I was watching the movie Phat Girlz and I can tell you for myself that although this movie was meant to be comedic the movie destroyes the sterotypes of both Africans and fat people. In a society were size zero is coveted but size 14-22 is the reality and the growing problem and were immigrants and in this case Africans are thought of as scammers and those who just want green cards. The movie trys to destroy those sterotyes. I remember watching the Today show on NBC when they announced that some women would rather have a paycut than be fat, the idea that society does not believe that you can be fat and beautiful is appalling. Please do not tell me those commercials for Dove are really helping the idea of loving yourself because there are 50 commercials and reality shows that says different.For example, America's Next Top Model,The Swan etc. In Phat Girlz they use both the idea that society hates fat people and the idea that fat people want to be like skinny people. In this movie they also show that when all else fails loving yourself in the end is most important. But the movie does not just tackle the idea that fat people have problems in this society that calls us the Land of the Free, people who come from other countries are having problems. The idea that all African men marry American women fro a green card as well as most immigrants are uneducated. This are in the forefront in our society, and a social issue is that African or African American men can be faithful to one person has been something that most black women in every community is constantly mauling over. The Oprah show and other media have mentioned the undercover brother a man who is having a relationship with both men and women. in this movie they try to diapel the fact that men can love fat women and be in a realtionship that is both loving and monagmous. the idea that African men can be educated, loving and not the oppressive , dominating partner is really focused on in this movie. The question that I left with is how I can improve relationship with the growing immgrant population? How can I as a person stop the mental discrimanation that I have when I see fat people. The idea that this can happen is our responsiblity.
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I haven't seen the movie, but it sounds interesting. I want to see it, now.
As for your first question, I think one of the great ways to improve relationships with immigrants is to find out all you can about the culture they came from. Try and take on their perspective. If they can see that you're trying to understand them, then they might realize that not all Americans judge based on stereotypes.
My answer is basically the same for your second question. Research, research, research. Research everything from medical causes of fat, to discrimination of fat people, to stigma. Then see if your attitude has changed.
What you are actually taking about is discrimination. And discrimination nowadays is almost as 'active' as ever (even if we all try to avoid this). Maybe what we should all do is promote a better education to ourselves and to everyone asround us, to our children, to our elders.