Background: More than 130 million Americans live with obesity, with Minnesota ranking 26th in states impacted by obesity. Over 34% of Minnesota residents are affected by obesity, and another 35% by overweight. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their size or weight, yet many face bias for living with obesity on a daily basis. The St. Paul Saints mascot name does real harm, reinforcing negative attitudes, beliefs, judgments, and stereotypes that lead to discriminatory acts aimed at individuals simply because of their weight or diabetes status. It is also dehumanizing and damaging, wherein it causes poor physical and psychological health outcomes and promotes a social norm that marginalizes people with obesity and diabetes. Now is the time to tell the St. Paul Saints to change the mascot’s name.
Take Action Now: Use OAC’s advocacy tool below to urge the St. Paul Saints baseball team to change their mascot name.
It’s Easy to Advocate! Use our easy automated message generator below to get started. You’ll find an easy-to-use template letter to get you started, and we encourage you to personalize this letter before sending by including your personal story.