It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.
I could write for hours about how ignorant and judgmental this man is. Nobody, clearly, makes a choice to be obese--and looking at a person gives no indication as to his or her actual health. Many larger individuals eat healthier foods and maintain more physically active lifestyles than thinner individuals. Only a doctor is qualified to determine just how "dangerous" Jennifer's "choice" may be for her.
The larger issue is that this man felt it was somehow his civic duty to comment on Jennifer's weight--as if it is within his right to do so. Moreover, he felt justified in doing so because she is a "poor" role model. This entitlement mentality regarding weight does exponentially more harm than viewing any "overweight" person on television. Weight is the last acceptable discrimination. People feel emboldened and empowered to comment on any person's weight: "She's so skinny! Look how huge he is; does he ever stop eating? That woman better stop eating for two; it's going to be hard to lose that once the baby's born."
We have become programmed as a society to hone in on a person's exterior, examining every nuance for flaws, and when we detect any flaws, we see no problem in drawing attention to all that we see is wrong.
This mentality is everywhere: from television, to advertisements for weight loss, to contradictory tabloids that will announce Jessica Simpson looks amazing one week and frumpy/fat the next week. It is easier to blame the fat man eating a McDonald's quarter pounder than it is to blame the society that created the quarter pounder and the incendiary media. We label obesity and eating disorders as choices, not products of a society that loads a gun and lies in wait for the pull of a trigger. We think we know, we think we understand, but in reality, we are misguided, and our ignorance only continues to feed the fire.
I admire Jennifer. I love that she dresses her shape well, stands tall and proud, and speaks with authority. She illustrates that beauty doesn't fit a certain mold, and that being larger than society's vision of perfect doesn't mean having to hide in shame. Jennifer is modeling to girls the importance of loving oneself regardless of one's size. She is modeling self-respect. She is more of a role model than the contestants and trainers on the Biggest Loser, Jennifer Hudson, or any other media personality who proudly unveils a smaller, "healthier" self.
Society needs to be a positive role model to our girls, and this man simply reinforced all of the stereotypes and judgments that work to load the gun for our youngest and most vulnerable. Let's learn to appreciate people for who they are and who they are, alone. Let's show our girls what beauty really looks like.
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment