Practically every person who is too heavy has met at least one weight bully in their life. That's the person who has no idea what it's like to be considered larger than the "average" person and proceeds to tell them that they should lose some weight, for their own good, of course.
Here's a surprise to all those people who have the audacity to interfere in another's personal business; heavy people know they might be large, and they do not need some know-it-all to tell them what to do!
Take the story of Wisconsin news anchor Jennifer Livingston. When she received an email from a viewer criticizing her weight, she didn't think too much of it. But then she thought about her daughters, other children, and viewers who might not be as emotionally strong as she is.
ABC Action News reports that on Tuesday, Livingston responded with a 4-minute segment on WKBT-TV in La Crosse, calling the man a bully. She said, among other things, that viewers should not allow such people to define their self-worth.
The viewer who sent the email, Kenneth Krause, wrote that he "was surprised to see her physical condition hadn't improved for years and hopes that Livingston doesn't consider herself a suitable example for young people, especially girls." Of course, this know-it-all claims that his emails have nothing to do with bullying. It's not? Then why is he pushing his opinion on Livingston? Was he asked for it? Is any of this his business?
"It's not what this one particular man said to me," Livingston said. "It's the reaction that what I am saying back to him and bullies everywhere."
In his first email to Livingston, Krause wrote that "obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make," then told Livingston to "reconsider your responsibility to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."
Here's another news flash for you, Mr. Krause, obesity is not a choice! As if overweight people enjoy walking down a street, minding their own business and hearing insults flung at them by total strangers, being discriminated against because of what they look like, having people believe that they're obligated to send unwanted emails to others, and worse, claiming that they're criticizing obese people to help them get healthier. All of this is nothing more than an excuse to make themselves feel better by belittling someone else.
Livingston acknowledged she was overweight, but said the man's words were cruel. "To all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now: Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies."
For every weight bully out there, take a long look in the mirror. Chances are very good that there are quite a few things that are far from perfect. One day the tables will be reversed, and the bully will be bullied by a person who thinks they are socially obligated to do so.
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Comments: 4
There are a lot of factors when people are overweight... and some are genetic, some are metabolism and some are medication related.
There is no reason to bully another person like that for anything.
I wish I had a dollar for every time people told me what a pretty face I had and how I should loose weight. Did that mean if I was Ugly it was okay with them? I even had one aunt tell me I would get along good with one of my cousins because we were "both big girls"... oh gee is it a club now?
To me it is ignorance. I've been thin, I've been fat... so take me as I am, because it's the heart inside that God sees and that is what counts.
NEXT THING you will accept is a strung out junkie as news anchor because it is bullying to point out THAT FACT too?
An over weight news anchor CAN BE a problem!
I have to disagree with this premise that it was bullying.
You people are too thin skinned about facts and truth.
What the heck - even I am FAT! ... but I am not in the public eye representing public standards.
Let's get serious. If you are over weight - so what as long as you are not prancing it out as a trophy.
FACT IS: Being complacent with serious health issues is harmful to people looking for an excuse to ignore facts.
Supporting the News Anchors attitude is called ENABLING ... part of a co dependent behavior - way to go geniuses!
FACT IS: Being over weight is adding to MANY health complications. Some surgeries require people to loose weight - but who cares so long as you can be fat and accepted - right?
A friend has an aneurysm and was bullied by the doctor
He was told he HAD TO loose weight before they can safely operate on it. YEAH! A potential life and death issue ... but as some of you act - my friend MUST HAVE BEEN BULLIED!
FACT IS: Weight Issues are at the core of
1- Heart Problems
2- Blood Pressure Problems
3 - Diabetes
... and many other issues
AND THE FINAL TRUTH:
My wife was over weight - in less than a year she lost over 100 pounds
She was over 235 and is as of this morning under 122.
... perhaps it's time to understand that truth hurts - but it does not make it any less the truth