allow me to weigh in on this.

Yesterday, my co-worker buddy Liz sent me this IM:

"Please tell me your thoughts: http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television"

 Share my thoughts? Don't mind if I do.

Before we tackle the article, let's tackle the TV show. CBS introduced Mike & Molly this year. I haven't seen the show and I have no interest in it, simply because I'm already addicted to too many TV shows as is - not because of the weight issue. It's only been on the air a couple of weeks, but viewers are watching. And people are commenting.

 
Now let's address the article that Marie Claire chose to publicize and post. Reading the URL title (and the headline of the piece: "Should 'Fatties' Get A Room? (Even on TV)?" was enough to get me to click. My jaw hit the ground (Did the word fatties really just appear in a headline?) and stayed there after the first two paragraphs. It didn't take me long to realize that Maura Kelly was right about one thing: she is "kind of clueless."

Now I completely understand what she said is a matter of opinion. I'm all about speaking your mind and sincerely believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Hence, this is me - speaking my mind - a main reason to blog at all. What I'm not all about is a lack of tactfulness. When addressing sensitive subjects, there's a certain approach that needs to be taken.
Approach.
Not attack.

She mentions "Now, don't go getting the wrong impression: I have a few friends who could be called plump". Too late. I already went and got the wrong impression and once again, I'm completely turned off. I start thinking would she think I'm plump? Then I realize I don't care what she thinks, but I read on. It's appalling and I know immediately this article is going to cause a stir - because it has in me. The manner in which this was presented is inappropriate and just downright mean.

She's right to compare obsesity with alcohol and drugs: "To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair." But her manner of comparison? No go, sister. A lot of things are "aesthetically displeasing," but that's life. Heck, Frank Sinatra even wrote a song about it.

Addiction is addiction.
A battle with food is just as much of a battle with drugs or alcohol.
All psychological fights.

As a mid-twenties female, I have been athletic and active all my life. Sure, I eat more candy/junk food than I should but I enjoy it. I don't mind running an extra half mile, mile, whatever, if needed. It's not an easy thing to lose weight. It takes commitment, dedication and above all - mental toughness to overcome the "I'll just have one" mindframe. I struggle with it everyday, but I don't let it consume me.

Maybe Maura is feeling ashamed about her words or maybe she took the article in a different direction than Marie Claire ever intended. That being said, I have a hard time believing she could be so ignorant as to think she wouldn't really and truly anger many, many, many people (weight has that effect as does money, religion, politics, shall I go on?).

I appreciate the attempted apology, but the writing tone is so completely different than the actual article - I'm second-guessing not only its sincerity, but also the fact that it was written by her.

It's been a while since I've had a venting post - but in a society where we're trying hard to teach girls it's okay to be whatever shape, size or color you are as long as you're happy. This article just really puts a damper on it all.

Liz has some thoughts too. And I'm loving her tactful manner of sharing her opinion too. Oh the irony!

Comments

L. said…
Love, love, love your thoughts, girlie!!
Anonymous said…
Apparently, she is a "recovering" anorexic. From my extensive experience as a college RA to many wonderful women who struggled with eating disorders, I'd say there is nothing "recovered" about her, and her self-loathing is probably all amped up over this mess.

So, I feel sorry for her. And very grateful to be comfortable in my own skin (even on the days I'm trying to shrink it).

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