Today a writer for Marie Claire magazine posted up a fat-bashing blog about a new TV show featuring an intimate couple of the obese variety. Needless to say the blog went viral, spreading across every social-networking site with individuals expressing both rage and concern. Today Marie Claire had pushed out a tweet stating that the writer had edited the blog with an apology and retraction, and after reading both I'm simply confused.
Now this is what really got me...
In the initial article Maura Kelly wrote that she would "be grossed out if [she] had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other." and also that " I have a few friends who could be called plump. I'm not some size-ist jerk."
I'd like to meet these friends, for one. I would wager their waist size is smaller than my thigh. Secondly, other than being completely uncalled for, to say that she wasn't being a "size-ist jerk" makes me wonder what it is she was really thinking. Would a woman who is a size 6 make her gag while a size 18 would induce a full-on wretch?
Throughout the whole column she implies that all fat people are working to lose weight and that they're unhappy with themselves and unhealthy, but never once does she mention that there are people who are happy with themselves exactly as they are, fat rolls and all, and that those people are within range of being healthy and active. I think the overwhelming deluge of comments is proof-positive that these people do in fact exist.
Something this careless could only have come from someone who was broken themselves. There's a bliss that comes with not being overly concerned with weight and body image, namely that when you look in a mirror, you're content with what you see. This is opposed to feeling that social pressure so acutely that you dissect yourself to the point where all you see are flaws. Ms. Kelly admitted in her retraction that she did struggle with anorexia and body image, and that her over-reaction came from those issues that she has with herself.
In all honesty, I pity her. I believe the insecurity that she has is all-too common with many varying forms. (Personally, I'm insecure about my mental acumen and strive to be as intelligent as I possibly can, I hate feeling stupid or belittled in that way and that's something I struggle with. No one is perfect, afterall) I also believe though that this is how prejudices and stigmas are born. Luckily today, the general population stood up and said differently, someday I hope this is the case for any similar situation.
In short, while no one is perfect, that doesn't mean you air out your insecurities by backlashing against the other side of the spectrum. And for heavens sake, fire the editor who allowed that to be published.
To read the full article by Maura Kelly: http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television
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