So I was really planning to make my first post a sort of a get-to-know-me type of thing. I was going to write about my ideas and opinions and really make a great first impression. But recently, I've witnessed a barrage of ignorance about body shapes, so I figured I would offer a reality check instead.
There is a lot of hate directed at obese people, which seems a little hypocritical considering we are literally living in one of the fattest nations in the world. You would think that in America, people would be much more accepting. But they aren't. All over the place, online and in real life, I see people making the most ignorant and hateful statements about people whose only crime is daring to exist while fat. I have heard people say that fat people are disgusting, are bringing up our healthcare costs (not actually true), and I have even heard some go so far as to say that fat people should not be allowed to exist. I mean, what I would really like to know is how the body of someone else affects your life so profoundly that you feel the need to be so hateful? Seriously, what is your problem? If fat people are such a bother to you, then you should probably just sit down for a moment and reevaluate your life. No one is asking for your opinion.
Another thing that really bothers me is when someone who is fat shaming claims that they "are only concerned for their health." This is really problematic for several reasons. First of all, nobody has asked for your advice in the first place. It is not your place to tell someone how they should be living their life. Also, fat does not mean unhealthy. There are plenty of people who are fat and get plenty of exercise, and eat perfectly healthy. Sometimes, that's just how somebody's body looks. If you believe there is such a thing as "naturally skinny," then why is "naturally fat" such a far fetched idea? And even if they are eating "unhealthy," it is still absolutely none of your business. Nobody has to justify their existence to anybody else. Would you be complaining if a skinny person was eating oreos? I don't think so.
The bottom line is that people are people, and fat people are deserving of the same respect as anybody else. If your opinion is anything other than that, do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself.
Saskia, you make a great point, especially the part about "naturally fat". It makes perfect sense. You know I am not the smallest person, and yes I am fat, but your absolutely right, people always made fun of me for being a little bigger. Yeah I cant help it, I'm just built that way, so was my father, It does have to do with what I eat, but you are right, it is no ones business but my own.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you preach the truth. I have a sister myself and she constantly is fat-shaming tons of people whenever we go out. "Why is she wearing that? That seriously looks ugly on her." is what my sister would say. She constantly puts other people down just to make herself feel better. She's a toothpick herself, which makes her seem like a merciless, mean, person. I love you Saskia, well done.
ReplyDeleteThis post is absolutely AMAZING. I sincerely enjoy your writing style! The topic is very controversial, and you do absolutely FANTASTIC job at getting your point across effectively. I will definitely be returning to your page just because of how you write!
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you on everything. I hear some of the mean these mean comments in the hallways of school, and it makes me realize that people can be cruel to others just because of how they look. More people need to start talking about this topic, because it is a major issue and needs to end.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that no one should EVER be judged on their weight. People are born the way they are and it's no one else's business but their own. No one has the right to judge others looks.
ReplyDeleteMe who's even thin gets teased for my weight. Its really annoying. As a child people assumed I was anorexic. This one time I tried to approach a group of girls to befriend them at some summer camp. One of the girls looked at me in disgust and asked in an overly exaggerated motion
"ARE YOU ANOREXIC?!" umm no. Are you rude? Yes. Needless to say my confidence was shot that day and I didn't end up making any new friends.
Even recently friends have teased me about my frail wrists, jokingly say they could snap me in 2. Friends have told me that some guys even hate girls who are thin, saying their too boney and it's gross. Even my best friends have compared their bodies to mine and that's something I wish they didn't do. Although cliché as it sounds everyone is beautiful.
There really is no escape, people will judge you underweight or overweight that's society for you. But if you ask me society's is stupid.
It's sad how many people get judged on just how they look, and not what's on the inside. This world is cruel and sometimes people just don't care about what they say or how they affect others. I think that more people should take the time to not judge people, but get to know them and see how they are as a person as opposed to what they look like.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree any more with this post! It really is an awful thing that needs to brought to attention, and you did just that. As I was reading, it's like I could feel your rage of the matter, that is a difficult thing to achieve! You have a really powerful way of presenting your arguement and that is another reason why I really enjoyed reading this post. I really look forward to reading more from you, and you can surely bet on it that I will be returning to your page frequently!
ReplyDeleteI really hate how people judge the way they are by their appearance. People should not judge one by the way they look because most of the time, they turn out to be someone completely different. Pretty interesting topic you brought up though. I'll be sure to drop by more often.
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