| Sedimentary Rock | Really now, what is it about dumb fat people that is so mch worse than dumb thin people. Think about the young women, stick thin who thinkk it's a bright idea to wear hoochie clothes and invest more time in debating over lipstick than plolitical issues. Is that more acceptable because at least she's nice to look at and fits within societal norms? Where as if someone is obese and dumb, you can condescendingly sit on your thin or only slightly overweight arse and feel better and morally supperior because youb are convinced you may have more self-control or discipline than they do? What skin offf of your nose is it if someone doesn't look thin enough. Admittedly, that partiular woman was rude with her response about the elevator and I can understand the rant, it was rightly deserved. But to bash fat people who have lower IQ points, or may be perceived as dumb? How the hell is that any of your business?
And does the term stereotyping ever come into your mind? Did you know that thin people, regardless of race, income group and gender are viewed overall as more intelligent than the overweight, regardless of statistical data? In addition, just because someone speaks, in a class for example, that doesn't mean they have any intelligence whatsoever. Some of the smartest people stay quiet because they know they'll waste their energy, intelligence and fight a losing battle by engaging in discoure with morons who have preconceived ideas as to the nature of the world.
Moreover, really why is it appropriate in our society to comment on other people's bodies? Wheter they are fat, thin, average, have lost or gained weight? As a recovered anorexic I constantly heard people praising how thin I was, even when it was detrimental to my health. As someone who has since recovered and acheived a healthy and normal weight, I have also delt with comments such as , 'wow, she's really let herself go." I have not let myself go, rather I have gained control of my health and life. My point is you have no idea what places someone at their weight, and why does it need to be your business? Is it because you can't buy enough eye candy through the form of celebrity magazines, supermodel spreads and other forms of media that you think you're entitled to expect everyone in your world to be aesthetically pleasing to you? Do you think that your discussion about their health is really done in their best interest? If you wree really concerned about their health issues, you would be focusing on a healthy lifestyle, the side effect of which is a healthy weight, rather than the weight and IMAGE first. And you sure as hell wouldn't take such a condemning tone when broaching the topic.
In addition, your half hearted ass covering apology to the "big" members of this message board is not based in any form of true understanding, empathy or even tolerance. It's a sorry attempt to protect yourself from being flamed, or accused of discrimination. I'll grant you that what you've posted isn't discriminatory, no it is something much more insidious, harmful and dangerous-- prejudice. Discrimination can be made illigal, and pointed out in black and white. But prejudice, the attidtude, the statements that conceal a hidden agenda, masks insecurites and is ultimately slef serving and protective, no that is hidden behind half truths (such as being unfit and overweight is a helath risk, and that some people who are overweight do have nasty attitudes) to lead to large, sweeping generalizations, promote bias and fill the recipiant with shame, geelings of inferriority and guilt.
I say this not because I am fat, or thin, or recovered from an eating disorder. I say and post this because when I speak, engage in relationships with other people, perform my job I want people to see my intellect, both the brilliant aspects of it, the fallacies in it, I want them to see my passion for living, for being active, I want them to see who I am, not what I look like. I want to know that if I speak to someone, they are valuing what I say more than whether or not I come beautifully packaged. The artist Diego who painted some of the most passionate murals that brimmed with vivacity and energy weiughed over three hundred pounds and was known for eating whatever he wanted. But was he undisciplined? This man also spent 18 hours at a time painting and creating. His works greatly added to the Mexican culture. Einstein gave up on trying to control his hair and appearance, does this make him undisciplined and undeserving of being taken seriously? Carolyn Manheim is a large woman, overweight , and refuses to diet. however she is an excellent actresss. Should we take her any less seriously because she refuses to fight her body into a certain size.
Why must soemone's appearnace be "acceptable" before they are taken seriously in society? All the aforementioned people had to prove their worth to society before they were granted serious consideration. Yet that care and concern is freely granted to the attractive, the athletic, the intelligent who support the contemporary viewpoints the masses of humanity desperately cling to, or the rich.
Why are the fat on welfare any worse than the thin HIV?AIDS person on welfare. They made a chooice to have unprotected sex, or they received a transfusion too early, or were "infected".
Moreover, why are people so quick to place people in catagories? BugsBunny, I'm sure the "class clowns" and "class slut" had names in your class. Why do you not allow them the dignity of posessing it? Surely the young woman was more than her sensuality and the "clowns" more than their sense of humor? Perhaps because it simplifies your world for you, you don't have to accept them as other people, JUST LIKE YOURSELF, and you can return to whatever eaily and comfortable archetype resides in your mind?
I guess the thing that pisses me off most is this overwhelming refusal to allow other people to be more than merely a label, to grant them the decency of being seen as an individual who is unique, flawed and yet, the only one like them, with strengths and weaknesses, with a history and a future. Especially when the indivduals who post such infantile labels turn around and beg for other people to pay homage to their uniqueness and supperior ability to be themselves. It speaks of insurprssable pride; this assuming that based on a person's appearnace alone you may judge them, and find them wanting. As I mature (granted I only have eighteen years accomplished so far) I am aware of my own failings and falliabilty. And as I am aware and appropriately humbled by the knowledge that I have not yet become perfect-- I become more compassionate to those who's flaws are easily apparent to me. They to are human, they most likely see things in me that are obnoxious and they are also responsible for themselves and since they are alive, they are in the process of changing as well. Maybe what I hope to encourage everyone who has read this to do is to cultivate compassion, and a sense of humanity. The supperiorty cloak ya'll are wearing with your veiled words and pointed insults just isn't very flattering for you. It makes your moral character look anorexic.
With much thought,
Annie |