dongle extraordinaire

09/4/2008

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marco:
Study: ‘Weight-ism’ Is Bigger Than Racism (via emilyposts) … weight discrimination is spiraling upward, and that’s a dangerous trend that could add fuel to the obesity epidemic. The study argues that discrimination against fat people should be illegal, just like discrimination based on race, age, or gender. Personally, I don’t see the connection… being overweight is just as much of a lifestyle and personality decision as smoking, being annoying, or listening to bad music. Sure, it’s hard to change it once you’re there. But it’s not impossible, and it’s not the world’s fault that you got there in the first place. People shouldn’t be prohibited from thinking negatively of people who are overweight because of their decisions. (Also, this picture… they couldn’t have picked a better representative? Is that a pair of 2-liter soda bottles in that shopping bag?)

I’ll have to apologize for the tardiness of this but I’m just catching up on my dashboard and I had to post this for the shear ridiculousness of it all. Marco caught a lot of hell for this post —- my favorite being butterfly effect’s response, but more on that later —- and I’m going to have to say I agree with that he is saying. Sure obesity is a disease and there might be a slew of documented medical reasons that contributes to the growing trend in America. While I don’t think we should make it a point to humiliate anyone, especially obese people, I simply will not accept ‘There are so many reasons why people gain weight’ as a valid justification. Marco is right a lot of times being overweight is directly related to lifestyle choices. It’s not “dreadfully ignorant” it’s true. Sure, it’s hard to change it once you’re there. But it’s not impossible, and it’s not the world’s fault that you got there in the first place. Change is only possible for those who recognize a problem and are willing to take the steps required to remedy the situation. For starters, choosing to eat an educated diet and exercising regularly versus guzzling 2 liters. People shouldn’t be prohibited from thinking negatively of people who are overweight because of their decisions. Again, I agree. I can think whatever I want to think, however, I don’t think for a minute that he is advocating prejudice against fat people. I feel like the argument here is “thinking negatively about fat people is ignorant and insensitive” but turning a blind eye to a trend such as this is just as ignorant. America’s weight issues will have a serious impact on much more than just self esteem if it goes ignored.
What I’m taking from this whole debate: If I’m ever in a debate and find myself at a loss for words I’m going to use what I have called the Marco defense… “Is that a pair of 2-liter soda bottles in that shopping bag?” (Who calls them 2-liter soda bottles???) The second thing I’m going to take from this is a chuckle. One of BE’s counter-arguments was “Also many people who are very overweight suffered trauma as children and were never taught how to deal with their feelings, so they eat them.”
I’m pretty sure she didn’t mean for it to sound like that.

Study: ‘Weight-ism’ Is Bigger Than Racism (via emilyposts)

… weight discrimination is spiraling upward, and that’s a dangerous trend that could add fuel to the obesity epidemic.

The study argues that discrimination against fat people should be illegal, just like discrimination based on race, age, or gender.

Personally, I don’t see the connection… being overweight is just as much of a lifestyle and personality decision as smoking, being annoying, or listening to bad music. Sure, it’s hard to change it once you’re there. But it’s not impossible, and it’s not the world’s fault that you got there in the first place.

People shouldn’t be prohibited from thinking negatively of people who are overweight because of their decisions.

(Also, this picture… they couldn’t have picked a better representative? Is that a pair of 2-liter soda bottles in that shopping bag?)

I’ll have to apologize for the tardiness of this but I’m just catching up on my dashboard and I had to post this for the shear ridiculousness of it all.

Marco caught a lot of hell for this post —- my favorite being butterfly effect’s response, but more on that later —- and I’m going to have to say I agree with that he is saying. Sure obesity is a disease and there might be a slew of documented medical reasons that contributes to the growing trend in America. While I don’t think we should make it a point to humiliate anyone, especially obese people, I simply will not accept ‘There are so many reasons why people gain weight’ as a valid justification. Marco is right a lot of times being overweight is directly related to lifestyle choices. It’s not “dreadfully ignorant” it’s true.

Sure, it’s hard to change it once you’re there. But it’s not impossible, and it’s not the world’s fault that you got there in the first place.

Change is only possible for those who recognize a problem and are willing to take the steps required to remedy the situation. For starters, choosing to eat an educated diet and exercising regularly versus guzzling 2 liters.

People shouldn’t be prohibited from thinking negatively of people who are overweight because of their decisions.

Again, I agree. I can think whatever I want to think, however, I don’t think for a minute that he is advocating prejudice against fat people. I feel like the argument here is “thinking negatively about fat people is ignorant and insensitive” but turning a blind eye to a trend such as this is just as ignorant. America’s weight issues will have a serious impact on much more than just self esteem if it goes ignored.