Last week, a blogger for Marie Claire magazine made some unsavory comments about the main characters on the hit prime time comedy show ( insert). (Insert name and blog) wrote about her disgust with even watching the actors on television – because of their excessive weight (Who does this?). (insert quote) Her commentary included sentiments that are probably shared by many Americans, which was based in a prejudice for the obese and severely overweight. She has received a lot of negative criticism over her comments and has since apologized and explained that her judgment was prompted by her own insecurities and previous battles with anorexia. The take home point? 
“Let’s all be accepting of people – red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight.” Now, seriously, let’s really look at this for what it is. There are two things going on here – 1) a judgmental (Read: skinny bitch) blogger that chose to express her views outside the comforts of her own private social settings with other like-minded people (read: more skinny bitches); and 2) a blogger that simply chose to express her disappointment in a socially accepted epidemic. Out of respect for Marie Clare’s PR team, I will give a simple *side eye* and go with option #2.
Not more than a decade or two ago, being overweight had quite a negative stigma. There was discrimination and social judgment as obese Americans (or those with a BMI over ___ *cough*) were labeled as lazy, sloppy, etc. Now, fast forward to 21st century USA and here we are the fattest nation in the world (see Fast Food Nation and other embarrassing public documentaries). While the standard in the entertainment and fashion industries may be a size 0-4, the average American woman is a size 12. Recently, CNN reported on the expansion of the American waistline – Has overweight become the new normal? This is such an epidemic in our country that retailers have even bought into vanity sizing (labeling a larger size garment at a reduced size) and the first lady Michelle Obama has championed fighting childhood obesity as her cause de jure. Between life’s pressures, stress, unhealthy eating habits, stress, limited access to reasonably priced health food options, stress, and lack of exercise – many Americans are doomed to walk the obesity green mile. Even further, body image is more important to most Americans than the actual scale. Oh, you don’t believe me? See Tasha with the humongous booty (but tight waist), thick thighs, boobs, curvalicious hips, BMI of 35 and find me 5 black men men that don’t think that she is FI-INE! Exactly. But, it doesn’t end there. Singer Monica – a tall Atlanta-based bombshell and size 6 (at most) has publicly commented on the fact that she has high blood pressure. In most cases, Americans are completely content with this startling reality.
That’s a doggone shame (me, talking to myself – feel free to Amen here). Side note: technically, my BMI is on that line between normal and overweight, which is why I have to stand my ground and give the BMI advocates and researchers a *side eye*. Thanks, Management.
So, what do we do? Well, first and most importantly, ignore skinny, anorexic-prone women (read: bitches – Monique’s word, not mind) that think that anyone over a size 6 is a fat, nasty, lazy, poor and sloppy person. Because of public sympathy for the victims and hate/jealousy of the attackers, jt only breads more sympathy to social acceptance of a potentially deadly and 100% preventable condition (obesity – in case you snoozed). Secondly, please stay on top of all of your physical indicators (e.g. weight, blood pressures, cholesterol levels), exercise regularly (make it work with your lifestyle), and eat to live, don’t live to eat. That’s easy right? Yes, that’s why Americans are the fattest kids on the block. The most disconcerting aspect of the obesity epidemic is that it is 100% preventable. Wevegottodobetter.com