There is a discussion over at Mefi about a student’s complaint that the co-eds at his school are fat. Orange swan’s comments put into words how I feel about the situation. If someone has a weight problem, who cares about the media hype? That shouldn’t be used as an excuse. If your doctor says your weight is a health concern, actions should be taken.
However, like a white person discussing racism, some feel you can’t speak about weight problems if you aren’t overweight. To that I say, I may be a stick figure now. I may even have to run around in the shower to get wet, but metabolism can’t keep up with food consumption forever and sooner or later I’m going to be concerned about my weight.
It’s ridiculous for anyone to say you can’t express an opinion on ANY issue if you aren’t part of the issue, since by that logic I couldn’t complain about murder, since I haven’t been murdered and I’m not a murderer. The distinction to be made is that if the issue immediately effects you, you probably have more knowledge about it, all things otherwise equal. It’s ignorance posing as candidness that ought to be done away with, in my opinion.
I like what pjgulliver said here. There are exceptions of course, but no one can deny the population is becoming increasingly (and unhealthily) obese.
pjgulliver took a lot of heat for his comments but he made some valid points. He went kind of overboard though, and admitted as much later on in the thread.
I speak as one in the dangerously overweight category. I have yo-yo dieted, lost and gained lots over the last 12 years. I have never demanded that my weight problem be “accepted” but I never stood for rudeness either.
I agree that it is a problem which can impact society in regards to comfort, insurance, etc.
What is important to realize, however, is that everyone has vices. Some are more visible than others. Obesity, drinking, smoking… we can visibly see the results of those problems. There are other vices that are not so visible yet impact society and the individual as well. They are just easier to hide.
As for my vice, I’m working on it but not dieting anymore. I’m changing my approach to food and lifestyle. It’s the only way I believe a change will last.
I think pjgulliver was fine. He tried hard to be non-offensive and that’s pretty much impossible here. I don’t think he went overboard — just trying to excuse himself if he offended anyone. His points are that as a whole, the population is getting more obese, it’s unhealthy, it comes down to choices, and that there’s always exceptions (evilcupcakes). People weren’t willing to realize that he left plenty of room for exceptions — they’re just so sensitive about the issue that they take offense easily.