This letter is a response to online writer Sushmitha Suresh’s article “YouTube video sparks controversy over fat shaming”

[quote]By Joel Nanni
Guest Writer
Graphic by Drew Danko[/quote]

I’d like to begin by stating that I by no means support Nicole Arbour’s message. Body positivity is a great thing, don’t get me wrong. Everyone should love themselves no matter what the situation. At the same time, we live in a society that has interventions for those who abuse hard drugs, subjects citizens to graphic anti-smoking campaigns, and heavily scrutinizes drinking alcohol. But why doesn’t anyone say anything to the morbidly obese man who eats 8,000 calories worth of McDonald’s and is stuck to the couch? Is killing yourself one way any different than another or is it the fact that you’ll be bothered by people for “fat shaming”. I’m not referring to someone slightly overweight – you can be healthy without being incredibly thin. I’m not saying walk up to a stranger and tell them to put down the food. I’m not talking about insulting someone with what you may think are good intentions. But, when you get the chance to help a friend, family member, or even merely a classmate, take it. Being supportive or at least leading them to help can be huge. The person needs to want to make a change themselves; there is no rehab for food and lack of exercise, nor do most people seek psychological help for the same issue. These people’s weight is ignored until type 2 diabetes or heart disease brings it out of hand, and simple diet and exercise aren’t enough.

You cannot compare this issue to race or sexuality, aside from a few medical conditions, people are not naturally overweight. It’s as if you are comparing my haircut to something I cannot change about myself, like being Caucasian. Lack of financial stability is a lazy excuse to this problem, with minimal effort and research you can be as healthy as you want. If you have time for cooking you can afford healthier options from a grocery store. But, you can be healthy regardless even if it means eating fast food and just paying attention to portions. In the film “Portion Size Me” two Eastern Illinois students eat fast food for 30 days and remain healthy, while actually losing weight because they ate in correct portions. Go to McDonald’s and get a grilled chicken sandwich with water instead of a Big Mac with a large Coke and french fries. It isn’t an issue of financial security, it is an issue of laziness and no desire to be healthy.

I don’t think fat shaming will solve anything in the end. That being said, I don’t think being body-positive to a point where ignoring a huge issue that will shorten your life will either. There needs to be a happy medium: helping without hurting. We need to say what needs to be said directly, and it may even come off as hurtful at first. I personally will not sit idly by as I watch a friend or family member kill themselves slowly, even if that means I am “fat shaming”.