So, a local news reporter got an e-mail from someone who claimed to rarely, if ever, watch her show. But the person from LaCrosse, Wisconsin felt the need to write a long letter that rails on her weight and suggests that she is not at all a role model to young girls.
Well, Jennifer Livingston decided to respond.
Prepared to laugh the message off, it was her colleagues and her husband – a fellow anchor – who encouraged her to actually talk about the letter on the air.
Lee already handles the subject matter and commentary on the response perfectly. So I’m just going to let that sit up there and note some YouTube comments, because I made the mistake of reading them.
johnsedwards: Criticism does not equal bullying. Obesity is a technical term, so if you are obese on a doctors chart, you are indeed obese. In addition to teaching our kids to be kind, why not teach them to be healthy as well?
1) Imbecile is also a technical, medical term. Yet I would be (rightly) called an ass if I said you were an imbecile. 2) Teaching kindness does not preclude teaching healthy living. And in case you missed something, you don’t know Ms. Livingston. You have no idea what precipitated her weight gain. You don’t know her story.
Kat Haus:
“bullying” – a private e-mail to a public figure, carefully worded with a valid point is not equivalent to bullying.
“attacker” – a hypersensitive individual who recognizes truth in the advice might perceive the email as an attack.
“fat” – the email never mentioned “fat”, only pointing out the (obvious) fact that she is clinically overweight. If you don’t like being called “fat”, try exercise or diets.
“thick-skinned” – obviously not thick enough. Who reads every email in their inbox anyways.
“Valid” is subjective. I’m sure “private e-mail to a public figure” is to suggest that it’s totally fine to do that, which a public figure is still a human being. “Hypersensitive” is equally subjective. You also assume what’s going on in Ms. Livingston’s head.
badonkadonk34: ”kind and not critical” is what got this country in trouble. that email was thoughtful and well written. I’m sure her BMI is 30+ – she will likely leave her three young children at a young age – if she would commit to lose a bit a weight she would be better off. She doesn’t need to look like Giselle but she looks very unhealthy. On another point – if she wants to be obese – no worries – just do it. But don’t rant for 4 minutes about bullying. Good luck.
Yeah, just take e-mail upon e-mail hating on her appearance to go without comment. Yeah, let the jerks hate you for your appearance and allow them to believe that it’s acceptable. When it is entirely not. “Kind and not critical” is what got this country in trouble?
Might I suggest you read up on the Lend-Lease Act? Kindness was what brought us into such a great standing in the world, long before we held dominance militarily.
Read your history books.
Okay, guys, I’m done.
Question:
