Beautiful. Talented. Funny. Successful.
PERIOD.
So here’s the thing about body fat: it’s not a problem unless you’re the one carrying it around AND you’re the only one it’s causing issues for AND you don’t like the ramifications of said issues.
Can we be done now?
Nope. We can’t, because this is America, and America on the whole does not love the chub. We are also a place where FOX News uses Twitter to find fat-shaming tweets they fashion into springboards for insightful analysis and criticism of hot-button and relevant topics.
Nah, I’m totally fucking with you. FOX just wants to put fat people in their big, fat place.
To be fair, fat shaming is not a FOX monopoly. It’s a TV, magazine, internet, radio, movie, your-mother-in-law, kid down the street, and random dude on Twitter issue. It’s, well, everywhere. And everyone is doing it.
That said, on Monday FOX News host Neil Cavuto welcomed nutritionist Keren Gilbert to his show, with what appears to be the sole intention of baiting her into calling Grammy winners Kelly Clarkson and Adele “fat.” And oh, how she delivered:
Of Adele and Kelly Clarkson, Gilbert says they are:
“obviously disciplined and hard-working. They both came from low means and now they were accepting Grammys last night – the highest honor you can get in the music industry – and you know what? They are beautiful women, but…”
But. But. BUT.
But sorry, ladies! It’s not enough! All your “accomplishments,” your “hard work,” your “Pop Vocal album” and “Album of the Year“? They don’t matter. And not because you didn’t earn them through hard work and sacrifice the likes of which many of us will never know. Nope — it doesn’t matter because you are considered “fat.” Oh, and worse! You both came from “low means,” so you were poor, too? Won’t you just fuck off already you waste of space creatures who bring nothing to our wealthy, well-toned-abs-only table?
While Keren reiterates again and again that she is definitely not judging the women on their personal appearance, she totally is. As soon as she interrupted her run down of the women’s positive traits with the word ‘but,’ judging commenced: Adele is hard-working, BUT… And Kelly Clarkson is talented, BUT…
You have a Golden Globe and a Grammy? Great! Now lose 20 pounds so we can be happy for you.
The “but” seems to be (drum-roll, please…) WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?
Gilbert is concerned that people might look at these two women as (gasp!) role models. One shudders at the thought, because, well, they’re not skinny enough! But wait, you say. Aren’t they also at the pinnacle of their caree…Doesn’t matter. But didn’t they both just win a….Please! They’re “fat” remember? None of is important, you silly cow! Now please, commence with saving the children from these horrible examples, because that is what is going to happen. Gilbert says she is afraid that people – kids even- may see these women and say to themselves, “Hey, look! Look what she’s accomplished! I could be overweight like her! I don’t need to address these issues in my life.”
Yes. Yes; Gilbert really said that and meant it as a warning, but really, she’s not saying anything that millions of other people aren’t thinking.
Attempts to cloak this outright discriminatory and shaming criticism under the guise of being “for health reasons” is complete and utter bullshit. It’s bullshit wrapped in a cheeseburger, dipped in a chocolate milkshake and rolled in Skor bits that you totally should eat if you want it, but it’s bullshit none the less. Body fat in “excess of normal” makes us uncomfortable for reasons varied and complicated and intricate and “for health reasons” is pretty far down on that list.
Why aren’t we ragging on celebrities who smoke? Smoking is an absolute choice and no one seems to be leading a FOX News charge about that health issue.
But…but…but…
Sure, you may sing super-good and all, but I wear a smaller size jeans, so ultimately I’m a better person than you.
Right.
Read more: Rex Reed Calls Melissa McCarthy “A Hippo”
source, source, source, source
About Jeni Marinucci
