TV Anchor Responds To Viewer's Attack On Her Weight

[HMSHood]

I'll agree to disagree on this one.

I read the original email sent. I read it as an attack based soley on her appearance.
The email writer seemed to imply Jennifer's appearance was a detriment to her job performance (i.e. "public personality").

Just as the email writer had a right to state his opinion, Jennifer had a right to respond.

Perhaps by referring to her as a "role model", I worded it too strongly. I do believe her response to the email set a good example for others. By that I'm referring to standing up for herself and not allowing someone to bully her.

As a society we may be becoming much worse than shallow. Intolerance is far worse in my opinion.

All JMO

I still think it was stupid on Krause's part. He is a lawyer and should know better.

 

[Hopeful One]

Children should not be using how a person looks to determine their role model value ... seriously.

Are we this shallow, really? Can we not look past someone's weight, skin color, clothing, whatever ... to the REAL person that makes them role model material?

I'm just ..... sad ... at how shallow we have become...

Sure we can. But the outside is our first impression of a person. That's just the way it works.

 

[Confusion]

In this day and age of rising obesity levels in young children (and people in general), shouldn't we want them to be as healthy as possible? Shouldn't we want the best possible health for them? How is that shallow?

How can Michelle Obama make all kinds of statements about how important exercise and a healthy body weight are, and she is applauded, but here, it's considered shallow?? Would Michelle Obama consider this newscaster as a poster child for her "healthy weight" campaign? Probably not. Would we call her "shallow?" Probably not.

BBM

Michelle Obama may make statements about how important exercise and a healthy body are, but I've never seen her address someone and say they're fat and bad role models for young girls. I know Oprah Winfrey has struggled with weight for years, but she was still considered to be a great role model even when she was heavy. I really don't even see Jennifer Livingston as being heavy enough to look unhealthy, and her job is to report the news not promote exercise and good health. It seemed to me that it was more just that this guy prefers to look it slim women.

 

[oh_gal]

BBM

Michelle Obama may make statements about how important exercise and a healthy body are, but I've never seen her address someone and say they're fat and bad role models for young girls. I know Oprah Winfrey has struggled with weight for years, but she was still considered to be a great role model even when she was heavy. I really don't even see Jennifer Livingston as being heavy enough to look unhealthy, and her job is to report the news not promote exercise and good health. It seemed to me that it was more just that this guy prefers to look it slim women.

But would Michelle Obama consider her a "role model" to portray a healthy body weight/image? Would that make Michelle shallow? Why not?

People can say, "Oh, we're not like that," (meaning, we can all say that it should be about the person on the inside, not their appearance) but I bet there are tons of stories about pretty, young and slim newscasters being promoted and getting breaks over their heavier counterparts. Look at what happened to Ann Curry. She was booted off the Today Show because she didn't portray the type of image that the powers that be wanted; the type of image they thought would "appeal" to the viewer base, whatever that means. Sure, she could dish out the news, but in that business, it's all about image.

Was the guy who wrote the email insensitive? Absolutely. Without a doubt, he's a dog. On the other hand, he didn't take out a billboard and make this email exchange public; she did. He was just expressing his personal opinion to her privately, whether people choose to agree with it, or not.

 

[daisy7]

I was referring, only, to the email writer's comment to the newscaster that she is not a role model with regard to having a healthy body weight. I happen to agree with him on this particular issue. Excess body fat can hide things, like tumors. It's not a slam on being overweight, it's fact.

Thank you.

I'm sorry that you are struggling with your weight I'm sure you are aware that people can be obese, simply because of genes and through no fault of their own? My neighbor's daughter (18yo) is overweight and would probably be considered obese. She definitely is careful about what she eats (salads for lunch and dinner and rarely eats any junk food). She goes to work out at the gym almost every morning. But, she just can't get her weight down, despite all she is doing.

I say this as a person who is thin, really (IMO), because of my genes. I definitely don't eat the healthiest diet, but I am still the same weight I was when I graduated from HS.

I have raised my 4 DS so that they (I hope) do not judge a person by their physical appearance, cuz that mean's nothing. Blue eyes, brown eyes, light skin, dark skin, born without a hand, uses a wheelchair, etc. -- it just doesn't matter. What matters is who the person is inside, not what they look like outside.

Is disheartening that a random stranger who doesn't regularly watch her news show felt the need to send her this e-mail.

 

[Confusion]

Was the guy who wrote the email insensitive? Absolutely. Without a doubt, he's a dog. On the other hand, he didn't take out a billboard and make this email exchange public; she did. He was just expressing his personal opinion to her privately, whether people choose to agree with it, or not.

So, if I were to send someone a PM on here saying, "You're fat so your opinion doesn't matter", it would be ok, but posting it on here it wouldn't be? To me, it's just as insulting and wrong either way.

 

[oh_gal]

So, if I were to send someone a PM on here saying, "You're fat so your opinion doesn't matter", it would be ok, but posting it on here it wouldn't be? To me, it's just as insulting and wrong either way.

Well, I guess I think there's a huge difference between telling someone something privately (and let's face it, not everyone is gifted with diplomacy; I know I sure have stuck my foot in my mouth on occasion regarding "delicate" issues), and posting it publicly. If he really wanted to be mean and nasty,he would have posted it on her facebook page. I don't think he was trying to be evil, but perhaps he needs to rethink his values, I don't know.

The only reason we're all aware of this is because she made it public.

Did he really say that "she's so fat, her opinion doesn't matter"? (I think I've only seen bits and pieces of his email).

 

[oh_gal]

]I'm sorry that you are struggling with your weight[/B] I'm sure you are aware that people can be obese, simply because of genes and through no fault of their own? My neighbor's daughter (18yo) is overweight and would probably be considered obese. She definitely is careful about what she eats (salads for lunch and dinner and rarely eats any junk food). She goes to work out at the gym almost every morning. But, she just can't get her weight down, despite all she is doing.

I say this as a person who is thin, really (IMO), because of my genes. I definitely don't eat the healthiest diet, but I am still the same weight I was when I graduated from HS.

I have raised my 4 DS so that they (I hope) do not judge a person by their physical appearance, cuz that mean's nothing. Blue eyes, brown eyes, light skin, dark skin, born without a hand, uses a wheelchair, etc. -- it just doesn't matter. What matters is who the person is inside, not what they look like outside.

Is disheartening that a random stranger who doesn't regularly watch her news show felt the need to send her this e-mail.

I'm not struggling..I'm winning. Ssssllloooowwwwllllyyyy. But winning.

 

[iamnotagolem]

No he didn't use the word fat. In fact, he didn't even call her overweight, just alluded to her unhealthy lifestyle.

Here is his letter:

"Hi Jennifer, It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular.

"Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."

 

[iamnotagolem]

Here I his follow up email:

"Given this country's present epidemic of obesity and the many truly horrible diseases related thereto, and considering Jennifer Livingston's fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region children by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer Jennifer any advice or support she would be willing to accept."

https://www.facebook.com/news8000?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

[passionflower]

I admire how she handled this bully.
IMO, no matter what your age..........there is always bullies.
Hey I have been 97 lbs and 189 over the years up and down.
Sick and healthy.
I do not need anyone telling me I am to skinny or to fat.
Or that I look good or I look bad..................
but people still do it.

 

[krkrjx]

I'll agree to disagree on this one.

I read the original email sent. I read it as an attack based soley on her appearance.
The email writer seemed to imply Jennifer's appearance was a detriment to her job performance (i.e. "public personality").

Just as the email writer had a right to state his opinion, Jennifer had a right to respond.

Perhaps by referring to her as a "role model", I worded it too strongly. I do believe her response to the email set a good example for others. By that I'm referring to standing up for herself and not allowing someone to bully her.

As a society we may be becoming much worse than shallow. Intolerance is far worse in my opinion.

All JMO

BBM: Exactly. And therein lies the problem for me.

To me this is not really an issue of healthy vs. unhealthy as much as an issue of someone making assumptions about another. If Mr. Krause knew for a fact that Ms. Livingston has made a choice (yes, in his initial e-mail he accused her of that) to be obese, it would put a different perspective on this situation. However, I do not believe he knows that to be the case; I believe he has assumed it to be the case. Even without actually saying thae words, Mr. Krause paints Ms. Livingston as most likely lazy and one who sits around all day eating unhealthy foods. However, most people are well aware that some people can eat healthy and be active and still be fat--the same way some can lie around all day eating junk food and never gain a pound.

To me it looks like Mr. Krause is not as interested in the betterment of society as he claims, but is more interested in wanting to state his personal opinion and to point fingers at someone whose physical appearance is not what he personally thinks it should be. That is wrong, IMO. And, IMO, Mr. Krause's actions make him not a good role model for his kids or grandkids.