I answered a question earlier today in a very honest and forthright manner by someone who is obviously obese and now claims he is PROUD of that fact. I got 6 thumbs down while everyone who was telling him "BRAVO!" "Good for you to have a positive body image" is getting all thumbs up. Am I the only one who realizes the very real dangers and consequences of being obese? Why should I jump on the politically correct bandwagon & say, "Oh, that's ok. Go ahead and kill yourself with food." Would that make me a better person?
Here is the link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApzZnXToe1Q4nFvl4dqcI93sy6IX?qid=20061205211022AAiIn69&show=7#profile-info-2f4b59cf57f85752db7308abe9129579aa
Do you think what I said was incorrect or mean?
Are we really so dumb now as a society to think this obesity epidemic is OK?
2006-12-06 10:18:23 · 5 answers · asked by Pamela 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The Grit....since you don't allow email it's hard to respond. If you wish to email me I would be happy to tell you my story and it's far from the picture you paint of me in this answer. As for thumbs down, I have never cared one flip about that. I am more concerned with telling the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts. Just because I didn't condone your behavior or offer the "that's ok" pat on the back to your previous question you saw it as a need to attack me. I wasn't attacking you I was simply telling the truth. As I said, if you wish to know more I would welcome an email from you.
2006-12-07 13:28:50 · update #1
One more thing...obesity is not a part of "who" somebody is. Obesity is a result of one's poor choices. Size 0 supermodels are not "who" they are. It's a result of their poor choices as well. Would you be so cold as to say "it's ok, let them have anorexia, it's who they are" or would you try to save them? It's double standards. Starving oneself is suicide the same as over-feeding oneself. Both need help.
2006-12-07 13:31:52 · update #2
Praising obesity is never okay. Being proud to be obese is never okay.
Your answer was not mean or incorrect. It really is upsetting that people think obesity is a disease. Personally, I think we should place taxes on all fast food and junk food, because obesity causes health problems, problems which put a great burden on the healthcare system. It is preventable and reversable, but people think otherwise, and get upset if we don't accept obesity as being normal/okay.
My mother and stepfather have been obese most of their lives, and have adopted two girls in recent years. I love everyone in my family equally, but I don't think people should go adopting when they have health problems. It's selfish.
2006-12-06 10:25:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm not proud of my obesity; I'm proud of who I am. Part of who I am is being fat. I accept that as a part of who I am right now. That could change. I could lose weight, and I'd still be proud of who I am. My outer physical appearance has very little bearing on what makes me proud to be me.
Your answer was honest, but it was insensitive, closed-minded, and under-informed. That's why you got so many thumbs down.
You are also making several assumptions. You assume that as a fat person, I eat uncontrollably. That's simply not the case. I watch my calories. I make it a point to eat in moderation.
No one was asking you to be politically correct. And there is no politically correct bandwagon.
The term "obesity epidemic" is a misnomer. The definition of epidemic is "an outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely." Obesity is not contagious. It is a term used by the medical industry and the media to give people something to get worked up about. If it was up to the medical industry, obesity would be a disease. Not only would this victimize fat people, but it would give the obese an excuse to be fat.
Also, you said in your response to the original question that the fact that the asker was proud of being lazy discredited that person. Clearly, you don't value being lazy as a personality trait, and that's your business. I do. I don't think of it any different as being active. It's just how some people are.
So, to answer your question, if you were more open-minded, sensitive, and curious about what life is like for fat people, that WOULD make you a better person in my eyes.
The fact that you are angry and concerned about this issue and how many people disagreed with you tells me you aren't secure in yourself or your answer. It also tells me you are relatively inexperienced and have a great deal to learn about life and other people.
2006-12-07 12:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
your statements make sense and even your personal background obviously has alot to do with how u feel but i overall agree with u.
Im sure u know as well as i do that some obesity factors are hereditary and/or come from disease and/or certain medicines taken, now those certain people u and I have no reason to blame them or discourage their actions.
Obesity is just becoming more accepted b/c more ppl are becoming that way so it becomes part of a "normal" lifestyle, its just something we now see everyday while walking down the street.
(i know it's hard to belive wit all the people and their liposuction surgeries and what the types if bodies the media portrays to us) but to a certain extent obesity is more accepted also.
What u said definatly is not incorrect but it is mean depending on the person, i don't think it's mean but of coarse the obese guy who asked the question thought it was.
2006-12-06 10:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by nena_phantasy11 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is good to have a positive body image. Everyone should love themselves no matter what. Should a person with cancer have self-hatred because the cancer might kill them? Only through self-love can anyone find the courage to change. Hatred, like yours, is destructive, never constructive.
I think you were pretty rude, yes.
And no, no one is saying that the obesity epidemic is okay. But people need to like themselves, no matter what size, shape or color they are. I am sorry that you feel the need to belittle and discriminate. Is that because YOU don't like yourself?
2006-12-07 11:42:24 · answer #4 · answered by Rosie Young 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When a person is proud of their obesity that means they are defendive about it,they feel insecure and they try to act like they like it cause they don,t want to do anything about it...You don,t have to jump on a band wagon and say its ok,it is never ok...They probably gave the bravo answer cause they felt sorry for the person......( I IS NOT COOL TO BE FAT) IT is BAD for your health PEOPLE........I will look on the link but whatever you said probably hit home.....You are right in thinking its not ok, I do hope some fat person will get hurt wnough that they will go on a diet.....Thanks for sharing
2006-12-06 10:37:57 · answer #5 · answered by slickcut 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋