News Anchor Called Fat, Goes OFF on Bullying in Awesome TV Tirade
by Free Britney at .A news anchor in LaCrosse, Wis., received a harsh email from a viewer about her weight and responded with an awesome, televised tirade against online bullying.
Jennifer Livingston of WKBT-TV read this letter from a viewer:
“Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain,” the viewer wrote, for no reason at all.
“I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Livingston’s husband, a fellow WKBT anchor, posted the email on Facebook and received an outpouring of support. Moved by this, she called the writer out as a bully.
“The truth is I am overweight,” Livingston said.
“You can call me fat and yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart. To the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that? Your cruel words are pointing out something I don’t see?"
"You don’t know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family, and you admitted that you don’t watch this show so you know nothing about me besides what you see on the outside - and I am much more than a number on a scale.”
After pointing out that this kind of behavior likely influences the man's kids to behave the same way at school and perpetuate the cycle, she concluded, “We are better than that bully. We are better than this email. We are better than the bullies that would try to take us down.”
Amen.
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Comments (30 Total)
Question, was it bullying or a belief or opinion voiced by someone? This is America, and we still have freedom of speech. I am overweight myself, I don't like it, and fortunately my health allows me to do something about it, so I am. If she likes how she looks, that's what counts, regardless of what someone else says. Overweight or not, we can still be pretty, attractive, and well dressed and successful; just look at the plus size fashion industry. The idea that if someone says something that isn't nice or is rude, describes bullying is crazy. Life is sometimes hard, and in opinion, being successful, means being happy with within oneself, knowing when to roll with the punches, and when or if to punch back. I wonder if on that particular day, she may have really felt more personally attacked than bullied: I'm sure this is not the first, and won't be the last of comments, she'll hear about her weight, given today’s portrayal of beauty.
Wow, I am very surprised by the negative comments posted on here. The point is, who was HE to tell her that she should go and lose weight? who was HE to judge her? It was none of his business! To the judgemental people who commented and judged this lady as "it needed to be said" or "she watches too much tv" You do not even KNOW her. I'm not anyone should feel sorry for anyone who is overweight, the point is you have no business judging anyone who is overweight or heavy. You don't know why they are at that weight. We all have addictions. We all have problems. Grow up and stop judging other people. Look in the mirror. No one is perfect, and you are no exception.
She responded with a statement at the end saying that peopel are bullied by their race, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation. These things are not chosen by these people. You don't choose what color you are or what race you are or even whether you are gay or straight ( askk the gay comminuty; it chooses you ). However, obesity is chosen. She is a role model and has a responsibility, as part of her job, to portay a responsible person. I read somewhere that it stated she was a triathlete and has a thyroid problem. Well we all have excuses now don't we not to be the best we can intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
She sounded like she has alot of pent-up anger and her weight is a touchy subject with her. She should of just ignored the comment instead of being unprofessional, on the air. Who was the bully? They both are guilty.
This site has some great comebacks for when some bully calls you fat: http://www.ishouldhavesaid.net/2012/02/you-are-so-fat-more-comebacks/