There’s an interesting debate that’s been building for a long time in regards to the notion of “fat shaming” — essentially, it’s thin people making commentary on Facebook and social media about what they think is right in regards to body size. Oftentimes it comes out as meaner than perhaps intended, but the belief is that sometimes it’s necessary to be this mean — it’s the only way overweight people will “listen,” hence the “shaming” part. Believe that if you want, or don’t — that’s one viewpoint in a growing storm.
The latest talking point is in regards to a fitness trainer who posted a photo to Facebook he took of an enormously overweight person at Busch Stadium during a St. Louis Cardinals game. Though her face is not visible and he doesn’t identify her by name, the fact that he did such a thing — even making commentary on her eating habits — is invoking the “bully” word. As in, the trainer Keith Hausher bullied this woman and has now opened up a can of worms. As he tells it on his company’s Facebook page where he posted the photo, he’s also not backing down from his actions. He points out that the story took on a slant via the news reporting of it that he did not intend — his point was that the people who sat beside this individual should be allowed to enjoy the game comfortably, which is a fair point as well.
But here’s where things get sticky. See in commenting on issues like this one, people who are standing up for the “body love” agenda frequently engage in bullying of their own. Take, for instance, this female commenter who posted the comment that Hausher probably has a small dick. Because people who are mean are compensating for something evidently.
Do you see how that doesn’t work though? How that negates every argument you are making if you use a bullying tactic to fight bullying? And yet, it’s one of the most common methods of retaliation online — to call someone stupid or moronic or fat or thin or ugly or having a small dick or small breasts, reducing who they are to a single concept if we don’t agree with their comments.
See, if you’re interested in removing bullying as you claim to be, you don’t get to do that. That is the realm of bullies. You might not agree with Mr. Hausher’s viewpoints, but that doesn’t make him stupid, ugly or the owner of a tiny p*nis. Even if he does have a tiny p*nis, why would you use that as a judgment of him as a person?
If the internet hasn’t collectively made us more angry as a society it has certainly made us more aware of other people’s anger. But if we’re going to stomp out bullying and intolerance and be a better society for it, we can’t throw self-righteous anger at self-righteous anger. That isn’t going to solve anything.
You kept dick in the article but wrote penis with a * in it? ;P
I was the person that commented on the tiny penis. what was said was there were surgeries and pills that she could take that would help this person with her weight. My response was, this man could have a tiny penis and there are surgeries and pills and gadgets that could help him, but that isn’t any of my business. Which it isn’t and neither is this woman’s weight. His penis size is personal to him just as much as her weight is to her. None of my business, none of his business. I did not say he was being mean by compensating for his shortcomings. I wanted him to realize he is stepping into an area that was none of his business. He would not like a picture of his crotch posted on a Facebook page for everyone to comment on.
a strange man’s penis size is not going to prevent you from enjoying your own seat at a game or on a flight. That is the point being made.
No and my point was that his penis size was not my business neither was her size. It did not cause him any issues. If it caused the people beside her issues they could of dealt with it. He assumed they left because of her. It could of been due to other reasons. He doesn’t know. In fact she had lost over 140 lbs and was celebrating the fact by going to a game and he destroyed this milestone for her. She has rights too.
Could HAVE
What you did was the exact same thing he did, effectively bringing you down to his level. Nobody wants to be on that level. Don’t reduce yourself to that.
I did not assume the man had a small penis. I don’t care nor is it my business. What I was pointing out was that neither is her weight. Someone suggested medication or surgery. I suggested the same could be done for small penises but it’s no ones business. It’s a personal private decision that should not be broadcast on Facebook for others to make opinions on.
You said some stupid shit and your trying to make yourself out to have taken the high road… Besides all of that, what your saying doesn’t make sense either. In my opinion, no matter how vile or inappropriate, Hauhser had some good points. You said it was no ones business with the women being obese, just like it was no ones business if the guy had a small dick. Problem with that argument is that if your the couple sitting next to the obese women, it is your business. No one will know, or likely will care about a dudes small dick. It doesnt effect anyone. Look, I do not condone the public smearing of Hauhser, but again in my opinion, when your too overweight to function as a human being in a public society, it effects society.. With that being said, who’s the asshole? The women that is occupying 2 seats in ANY venue, or the guy who says “Hey, WTF? This isnt cool.”
Everyone is entitled to there opinion, I myself think that the guy has some real, valid points. I myself have encountered obese people in close proximity and I have to tell ya, very few have manners. (Making alot of noise when eating, eating with your mouth open, sticking your fingers in orifices while others are eating… GENERAL MANNERS) If you choose the lifestyle of obesity (may or may not be a ideal situation, but hey, YOU choose to eat the things you eat and YOU choose not to exercise. Your a fucking adult, deal with the repercussions of your choices) and want to participate in society, then there’s an amount of conformity that you just simply have to deal with. Dont like it? Sorry, dont go out in public.