Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Marie Claire

There is a ton of outrage and debate going on about the recent Marie Claire article that was published. If you have not read the article and do not know what I am talking about...here is the link: http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television

I read the article last night after a friend posted it online. I have since read many many of the comments. They are ridiculously emblazoned with hatred, just like the article. The difference is righteous indignation vs. discrimination. I fully support the idea that obesity is something that needs to change in our nation. I understand that there are a lot of problems with the "healthiness" of our current society climate. I DO NOT support the idea that just because people are overweight they should be forced to stay inside and not be allowed to be in public, either digitally or physically.

The article is supposed to fundamentally be about whether over weight people should be allowed to kiss on TV. However, what it turned into was a bashing of overweight people and discrimination and name calling thereof.

I am currently teaching To Kill a Mockingbird to my English 2 Honors class. The book is filled with racism, segregation and discrimination. I used this article as a modern day version of the same behavior in a different package. It led to an amazing discussion about ignorance, freedom of speech and discrimination in our everyday lives.

Marie Claire, you should be ashamed of yourself. This writer and approving editor should be fired. This is ridiculous.

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