WTH WEDNESDAY: Is Marie Clare’s Maura Kelly An Insensitive Jerk?

Yea, pretty much.
When I was trolling the Marie Clare website I was shocked to come across this article:
Overweight Couples on Television – Do Fat Characters on TV Offend Viewers – Marie Claire.

“Now, don’t go getting the wrong impression: I have a few friends who could be called plump. I’m not some size-ist jerk. And I also know how tough it can be for truly heavy people to psych themselves up for the long process of slimming down. (For instance, the overweight maintenance guy at my gym has talked to me a little bit about how it seems worthless for him to even try working out, because he’s been heavy for as long as he can remember.”

Maura Kelly proceeds to give us her “opinion” on what overweight people need to do to make her viewing of them more pleasing.

”... I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it.”

Really? Do you think it’s that easy? Don’t you think if it was we wouldn’t have the problem we do? Or was actual research to much for you to handle after writing this insulting, cruel, egotistical and UNSPELL checked post?

Dude-it’s spelled HEROIN.

I don’t suppose pesky things like medical issues, psychological issues, ect…really entered your mind when you excitedly started typing this doozy of a post.
My mom is overweight. It’s not because she “eats to much” or is lazy. It’s because she has cancer and her meds affect her weight. While I’m sure she would LOVE to lose the weight…putting her “mind to it” doesn’t seem to be working so well. She runs 5-10 k’s, goes to the gym 3 times a week and watches what she eats. Hell, my mom may weigh more then me but she is also far healthier then me.

It’s people like you who do more damage to her health then her weight. Your insensitive remarks and hateful stares demoralize her and make her feel bad about herself. My mother is a beautiful woman who doesn’t need you or your kind around her.

”I'm happy to give you some nutrition and fitness suggestions if you need them — but long story short, eat more fresh and unprocessed foods, read labels and avoid foods with any kind of processed sweetener in them whether it's cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup, increase the amount of fiber you're getting, get some kind of exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week, and do everything you can to stand up more — even while using your computer — and walk more. I admit that there's plenty that makes slimming down tough, but YOU CAN DO IT! Trust me. It will take some time, but you'll also feel so good, physically and emotionally. A nutritionist or personal trainer will help — and if you can't afford one, visit your local YMCA for some advice.”

Wow…thanks Dr. Kelly. Oh, that’s right. You’re NOT a Dr. are you? Did you honestly think you could offset your asinine remarks with your little public service message?
I’m not as much shocked by Ms. Kelly’s thoughts as there are a lot of insensitive jerks in the world. What shocks me more is Marie Clare’s editor of the web actually read this and thought, “Wow…I’m going to run this ‘cause it’s really good”. Promoted as a magazine about women, for women, by women…it certainly dealt women a heavy blow with this article. How on earth anyone at Marie Claire thought this would generate a friendly internet discussion boggles my mind.

I enjoyed the comments by Marie Clare and Ms Kelly about 1st Amendment Rights and Freedom Of Speech. You’re right. Everyone has a right to their opinion. But as my Nana used to say, “…the hand you step on today may be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.”  She also used to tell me to ,“Shut up. It’s better to thought a fool then open your mouth and prove them right.” Can you guess where I’m going with this? Freedom of Speech may give you the right to insult other people but it’s hoped that common sense and decency would over ride that.

Maura Kelly defends herself in the comments section but finally waves the white flag.
"I know that many obese people have difficult losing weight, some for medical reasons, others for psychological reasons that are hard to overcome, and I truly regret my lack of empathy and thoughtfulness,"

Sorry, but I can’t help but picture someone standing over Ms. Kelly’s shoulder telling her what to type. Do I think she’s sorry? Sure I do. But not for what we think she is. I think she’s sorry she let the world know how she feels. I think what really got to me was the certain frivolous attitude the whole post displayed. As though Ms. Kelly was giggling to herself and saying, “Aren’t I a pistol ?”
Plus, is it just me that finds it rather ironic that this posts during Anti Bully month??

So today I will be enabling my right to not listen to someone else’s opinion and cancel my subscription.I’ve subscribed to Marie Clare since I was 16 yrs old. That’s right. I’ve been a subscriber for over 20 years. I’ve watched the magazine go from a fashion pub to a merger of OK Mag and Seventeen. In other words, it’s gone to CRAP. So thank you. I’ve been trying to cull my subscriptions and this was is the perfect place to start.

Goodbye Marie Clare. It’s be real.

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