zpdiduda: (eyes)
[personal profile] zpdiduda
but this article, published today in the web version of the Hearst fashion magazine Marie Claire, made my blood boil to the point at which I knew I wouldn't sleep unless I did something. Feel free to join me if you're similarly enraged. [Caution: article may be triggering to those who are triggered by fat hatred]

.


I never thought of Marie Claire Magazine as a playground bully...

...but apparently I was misled. I'm referring to Maura Kelly's article, entitled "Should Fatties Get A Room (Even On TV?)", published today under your web masthead.

Ms. Schweitzer, do you even READ the articles you publish? Ms. Coles, do you know what's being published on the web in the name of Marie Claire? Take a look at it. Please. Here's Ms. Kelly on the question she asks in the caption:

So anyway, yes, I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair.

Am I missing something, oh Marie Claire publishers? Isn't this the magazine that has heralded body-positivity this year? [Not to mention spelling. Was your proofreader snorting heroine -- or maybe scarfing Haagen-Dahz in the closet in shame at having a part in this --when this page got uploaded?]

Kelly goes on to say:

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.

I'm sure she's got a few friends who are Negroes, too, and that she's not some racist jerk. We fat people are all so relieved.

True, she's got tons of research and expertise to back up her Marie Claire-sponsored disgust for larger human beings:

But ... 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.

(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...


That's what I call journalistic credibility. Yessiree Bob.

Strangely enough, apparently to her surprise (but aren't bullies always surprised when this happens?), the other kids on the playground haven't got her back. After a slew of really angry comments, Kelly's been backpedaling so fast in comments that I'm afraid she's going to hit something. Oh wait, she already did. I've been reading comments on other websites from women who have succumbed to her gratuitous cruelty in tears because the playground experience is just too recent and too real, and their rational knowledge that they are worthwhile human beings crumbles when the bullies of their nightmares are given bandwidth in a magazine that they have grown to respect. I'm 52 years old, and I know that It Gets Better. I also know that it's not only bullied gay kids who commit suicide.

Ms. Schweitzer, excuse my bluntness, but I honestly can't believe that any editor with half a brain would publish such an ugly and utterly uninformed piece of crap. And I intend to tell everyone with an email address at Hearst (as well as a few folks at the Huffington Post, jezebel.com and whoever else in the blogosphere might get some mileage out of it) exactly what I do believe. I intend to publicize your article as broadly as I can in the hope that others will join me in the expression of disgust and the cancellation of subscriptions.

Want the suggestions of a fat (former) reader?

--Pull this thing off the web before it does more damage.
--Apologize publicly to your readers for publishing it.
--Publish your magazine's nondiscrimination policy on the web. I know you've got one, even if you have apparently forgotten about it.

I would also suggest that you disassociate yourselves from Maura Kelly, but that's really not my business. I fight only bullies, not self-immolation. If you still want to publish someone who would spew this kind of hatred and ugliness at your readers, this fattie will just shake her head and step away from the newstand.

Regards,

[zpdiduda]

Date: 2010-10-26 07:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cyan-blue.livejournal.com
Hugs, and very good letter.

Date: 2010-10-26 08:51 am (UTC)

Date: 2010-10-26 09:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] supergee.livejournal.com
Good for you.

Date: 2010-10-26 10:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cerulean-me.livejournal.com
Very well written.... and as a fatty who has been bullied quite a bit, thank you. :)

Date: 2010-10-26 02:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] weirdodragoncat.livejournal.com
Good gods that was a horrid article. Thank you for writing to the editor.

Date: 2010-10-26 03:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] karenbynight.livejournal.com
Wow, I won't read the article because just the part you've quoted is nauseating. Good for you for standing up for what's right.

Date: 2010-10-26 11:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] labelleizzy.livejournal.com
esthetically displeasing, huh?

she should *have* it as good as some of us fatties.

"uh, what's polyamory?"

(;

You go with your bad self, Zp. I am proud of you.

Date: 2010-10-27 01:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] worthyadvisor.livejournal.com
Right on!

Gah, I could only get through a few paragraphs before I wanted to throw the computer.

Mind if I tweet this?

Date: 2010-10-27 06:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zpdiduda.livejournal.com
Please feel free to tweet it, and thanks for doing so. :)

Date: 2010-10-27 01:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] celticmoni.livejournal.com
*stands and applauds, then sits back down comfortably on her fat, cushy, proud, beautiful, sought-after (_I_)*

I've been bullied, too, for being aspie-ish, for being fat, for wearing glasses, for being "ugly", for being "beautiful" but a loner, and therefore a presumed stuck-up snob...you name it. Amongst adolescents still learning decency, it can be forgiven.

From a professional writer for one of the country's most widely-read women's magazines? Not so much.

Date: 2010-10-27 04:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] guruwench.livejournal.com
Thank you, very much. Very well written.

Also, you seem quite nifty, and we know some of the same folks... would you mind if I added you?

Date: 2010-10-27 05:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zpdiduda.livejournal.com
Thank you! And yes, please feel free to add me, and I hope that you'll be okay with me adding you as well. I see lots of my favorite usernames on your friendslist. :)

Date: 2010-10-27 11:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] guruwench.livejournal.com
Thank you, and add away! :)

Date: 2010-10-27 09:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hitchhiker.livejournal.com
good on you!

Date: 2010-10-27 09:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hitchhiker.livejournal.com
another friend of mine had a rant about this too: http://puffpastry.livejournal.com/325591.html

Date: 2010-10-27 11:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zpdiduda.livejournal.com
As someone else said in comments, your friend is awesome with awesomesauce. :)

Date: 2010-10-28 09:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hitchhiker.livejournal.com
she really is :)

Date: 2010-10-28 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deedeebythebay.livejournal.com
I bet she would have been surprised when my confident bad-ass gorgeous fat self walked into the lobby where I was the last three days and three men stopped in mid-sentence and one said to the other, "Damn, too bad she's got a ring on her finger."

Date: 2010-10-28 05:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deedeebythebay.livejournal.com
Hmmmm, should we write to Project Runway, in light of this article, and ask, as loyal fans, that they no longer associate with Marie Claire? I know Nina works for them....did she roll in disgust when they had the "fat" models on PR? *frustrated*

Date: 2010-11-01 07:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lnearth.livejournal.com
Forgive this intrusion, we share some common community memberships, a friend or two and I've read with interest some of your posts from time to time. Your letter is most commendable and that's an understatement. I had to walk away from my computer after reading it. Did you see this? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-shahryar/dear-marie-claire-and-med_b_775159.html. Another community that posted responses to this in LJ is theladiesroom (pasticcio). Before I start rambling in a miasma of hero worship, may I friend you?

Date: 2010-11-03 08:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zpdiduda.livejournal.com
Your "intrusion" is both welcome and very much appreciated! Thank you for your kind words. You really brightened my day. Please do friend me. With your permission, I'd like to do the same with you.

Thank you, too, for sharing the Huff Post article. It's the most interesting and thoughtful response that I've seen yet to Maura Kelly's vile spew. I can't find the LJ community that you mention. My search for "theladiesroom" returned a community that hasn't seen more than one post a year, and the addition of "{pasticcio)" didn't bring up anything. Can you please send me the link?

I'm looking forward to knowing you.

Date: 2010-11-03 01:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lnearth.livejournal.com
Thank you! I just sent the link and note via LJ. Hope it got there! Looking forward to getting to know you as well.
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