Did you hear about the kid that went to see Santa and was told by the Jolly Old Elf to “layoff the cheeseburgers and fries?”
Check out the CNN story for more.
So many things at play here, 3.5 readers.
First of all, isn’t it kind of ironic for Santa to call anyone fat? That’s the pot calling the kettle black, right? The man is literally famous for being a super fat fatty.
Really, Santa? You want to tell a chubby kid to lay off the burgers? OK. Howsabout you don’t eat a plate of cookies and drink a glass of milk AT EVERY HOUSE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD every Christmas Eve?
Sheesh.
But ok, so this story opened up the can of worms that is the ongoing fat shaming debate.
Here’s my two cents.
It isn’t healthy to be overweight. However, overweight people should be free to go about their lives without being insulted, name-called, treated like crap.
That’s pretty reasonable. Like most issues, the debate collapses when both sides huddle to their extreme corners.
On the one hand, you have people who say fat shaming helps fat people so feel free to say nasty things to them and treat them like crap. It’ll motivate them to lose weight.
Yeah, no. It’ll just make their lives more difficult and the harder their lives are, the harder it is to lose weight. If you wouldn’t want someone pointing out your problems every time you step foot out into public, then don’t do it to other people. Mind your business and stop bothering people. Pretty simple.
Then on the other side of the debate, you have some people who are fat and they say dumb things like being fat doesn’t cause health problems, its ok, people who don’t find me attractive and don’t want to date me are shitty, whatever. That’s the other side and that’s equally silly.
Is this kid chubby? Yes. Is he still a little kid? Yes. Should his parents help him out and get him involved in sports and get him eating right and exercising while he is young and his body can easily bounce back and he’s got the energy to lose weight and build muscle and turn it around so he can live a happy, healthy life?
Yes.
Is that easier said than done?
Yes.
Should a little kid be able to sit on Santa’s lap and not be criticized?
Yes.
Here’s why: Because this kid probably has no shortage of kids at school who will gladly call him fat and make fun of him, so maybe, just maybe, while his mind is still young and he’s able to still feel a childlike sense of wonder and enthusiasm about the world, he should be able to sit on Santa’s lap and not be told that he’s fat, especially when Santa is also fat.
I mean, come on, being a Rent-a-Santa is like the only job where being fat and having gray hair and a beard gives the candidate a leg up for the position.
In conclusion, my advice to the world:
- Fatty Haters – keep it to yourself. If the the portly person is minding his own business, you don’t need to make fun of him. Don’t be a dick and then try to pass it off as you are a nice guy trying to help him realize he has a problem. He knows. It isn’t a matter of him not knowing and needing someone to point it out. It is a whole perfect storm of DNA, environment, emotions, self-control, addiction and so on. This person feels bad 24/7, so don’t worry, he’s not going to feel great if you give him a pass on the shitty insult you’ve cooked up in your head.
- Fat Activists – No, fat people shouldn’t be treated like crap, but don’t put out misinformation and try to convince people that weight issues don’t cause health problems.
- Santa – You’re fat. Stop calling kids fat and lay off the cookies.
Bookshelf Battle 