This Condescending Fat-Shaming Letter on Facebook is Motivational
Mar 12, 2014 00:43
Which would work better for you as an exerciser? Would you have someone praise you for working hard for your body, or have them pen an open letter of insults about your weight before claiming to respect you for trying?
This anonymous letter, addressed to "the fatty running on the Westview track," accused the runner of stopping during laps, "footslogging" in the wrong direction, and for being drenched with sweat (um, is that not supposed to happen when you run?).
But then the letter progresses into a different tone, with the writer telling the runner that he or she "f-ing rocks" for being so motivated. The writer also claims no condescension and says he or she is filled with respect. It goes like:
"Shaming a stranger and calling it motivation is not only rude and inappropriate, it's counterproductive," says Yvonne Thomas, PhD, a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in self-esteem. Most of us don't feel inspired by negative comments—instead, we're inspired by positive words and praise that aren't sugar-coated insults, says Thomas.
How does this letter make you feel?
This anonymous letter, addressed to "the fatty running on the Westview track," accused the runner of stopping during laps, "footslogging" in the wrong direction, and for being drenched with sweat (um, is that not supposed to happen when you run?).
But then the letter progresses into a different tone, with the writer telling the runner that he or she "f-ing rocks" for being so motivated. The writer also claims no condescension and says he or she is filled with respect. It goes like:
"To the fatty running on the Westview track this afternoon:It does sound kinda condescending. But it does make you want to do more the next time you exercise. Of course to some, this comes off as ultimately sarky and insulting.
You, whose feet barely lift off the ground as you trudge around the track.
You, who keeps to the outside lane, footslogging in the wrong direction.
You, who stops for water breaks every lap, and who would probably stop twice a lap if there were bleachers on both sides. You whose gaze drops to your feet every time we pass. You, whose sweat drenches your body after you leave, completing only a single, 20-minute mile.
There's something you should know: You fucking rock.
Every shallow step you take, you carry the weight of more than two of me, clinging to your bones, begging to be shaken off. Each lap you run, you're paying off the debt of another midnight snack, another desser, another beer.. It's 20 degrees outside, but you haven't let that stop your regimen. This isn't your first day out here, and it certainly won't be your last. You've started a journey that lasts a lifetime, and you've started it at least 12 days before your New Year's resolution kicks in. You run without music, and I can only imagine the mantras running through your mind as you heave your ever-shrinking mass around the next lap. Let's go, feet. Shut up, legs. F**k off, fat. If you'd only look up from your feet the next time we pass, you'd see my gaze has no condescension in it.
I have nothing but respect for you. You've got this."
"Shaming a stranger and calling it motivation is not only rude and inappropriate, it's counterproductive," says Yvonne Thomas, PhD, a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in self-esteem. Most of us don't feel inspired by negative comments—instead, we're inspired by positive words and praise that aren't sugar-coated insults, says Thomas.
How does this letter make you feel?
