Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

People shouldn't feel ashamed for their weight, period.

Yes, very good. They should be cognizant of their weight (underweight and overweight) and work toward healthy change. Being cognizant of their weight and working toward change can be conditioned by the reasons behind their weight issue.

There is an obesity problem in the Black community and it is complicated by people saying things like "I got sugar," "diabetes just runs in my family," and "I'm just big bonededed." That has sparked research and outreach programs to get people to understand the difference between medical/health meanings and cultural meanings.

Soooooo....

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yes, very good. They should be cognizant of their weight (underweight and overweight) and work toward healthy change. Being cognizant of their weight and working toward change can be conditioned by the reasons behind their weight issue.

There is an obesity problem in the Black community and it is complicated by people saying things like "I got sugar," "diabetes just runs in my family," and "I'm just big bonededed." That has sparked research and outreach programs to get people to understand the difference between medical/health meanings and cultural meanings.

Soooooo....

*shrug* Look, you framed it as a discussion of explanations and excuses. I think there are a bunch of explanations and those are things that can be addressed through education, medication change, etc. But I don't think there need to be any excuses. On a societal level you do the research and education but on the individual, it's not my business.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

*shrug* Look, you framed it as a discussion of explanations and excuses. I think there are a bunch of explanations and those are things that can be addressed through education, medication change, etc. But I don't think there need to be any excuses. On a societal level you do the research and education but on the individual, it's not my business.

And the post you just quoted gave an example of perceived "explanations" and "excuses."

Thanks for answering. Education and outreach are important.

I don't know why you're stuck on whose business it is (LOL). As I said before, people make excuses to themselves and this often occurs before they feel the need to make excuses to others. Either way, the individual-level aggregates to society-level so it all eventually becomes society's business if it culminates to social problems that are correlated with other social problems.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

And the post you just quoted gave an example of perceived "explanations" and "excuses."

Thanks for answering. Education and outreach are important.

I don't know why you're stuck on whose business it is (LOL). The individual-level aggregates to society-level so it all eventually becomes society's business if it culminates to social problems that are correlated with other social problems.

Because the article, and your original post, weren't dealing with societal level outreach and education. It was talking about determining whether a reason for weight gain is acceptable or not and talking about body shame. It's neither society nor an individual's position to shame someone for his/her body and the idea that there are unacceptable reasons for being overweight feeds that. Even if Joe Scmoe says he's "just big boned." I'm going to guess odds are he's aware of other reasons for his weight and feels compelled to make a socially acceptable "excuse." That's the effects of body shaming.

I'm sorry I'm not taking the conversation in the direction you wanted it to go, but I am only responding to what you put out there.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

...the idea that there are unacceptable reasons for being overweight feeds that.

That depends on the tone and the context of the message. The article did seem to want to distinguish between the "good obese people" and the "bad obese people." But, that's based on my perception which may be different than the intent of the article.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm going to guess odds are he's aware of other reasons for his weight....

Maybe and maybe not. Such uncertainty and subpar information and resources are why there is research and outreach on obesity and the Black community.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

...I am only responding to what you put out there.

And I am only responding based on what I want to type about. Cheers. If this thread was just for the two of us, I would've private messaged it to you.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That depends on the tone and the context of the message. The article did seem to want to distinguish between the "good obese people" and the "bad obese people." But, that's based on my perception which may be different than the intent of the article.

I think it's pretty obvious, personally. There's a heavy focus on fault and shame and that's pretty standard.

Maybe and maybe not. Such uncertainty and subpar information and resources are why there is research and outreach on obesity and the Black community.

It's possible but it's a fairly consistent pattern in any community to put off "blame" because it's considered shameful. I'm not familiar enough with the issues specific to the black community to comment.

And I am only responding based on what I want to type about. Cheers. If this thread was just for the two of us, I would've private messaged it to you.

Actually, I'm aware of this. And I believe that your selective response to discussions like this, as well as throwing out "LOL" and "Yes, very good." in an otherwise polite discussion comes off as condescending and counterproductive.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm not familiar enough with the issues specific to the black community to comment.

Okay and that goes back to "maybe and maybe not," which likely isn't exclusive to the Black community.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Actually, I'm aware of this. And I believe that your selective response to discussions like this, as well as throwing out "LOL" and "Yes, very good." in an otherwise polite discussion comes off as condescending and counterproductive.

Again, that is your interpretation and assumption of what "yes, very good" and "LOL" were intended to convey. But, since you insist on chasing your own tale () regardless of my intention and where I want this thread to go, I shall say "mission accomplished" to the bolded.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I don't know why you're stuck on whose business it is (LOL).

because in this day and age where looks 'are everything' society has made it a habit of glorifying and vilifying weight gain and loss all in the same breath.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

because in this day and age where looks 'are everything' society has made it a habit of glorifying and vilifying weight gain and loss all in the same breath.

Yes. Therefore........

And this topic doesn't have to be about looks. I see it as also about health. For instance, the research and outreach in the Black community is certainly not centered around looks. It is centered around health concerns and getting people to understand why their health may be at risk even if women say you look more handsome with some weight on you or your man says he loves your hugemongous ass.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yes. Therefore........

And this topic doesn't have to be about looks. I see it as also about health. For instance, the research and outreach in the Black community is certainly not centered around looks. It is centered around health concerns and getting people to understand why their health may be at risk even if women say you look more handsome with some weight on you or your man says he loves your hugemongous ass.

It doesn't have to be but we know fully well that weight and looks goes hand in hand...we are only realizing within the past 10 years or so how much of an epidemic it is. We can't even look at a celebrity without saying 'oh, she lost weight...oh...she letting herself go." and yeah, let's add that element in there...it's most aimed at WOMEN.

You all get more pressure about your weight than men do...right or wrong???

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

It doesn't have to be but we know fully well that weight and looks goes hand in hand...we are only realizing within the past 10 years or so how much of an epidemic it is. We can't even look at a celebrity without saying 'oh, she lost weight...oh...she letting herself go." and yeah, let's add that element in there...it's most aimed at WOMEN.

You all get more pressure about your weight than men do...right or wrong???

I remember how people clowned Pierce Brosnan's beautiful wife because she isn't the size she was when they first met. I remember how people clowned Tyra Banks when she gained a little weight. She lost the weight for health reasons and said she doesn't care about people's opinions of her looks.

Would the reaction been the same if Brosnan's wife and Banks were publicized to have gained weight from an illness or medication? I dunno. (That doesn't mean the reaction should be different or that there should be any reaction).