Is This My Future?

So we're currently debating this issue in class and I've decided to post my opinion on this.

CBS WKBT news anchor Jennifer Livingston got an email from a viewer (?) commenting on her weight. Apparently he wasn't impressed that she was overweight and that she couldn't possibly  be a "a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular." He basically said she was obese and encourages her to realize she has a "responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle". Livingston's husband, Mike Thompson, posted Kenneth Krause's letter on Facebook, where comments, of disgust towards Krause obviously, flooded in.

 

Livingston decided to respond in a way that connects to the fact that this month is National Bullying Prevention Month.

 

 

Krause, responded by not taking back what he said. He wants Livingston to take advantage of the fact that she's in the public eye and can transform herself on air over the next year. He also offers to help with support and advice if she would choose to take this journey.

So, I've given you the facts. But this is a blog so I get to say what I want. Krause is an idiot. What gives anyone the right to judge someone's physical appearance? A man actually sat down and took time to write a letter to this plus size anchor.

 

As you can see, I'm not a size 3. However, I do want to report the news and be a journalist. Am I to transform myself? I like how I look. It makes me who I am. Now, I'm not as curvy as Livingston, but this issue still worries me. Before it worries, it makes me angry. First, I was upset that Krause sent the letter, but for him to stand by this and think, "hey, I'm just trying to help" completely turns my stomach. Livingston was very professional and the fact that she used bullying as a context for her reply proves how good of a journalist she is because I would have lost my shit. Who knows, maybe she did at first, and then hid it. The point is, I am now a large fan of her, and I've always been a fan of Katie Simpson on CP24. I'm not sure if that's rude to say because then I'm admitting that Katie Simpson has a plus size figure as well. I think they're both so beautiful though and have clearly worked hard to get where they are. The fact that they're on air gives me hope that brains just may trump beauty (the stereotypical small-figured people) in the broadcast journalism industry. If anyone sends her a letter, watch out.