February 7, 2013

• Christie, Size, And Gender Issues

  If you’ve ever heard of NJ’s governor,you probably noticed that he’s…well…kind of big.

  No, I don’t mean his ego—though clearly they need a chopper to carry THAT around too. And no, this isn’t a “hate piece” about his weight. I just find myself wondering why it’s ok for a man who had admitted to being 550 pounds to be elected to a major position in government, when women as little as 50 pounds overweight are being fat shamed.

  When it comes to size, we have a gender problem.

  When he was first running, I found myself asking if they would have run a woman for governor who was even HALF his size…and while there are a few hefty women in politics, local or national not a SINGLE one is near Christie’s bulk. I’m taking a bet that they are not within 200 pounds of him…and The question I must ask is why?

  Because fat shaming is overwhelmingly directed at women. No…I’m not saying people don’t make fun of the man. But he made it to GOVERNOR. They actually offered him as an option. He was not shunted to some dark dank corner, so no one would have to look at him. Sure…he’s large…but people did not doubt his ability to run an entire state…they even considered him for President, and vice president. But a woman of even 300 pounds? GOD FORBID. You shameful pig! Obviously you aren’t able to do anything but eat. We let people not hire them—and cite “health issues”. Well that cuts both ways. If a woman can be denied a job for being overweight, that same standard should apply to men.

  But somehow…it doesn’t…as demonstrated by CC. I’ve read of case after case where companies and corporations got away with either firing, or not hiring people who didn’t meet their standard for “corporate appearance”. Usually, it’s women who get caught in it. The other day, a doctor speculated out loud that there was an excellent chance that Christie could die in office…based on his weight. UPROAR. The remarks are stunning. Some suggest she violated his HIPPA rights. Ummmm….no. She did not steal his medical records…nor did she quote from them. She merely made an observation….one most of the late night hosts have been commenting on for years. (And before you go there, I remind you that despite the jokes, he was STILL elected. A woman would have NEVER been considered.)

  And I am not doubting that this IS a health issue too…I’m just wondering what gives us the right to loathe and dismiss overweight women, while accepting men to the point of allowing them to LEAD us, even when they are WAY beyond morbidly obese.

  I had the chance to meet Deborah Allen, when I was advocating for kids in Trenton…a smart, dynamic lady, with years in the State House. I remember when she was a “talking head’ on Philadelphia TV news…and then they canned her over her appearance. That led to a law suit…which she won. When I met her, she was by my guess about a size 20—and in her late 50′s. She’s smart…she speaks well. She’s damned impressive, even if I am not 100 percent with her on EVERY issue. And I wondered that day why SHE wasn’t being run. We’d had a female Governor before…so why was she less desirable as a candidate than Christie…who had ZERO state house experience?

  Oh yeah…he’s a GUY.

  I am just amazed how often we manage to ignore the obvious…

   

   

   

  • 8:59 am
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