Since October 25th, I’ve sat back and watched the world (online media and television media) give Marie Claire blogger Maura Kelly a piece of their mind and I am proud of the way we are rallying together in an effort to have our voices heard as a direct result of being unfairly targeted. After reading Should “Fatties” Get a Room? (Even on TV?), it’s obvious that Maura Kelly has serious problems with anyone who does not act, look or live the way she does. In the article she calls out more than just “fatties”. She takes a jab at those who are anorexic, drunks, plus size actors and actresses, substance abusers and millions of readers who may have their own set of circumstances.
Maura Kelly is a blogger and after discussing the differences between bloggers and journalists with many writers, the mindset of a blogger (while different at times) should never be offensive especially when speaking on behalf of a national publication such as Marie Claire.
With that in mind……..
I’m not mad at Maura Kelly for feeling the way that she does. Do I like her opinion? NO! Am I appalled that she had the nerve to submit this article to an editor to be posted on a website that houses a column titled, “Big Girl In A Skinny World”? YES! But unfortunately Marie Claire has placed a great deal of faith in this writer and her opinion.
I am disappointed in the editor who published it. As an editor myself, I am sent articles that may not be appropriate for my readers and it is MY JOB to protect them from the views of others that may be viewed as hurtful, insensitive or just plan mean.
I would like to share with you some of the comments that readers posted on MarieClaire.com after reading the article in question:
When I was molested from the ages of 7-10 and I turned to food as the only drug available to me then, as a small child, I didn’t realize there would be vile people like you who cannot stand the unbearable sight of someone like me and would judge me for being overweight.
With the world as crazy as it is you question affection between two people. Which is clearly its base form. What does it matter if they are overweight, underweight, white, brown, etc.? Your remarks are from the beginning meant to degrate people and is not in anyway flattering to your character.
Maura Kelly’s article made me cry. Not because she was hurting my feelings personally but that people don’t understand feeling that way is a form of bigotry / hate.
I wonder if the one who thought they had freedom of speech on this article thought about the legal ramifications. I think this falls under discrimination and slander of character which are now considered by law to be hate crimes and are punishable by time served.
I simply cannot fathom that someone who has fought her own battles with any type of eating disorder can be so glib and callous about dealing with any weight or food issue. There will be many people here who will never forgive you.
Whether you’re a blogger or a journalist, it is your job to be truthful. When your words of truth become words of hate and hurt then it may be time to discover a new career path.
After reading Kelly’s blog post, I’m more convinced now than ever that websites like DailyVenusDiva.com fills a void that other publications refuse to fill. We are a plus size website/publication with plus size writers serving the plus size community and we are proud to discuss topics that are relevant to you.
Editor-In-Chief, Stephanie Penn-Danforth -- Daily Venus Diva.
Dear Steph,
I loved the way you went with this article. I agree with you 110%.
But I am still mad at Maura Kelly. She has been around Marie Claire to know that her feature was going to bring in some third degree burns, her flaming remarks have done the damage.
Shame on the Editor who went for this article and allowed this to be posted.
Unlke them we have a brilliant Editor!!!
Yes, thank God for The Daily Venus Diva, we are all about celebrating our curves and the lifestyle of a curvy woman.
It has been a rough few days with this crazy article and the pain it has created.
Some down time on The Daily Venus Diva is most needed and recommendedl
We got your back.
Curvaciously Your,
Olga
I wish I could hug you both after this tavestry!!!! You should NEVER have to feel ashamed of your size!! NEVER!!!
Terry,
Thanks for the hug.
I am not ashamed of my size, I am hurt that she has spoken about me and every plus size man or woman as if we were disgusting or hurting anyone with just breathing the same air.
That woman would have been hung back in the day. LOL.
I’ve just the (in)famous article as well as the blogger’s apology and I must say I’m more appalled by the latter.
I mean, the article itself is downrgith mean and irrational: what kind of people should, according to the writer be out and about? Is there a mold they should fit in so that they’re considered acceptable? But, anyway, there has been enough reaction on it, so she sort-of realized that she had put her food really deep in her mouth. That’s what probably her editor thought as well: “Oooops, we went too far, I guess, why don’t you rectify to make things right?”
And rectify she did: in a mellow, absolutely fake way, that simply confirms that what she really meant was her former text. The thing is, since she is obsessed with all kinds of addiction, she is the one who’s absolutely pathetic: she’s been through her anorexia and, obviously, hasn’t learnt her lesson about how much (or, rather, how little) control one has certain things. A pitiful creature that feels powerful by belittling others and has the face to call herself a journalist. Apparently, unlike a bunch of other people, those are entitled to being out and about…
Dear Caterina,
Well said, Darling. I felt a two year old could have expressed himself more and sound honest and real than her lame apology.
This will haunt her for the rest of her days and you know we shall never FORGET it!!
Thanks for being a part of our curvy community and for sharing.
Curvy hugs,
Olga
Stephaine, Thanks for writing this! It is refereshing to hear from an editor’s perspective. I cant imagine what you have to filter through. Marie Claire seems to have a filter when it comes to other issues but allowed a rant about the plus size community go without any edits. I did see a post from the online editor of Marie Clare who is apparently plus size and found it offensive. It seems that the blog portion of the site is to be a raw take on the world. I get it but at what expense?
Her apology is hollow.To apologize about an insensitive statement is one thing, but to have a rant paragraphs long is quite another. It reveals more of a mindset in general than topical commentary, revealing more of her issues of self love than anything else. I pray that she gets the help she needs.
Thanks for this post!!
I totally second that Cassy!
You pray, I pray ,we all pray she gets the help she needs.
Sad to think for her it might be too late. Her blog showed a high level of pure hate and disgust for the plus size community.
Can you imagine the things she didn’t put on that blog??
We will move forward and we are by no means perfect, but we don’t carry that pain and demon inside like she does.
Most horrible part, she has no self-love and when you don’t love or appreciate yourself you can never see ther true value of another individual.
Curvy hugs,
Olga
Fatties, how juvenile for a so-called blogger and professional editor of a establish media to result to name calling. How childish of both of them.. Well, here’s how so called fatties, can make a point to Marie-Claire. Boycott their magazine, make noise, hit them where it hurts in bad press and money!
Post it on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.
Until the fashion industry comes to the conclusion that real women wear a size 12 and above; narrow-minded individuals like the so-called blogger and her narrow-minded supporters will continue to believe her negative crap.
Better yet, the day will come when “Silly Slimmies” will get Fat and walk a mile in our shoes.
Darling Mikki,
I felt your vibe all the way over here. Yes you are right.
I have a special project I am working on and trust you me it will be in ‘Marie Claires’ face and in the media. I will talk more about it when I have all the players that will join me confirm.
I thank you for sticking to this strongly and for being yourself. So many of us are afraid of speaking out, being fat is no excuse to stay quiet.
For years we have been told to stay away from the light, hide, keep to ourselves.
Not anymore.
Curvy hugs,
Olga~