discrimination
In the articles "Discrimination At Large" by Jennifer Coleman and "Ok, So I'm Fat" by Neil Steinberg, both authors discuss the battle of being overweight and the discrimination they experienced because of it.
Coleman begins her article by describing how "all fat people are 'outed' by their appearance..." She states that all the people who wouldn't dare utter any anti-gay slogans or racial epitaphs are the ones who verbally abuse her due to her appearance. This abuse began from a young age; people would refer to Coleman as "lazy" and "disgusting" and eventually she came to believe it. She desperately tried to lose weight by eating nutritious meals and doing many different exercises. No matter how hard she tried, she was never able to silence the comments of others. As her efforts to be fit continued, people continued to ridicule her appearance. Coleman's belief is that the bullying of fat people is not inborn. She believes that this bullying is taught by society. Just as children learn to be sensitive toward the disabled, the author believes that children should learn to have the same sensitivity toward the overweight.
In addition, Neil Steinberg's "Ok, So I'm Fat" describes his experience with being overweight. What Steinberg finds most unpleasant about being overweight- besides the excess weight- is the offensive behavior of thin people. He takes offense to their behavior whether it is intentional or not, and is even bothered by their very existence. Stienberg's peers assumed that weight loss was beyond his grasp.. They would offer him Diet Coke and refer to him lightly as "Big Guy." Yet, Stienberg did not have a problem with thin people who didn't need to work for their weight. Stienberg found it easier to be around those who were effortlessly thin since they gave him the relief that being thin is no more than good fortune. When eating a profoundly fattening dessert at a party, Stienberg asked the hostess if she was planning to eat her own. She replied
Coleman begins her article by describing how "all fat people are 'outed' by their appearance..." She states that all the people who wouldn't dare utter any anti-gay slogans or racial epitaphs are the ones who verbally abuse her due to her appearance. This abuse began from a young age; people would refer to Coleman as "lazy" and "disgusting" and eventually she came to believe it. She desperately tried to lose weight by eating nutritious meals and doing many different exercises. No matter how hard she tried, she was never able to silence the comments of others. As her efforts to be fit continued, people continued to ridicule her appearance. Coleman's belief is that the bullying of fat people is not inborn. She believes that this bullying is taught by society. Just as children learn to be sensitive toward the disabled, the author believes that children should learn to have the same sensitivity toward the overweight.
In addition, Neil Steinberg's "Ok, So I'm Fat" describes his experience with being overweight. What Steinberg finds most unpleasant about being overweight- besides the excess weight- is the offensive behavior of thin people. He takes offense to their behavior whether it is intentional or not, and is even bothered by their very existence. Stienberg's peers assumed that weight loss was beyond his grasp.. They would offer him Diet Coke and refer to him lightly as "Big Guy." Yet, Stienberg did not have a problem with thin people who didn't need to work for their weight. Stienberg found it easier to be around those who were effortlessly thin since they gave him the relief that being thin is no more than good fortune. When eating a profoundly fattening dessert at a party, Stienberg asked the hostess if she was planning to eat her own. She replied