A US TV anchor has taken aim at bullies in an on-air response to an insulting viewer letter over her weight, and is encouraging kids to stand up to bullies as well.
Jennifer Livingston, a news show host in Wisconsin received an email last week accusing her for being a bad role model.
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“Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable role example for this community’s young people, girls in particular,” the letter read.
“Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain.
“I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Ms Livingston said that she was not personally offended by the letter, but felt it necessary to stand up to the viewer after the comments had caused a great deal of criticism since being posted on Facebook by her husband and colleague.
“The truth is, I am overweight,” she said.
“You can call me fat, and yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart.
“But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don’t see?
“You don’t know me and you are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family and you have admitted you do not watch this show, so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside, and I am much more than a number on a scale.”
The mother of three girls pointed out that while she was not affected by the comments of bullies, there were many children who don’t know better, who are being bullied or are learning bullying behaviour from adults who demonstrate those behaviours to them as the viewer had.
Ms Livingstone rounded off her four minute address with a message to young people.
“To all of the children out there who feel lost or who are struggling with your weight, with the colour of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now.
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“Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies, learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many.”
The video has since been shared by thousands of people including celebrities like Ellen Degeneres, and has been met with resounding support.
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