Absolutely no one is perfect, and if we spent our entire lives chasing the image of ‘perfection’, we would probably end up deeply unhappy, dissatisfied and even perhaps a little boring.
Everyone (hopefully) knows by now that body-shaming is never okay, which is why we salute US broadcaster Marcella Raymond’s frustration and shock over receiving a letter from a viewer, telling her that she is too heavy.
The 50-year-old, who has worked at news station WGN for years, took to her Facebook page this week to share a screenshot of the appalling letter she received.
It read: “You are an excellent reporter. Content is no problem…However, please allow me to point out (with great respect) that you have gained too much weight.”
Got this lovely letter from a viewer this morning.
Posted by Marcella Raymond on Tuesday, March 22, 2016
The ‘concerned’ viewer went on to highlight the apparent issues that Marcella’s body shape presents – as well as supposedly sending a negative to viewers about self-discipline, the author warned Marcella that she will likely lose her job to a younger, thinner woman if she doesn’t change.
The letter closed with: “It’s hard enough to keep jobs in TV; why make it more difficult on yourself? At some point, management will view your being significantly out-of-shape as a reflection of your not caring or not ‘keeping your house in order’.”
As you can imagine, Marcella’s friends and followers were just as shocked and disgusted as she was, that someone could pick her body image apart in this way and even question her future in her career as a result.
“You're awesome and you look amazing!!! I don't understand people sometimes!! Hold your head up high and ignore ignorance!!!” wrote one concerned Facebook user.
When Us Weekly reached out to Marcella for comment on the incident, she was only too happy to share her thoughts on both the letter and the topic of body-shaming – and she had a very important message to spread to others criticised over their body-image.
“Honestly, if I lost 20 pounds I would feel better about myself, but I would do it for me - not anyone else. I've learned to not be so hard on myself. This is me and, at 50 years old, I've finally accepted me,” she said.
Admitting that she was hurt by the harsh words of the letter, she insisted that the pain was ‘short-lived’, as she knows that ‘perfection’ is unattainable for anyone.
“Perfection is too hard to try to get to, let alone maintain. I would rather enjoy my life than be obsessed about my weight. I hope, because of my story, someone will think twice about what they say,” she added.
Everyone can take something from Marcella’s experience and response.
