VIDEO: TV Anchor Stands Up for Herself in Honor of Anti-Bullying Month

Jennifer Livingston of WKBT-TV (CSB affiliate) in LaCrosse, Wisc. recently received an e-mail from a viewer who called her out by saying she’s “overweight and obese” and that she should reconsider her physical responsibility as a public personality. He backed his harmful comments up by saying she’s not setting a good example to children when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.

Instead of taking these harsh comments in the worst way possible and beating herself up over it, the morning show host fought back against the viewer on public television. “The truth is, I am overweight,” she admitted in a candid and honest segment. “You can call me fat and yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart. To the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that? Your cruel words are pointing out something I don’t see? You don’t know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family, and you admitted that you don’t watch this show so you know nothing about me besides what you see on the outside — and I am much more than a number on a scale,” asserted Livingston.

She continued with an inspirational speech to her viewers by saying, “We are better than that bully. We are better than this email. We are better than the bullies that would try to take us down.”

After Livingston singled out her critic by naming him a bully, she spoke on how October is national anti-bullying month. She argued back that her critic was actually setting a bad example himself to children by bullying her about her weight. “If you’re sitting at home calling the lady on TV fat, then your kids are going to go to school and call someone fat,” said Livingston.

Bullying is currently the fastest growing form of harassment and has caused great difficulties for parents and administrators who try their best to protect their kids and students. The six different types of bullying, according to CharitySub.org, are:

  1. Physical Bullying
  2. Verbal Bullying
  3. Indirect Bullying
  4. Cyber Bullying
  5. Social Alienation
  6. Intimidation Bullying
According to statistics from CharitySub, which features anti-bullying organizations this month, 56% of students have either been a witness to or a victim of bullying at school. For those who are victims, statistics show there is double the chance that they’ll take their own life compared to those who aren’t victims. Facts like these are why people like Livingston are becoming more vocal and standing up to bullies of any age.
Livingston isn’t the only one in the limelight being attacked for her weight. Recently a slight gain on Lady Gaga sent the media in to a front page tear, and she responded by posing nearly nude to show how beautiful she is no matter her weight. Christina Aguilera was vocal this week about embracing her life as a “fat girl,” in spite of nearly a year of media bullying for her obvious weight gain.
It’s going to take all of us loving ourselves enough to not hate on others. Jennifer Livingston just became one more beautiful beacon of hope in the fight against bullying.
Also Read:

Too Fat For 15’s Rachel and Alison Sweeney Speak Out About Bullying and Body Image

Trouble Maker Kids May Just be Sleep Deprived 

 

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Danielle
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by — Editorial Intern

Twitter: @DALagow

Participating in an active and healthy lifestyle is a top priority for Danielle Lagow, and she puts those ideals into action every day. She is a senior at Wichita State University, and splits her free time between gigs at DietsInReview, a local health club, and training as a bodybuilder.

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