Candice Bergen, a stunningly gorgeous and gifted actress with a lifetime of accolades recently wrote a memoir. According to People Magazine, what she wants us to know, first and foremost, is neither that she is the daughter of the great Edgar Bergen, or anything related to her superb creative legacy.
NO, she wants the public to know now, in advance, that she is FAT. Really. THIS is what Candice feels she needs to announce and dispense with?
Oprah tells the story of accepting a BIG award ( as in Emmy, Oscar or other) and rather than pride at that moment, she only felt shame; humiliated by her weight. Finding joy in her accomplishments was impossible in her dress size.
Two intelligent, powerful women with so much to say, and their first message or memory is about their weight. Is that what you’ll remember about Oprah? Or Candice?
Well, how about the rest of us? I don’t have the awards of either one, nor the legacy.
If Candice and Oprah feel existentially undeserving, assured of chastisement, or that our sole curiosity about them will focus on their size, how are the rest of us supposed to find a little self esteem beneath our flab?
C’mon, America.
Stop the snickering, stop the fat phobia, the fat prejudice and the fat condescension.
Candice and Oprah are NOT failures and neither are the rest of us. None of us should have to defend ourselves because of our BMI’s.
Great observation Allison. We are trained by the media to think we’re too fat, not rich enough, or otherwise lacking so we will buy their “helpful” products. It’s all a conspiracy of consumption. I wish people got outside more and stopped listening to tv.
Dear Eileen,
You are soooooo right! The best “products” are the sand, the sea, the mountains, the wind, and our souls. They’re free, they’re connected to the Divine, and don’t require a mirror or credit card! Thanks so much for commenting!
Candice Bergen was interviewed by Matt Lauer from the Today show regarding the publication of her book. In that interview, she called herself fat. Ms. Bergen is beautiful and talented and hopefully, so much more than a number on her scale. We should all be or at least strive to be so much more than a number on the scale!