Lisa Asked: "I am a lady of quite ample proportions. I have been called fat and various other names. Should being called "fat" be considered to be a hate crime?"
Lisa, I expect that you have read a recent parliamentary report says that a lack of self esteem is damaging a generation of children. That the children may struggle with school work and forming friendships. All children could now be required as part of the school curriculum to attend body confidence and self esteem classes at their school. If the above was not enough, the report suggests that appearance based discrimination should be deemed a hate crime.
The Equalities Act already makes it unlawful to harass, victimise or discriminate against anyone because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. So a new criteria of fat being added would seem the logical route that the government may choose. There is however, one significant problem with the discrimination act having a "full fat" content, added to the label. Since when could being bonny or even voluptuous be considered to be a crime.
A common term of endearment that was immortalised by the late Don Estelle in "It ain't half hot mum!" What happens if the same someone says hello "skinny" or says "have you been on the sea food diet," to someone of larger build.
But what is the cause of all this angst? It is the inability for parents and the media to work with schools to bring an end to the "skinny is good fat is bad" belief that haunts our children. Who cares about the tragedy of bullying when the requirement for a skinny almost emaciated body shape, sells magazines. The myth is perpetuated that a different body shape is bad.
This is one bit of legislation that I think will never make it to law. But the problem I foresee is our well balanced schools will over react and children will be traumatised by the actions of the do-gooders more than they would from being called lofty, skinny or fat.
Regards.
Uncle Mort.
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