Once again, I am officially offended. This time it is not because of one of Donald Trump’s racist comments. It is not because some called me a “feminazi,” and it is not because someone picked on me, individually. It is actually because of something that was not aimed towards me as a woman. Though as a woman who is fully supportive of other women, I found myself compelled to respond.
Recently YouTube personality Nicole Arbour posted a video titled ‘Dear Fat People’ on her extremely popular channel. The six-minute video tells “fat people” to loose weight by not eating as much and walking more and has gained over three million views.
Some things that she said were, “What are you going to do, fat people? What are you going to do? You going to chase me? I can get away from you by walking at a reasonable pace.”
“Fat people parking spots should be at the back of the mall parking lot. Walk to the doors and burn some calories.”
“They complain, and they smell like sausages. And I don’t even think they ate sausages. That’s just their aroma. They were so fat that they’re that ‘standing sweat’ fat. Crisco was coming out of their pores.”
Honestly, after watching the video, I did not find it the least bit funny, and I had to often pause the video to try and think about what was going through her mind when she made it and posted it. The jokes were so ridiculous and so closedminded, it hurt to even watch such a beautiful woman on the outside display such a hateful heart on the inside.
Many people abandoned Arbour’s channel, and called her out for her hurtful video. It was also recently discovered, although Arbour denied it via Twitter, that she was fired from a movie that she was supposed to be choreographing because of her comments.
Then, just when we thought it could not get worse, Arbour responded to the backlash saying that she did not intend to offend anyone, and the video was not fat shaming at all. Well, dear Nicole Arbour, you are wrong. Your video is, in fact, fat shaming, and it is horribly wrong. You cannot change someone who does not see an issue with their actions.
She also said that is important to make fun of everyone and making fun of people unites us through jokes. Oh dear Nicole Arbour, the last part of your ‘sorry not sorry response’ is partially true. It is important to make jokes with all people but not in a discriminatory and harsh, shaming manner. Instead jokes should be made in a light, fun way that helps people find a sense of humor about themselves and does not demean anyone.
Arbour also says that she is being highly criticized and discriminated against because she is a women, not a man, who made the video. Well, dear Nicole, either way, man or woman, it is not funny to make people feel bad about themselves, especially their bodies.
What if some person made a dear skinny people video and told all of the skinny people in the world to eat burgers, that they look like skeletons, and seem to be on the brink of breaking every time they walk?
The answer is, it would hurt. Yes, a few very thick-skinned people might find it funny, but to the majority of us regular people in the world, with feelings and a sense of empathy, we would be hurt and offended because whichever way the shaming goes, it is wrong.
It also is said that she calls herself a comedian. Dear Nicole Arbour, you are not a comedian. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are comedians. They are funny, empowering, witty, smart women, who do not say dumb, heartless things and do not use their jokes to hurt others.
Then Arbour went on to say that her followers request the video topics she makes every week, so it was not “her idea.” But dear Nicole Arbour, you can say no to your followers. You do not have to take every suggestion, especially ones you know will stir up trouble and hate in the world as there is already an overabundance of it. Also, they did not write the jokes or say them. You did, so take responsibility.
But what is ultimately sad about this whole ordeal is that Arbour does not even have enough bravery in her soul to admit that she offended people and was hurtful. She is not mature enough to take the video down and acknowledge that she made people feel upset and bad about themselves. She will not crack up even the smallest of apologies. She is stubborn and using the publicity for her own benefit, not to empower others.
So dear Nicole Arbour, I will never watch a YouTube video of yours ever again. Instead I will support independent and positive female comedians, who do not make money off other people’s pain to make their own insecurities feel better.
Insecurities make us mean, and dear Nicole Arbour, through your video, you just proved that you have many.
