Give credit to La Crosse, Wisconsin, anchor Jennifer Livingston for taking an ugly email criticizing her for her weight and turning it around to make a positive statement about weight and bullying.
Livingston, an anchor at WKBT, responded directly to an email she received from a viewer complaining about her weight.
“I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition has not improved for many years,” the email reads. “Surely you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain.”
Her response was a classic as reported by TV Spy and ran for a full four minutes (below):
“To the person who wrote me that letter — do you think I don’t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that 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 have admitted that you don’t watch this show. So you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on the scale.”
Livingston went on to say that October is National Bullying Month, and that she hopes her response to the email will serve to raise awareness of bullying behavior, which is “passed down from people like the man who wrote me that email.”
“If you are at home and talking about the fat news lady, guess what? Your children are probably going to go to school and call someone fat,” Livingston said. Livingston thanked friends, family and colleagues, saying, “I will never be able to thank you enough for your words of support, and for taking a stand against this bully. We are better than that email. We are better than the bullies that will try to take us down.”
It should be noted that while many people seem to be responding positively to Livingston’s response, others felt responding personally and so strongly to an anonymous emailer was a bit over the top. Many people on the news side of the TV business also questioned giving her 4 minutes of air time for her personal response was too much.
WELL DONE!
Nice comeback. She handled this very well.
TV ANCHORS ARE EASY TARGETS
Extraordinary, on so many levels.
A very personal statement, with meaning that can touch thousands of people in her TV audience, and carry on for long after. It’s easy to talk about such things when they relate to others, but not so easy when it’s about yourself
Those of us who have lived on the tube get letters and e-mails like this occasionally, but usually don’t respond, and certainly not so eloquently. Answering something like this often just elevates the intensity of the attacks, so it’s easier to just hit “Delete”.
Her e-mail also points out the increasing level of vicious, mean-spirited discourse on the Internet. Some people, possibly because of the anonymity, feel freer to be meaner to others, and your friendly TV anchors are easy targets.
So, Jennifer Livingston, you have shown in so many ways that you are so much better than the man who wrote you. The only comment I have about your appearance is that you look and act like a real professional, which has always been the highest praise a news anchor can receive.
And, remember the book written by a San Diego minister, Terry Cole-Whittaker, “What You Think of Me Is None of My Business”. That works for just about anyone but News Directors.
Dear Jennifer:
Well done, well said. Having been morbid obese most of my life, I took a lot of abuse and mean words directed at me. I, too, would turn those words right around and direct them at the individual who launched them at me.
I realized several years ago that my morbid obesity was at odds with my health and longevity and having tried many, many times to lose the weight on my own or with the assistance of some kind of program. I opted for bariatric surgery and am glad to say that I am now six years post-op and have kept my 208 pound weight loss off without any recidivism.
I am still, however, very mindful of the remarks that come out of my mouth and that could have the potential to hurt someone.
Thank you again for your chutzpah and in keeping your cool against this insensitive individual.
Sincerely,
Susan M Guck
Lacon, IL 61540
MICHELLE?
Did Michelle Obama write the letter?
HAVE TO TAKE BRICK-BATS WITH GOOD
This TV person will never make in a major market (and they all strive to bigger markets because the pay where they’re at is very low).
She takes it personally. Sorry, being on air is a business and you have to take the brick-bats with the good. Doesn’t have a thick-enough skin to cut it for the long run. As Dan Rather said eloguently, “We are not the story.” People on-air who think they’re the story and not the newsmaker need to look in the Nielsen mirror and find out why their HUTS continue to drop.
Jennifer Blome is right; it’s feedback and Jennifer knows the issue because she’s gotten plenty of messages over the years about her weight.
SHOOTING THE MESSENGER
This woman is a classic whiner who can’t handle the truth. Instead of taking some good advice and getting in better shape, she shoots the messenger. Another horrible example of a person not taking responsibility for their actions