Top 10 Favorite Comments on Maura Kelly’s Marie Claire article

My friend Steph just posted this little ditty about how she’s worth it (and boy, is she) partly in response to the now infamous Marie Claire article written by Maura Kelly. I first heard about it two nights ago when I saw tweets flying back and forth among my good Twitter friends. Being the curious gal I am, I headed over to find out what had upset my tweeps so much…and boy, did I find it. And then I read Kelly’s article again because I couldn’t believe she had really written this:

To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I’d find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair.

Oh yes, she did. I believe everyone has a right to an opinion (of course), but some opinions (obviously) need not be voiced, especially in such a condescending manner. Oh, wait. She was trying to be helpful with those tips on weight loss?!?!

After hopping back on Twitter to join ranks with those who were still shaking their fists at Maura Kelly, I revisited the article now curious about the comments. I wanted to know just what those 878+ comments said. (The total is now over 2,000.) Though some defended her, the majority voiced outrage, hurt and disbelief at Marie Claire and the author for publishing the article and even more mentioned canceling a current subscription, vowing never again to buy another Marie Claire magazine.

Because I am a firm believer in the power of humor to heal (at least a little bit), I started tweeting some of my favorite comments on Maura Kelly’s article. Here are my top 10 favorites in no particular order. Feel free to add your favorites to the list!

Top 10 Favorite Comments on Maura Kelly’s Now Historic Marie Claire Article

1. “Was the apology meant to be a joke?”
2. “I’d rather be fat and happy than stupid and nasty!”
3. “Stick to writing bad, cliche dating advice, and leave real world issues to educated informed women.”
4. “I think Oprah should call Maura and do a piece on her. I wonder what she would say to a rich, black, woman dealing with weight issues? I wonder what Oprah would say?”
5. “Saying you can say whatever you want about weight because you have ‘plump’ friends is like telling a racist joke and then saying, ‘It’s okay. I have a black friend.'”
6. “I’m not moved by an apology that was obviously written by someone else who owns a heart. Find a new job.”
7. “After reading this stunning example of insensitivity, I can only come to one conclusion: as a lifelong overweight person struggling to lose weight, I still think I’ll have an easier time overcoming my challenges than Maura will finding her soul.”
8. “When I read your article, I immediately pictured you as a gorgeous glamazon, put forth upon this earth to judge us average people with a little extra chub on our bellies. Thank GOD for Google. You’re actually desperately average looking. I’d never notice you on a semi-crowded street. This is good news. I’m ‘chubby’ but you’re very very painfully average. And luckily, I can lose weight.”
9. “Those friends you have that could be called plump? I sincerely hope that they aren’t your friends anymore.”
10. “You inspire me to heights of headdesking previously unattainable without use of large amounts of Botox.”*

* Quite possibly my most favorite out of the list.

Feel free to Google Maura Kelly and catch the fallout from her post. Like Nathan often reminds me, when it comes to the online world, once it’s out there, it’s out there…and you can’t take it back.