Tough one

 

 

This sort of has to do with our vacation since it did occur at the airport…so I figured I would take a Disney intermission…

This is Gabriel Iglesias

He is a hilariously funny comedian, who is a large man, whose act centers on poking fun at his size.

YouTube him and see how funny he can be, even about more than his weight. This is one of his most famous bits though….he has since added another category (I couldn’t find the clip) and that category is “oh, hell no” -

Now I pride myself in having raised my kids to be very accepting of people who are different. They have been on the receiving end of teasing and know how hurtful it can be. I don’t think I can ever think of a time, other than an occasional rare incident of encountering an errant homeless person acting odd on the street in Philly,  that my kids have ever pointed and asked about someone that was different.

So imagine my surprise when,as we were waiting to board our plane in Charlotte, K leans over to me and says, “mom, is that a damn, or a hell no?” – It took me a minute to really comprehend what she was saying, and I had to ask her to repeat herself, and the second time I notice C gesturing covertly to a large man waiting to board with us.

I had no idea what to say. They didn’t understand why at first I was so upset that they were talking about it. They were being discreet, and were not pointing, calling names, or being rude, they were simply repeating something they had heard this large comedian saying and get laughs. To them it was simply a funny bit and they were repeating it.  When I explained to them, that they did not know who around them knew this man,and could repeat what they were saying to him. And he possibly may never have heard of Gabriel, thus not know the bit, and be hurt by the words they were using. They, were, understandably confused. After all, it is funny when Gabriel does it, and I will admit it is a very funny bit. So, how do you explain to kids the difference between him poking fun at himself and them repeating it later on?

Fat, to me is still the minority that it seems to still be ok to publically bully, and tease.  Is Gabriel helping this cause? After all , if he can make these jokes about himself, can’t we all go ahead and make fun of people his size?  Parents who do not take the time after allowing their kids to see these bits, to talk to them about how appropriate it may not be to repeat. I never thought I would have to explain it myself. After I did, they both realized what I was saying, and did not mention it further. I have had people tell me I over reacted, and had people agree with me, which tells me it is a complicated issue. I am not talking about the whole “fat acceptance” movement, but simple old fashioned teasing, bullying and fingering pointing at over weight people. 

I love a good joke as much as the next person, and Gabriel is funny, jokes about his size and his love of cake, but also lots of other things. But off the stage, is it ok for the rest of us to repeat his jokes at the expense of other large people? where do we draw the line? I am not so sure.