A Wisconsin television anchor’s bold retort to a viewer who suggested she was too fat to be on TV has spurred a heartwarming response — and a new discussion about the boundaries of bullying.
Jennifer Livingston, 37, an anchor/reporter at WKBT-TV in LaCrosse, Wis., received an email last week from a viewer criticizing her size.
“Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain,” the viewer said. “I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Many media types may have shrugged off the criticism as part of the job. Anyone who’s in the public eye is used to hate mail, name-calling — and worse. But then Livingston’s husband, fellow WKBT anchor Mike Thompson, posted the email on the station’s Facebook page.
Ms. Livingston’s response was wonderfully stated. You can see it here: