There is a lot of running in our house.  Six young kids means one is always running after another, sometimes threatening with squirt guns or Nerf guns, sometimes just for the thrill of it – whatever. I generally encourage this game and often participate, as long as it stays fun. And it always does. Except when it doesn’t. Sometimes the shit gets real when kiddos are tired of running or don’t like the threats. They start to scream “Mom, she is chasing me, tell her to stop!” and invariably I calmly say “No one can chase you if you are not running.”

This is true, you can stop someone from dictating what you are doing by simply not reacting, not giving them the power. Maybe they will catch up to you and shoot you with a Nerf gun, but probably not. Mostly they are just trying to make you run. Not reacting takes away all the fun from someone in this game of power.

I thought of this when I saw the response of Jennifer Livingston, the newscaster who received an email saying she is not a suitable example as a public figure because she is overweight. Everyone with a Facebook page had something to say about this, but my eyebrows are raised a bit as to why it is such big deal. Jennifer offered a bold response in which she makes some very good points. However, she says the email was an attack, the words were cruel, and went on to call it bullying.

This is not bullying. Bullying is the use of superior strength (physical, emotional, intellectual, or social) to intimidate someone into doing something. Jennifer, honey, the man who wrote you this email is in no way your superior. You are a well spoken, attractive, confident woman who bravely makes her living by being informed and presenting on camera. Contrary to what this man who took the time to email you thinks, you are a more than suitable role model, who – by the way- happens to look like a lot of Americans.

When Jennifer responded, she used words like scary and weapons to describe the ideas put forth. I get that she is a news person and sensationalizing is second nature – but when someone with a different perspective wants you to change, you don’t have to run. You can say “thank you” for the judgment and move on – you will both feel better.

I did like Jennifer’s call to eliminate hate speech from our lives and to keep kids safe from bullying. Those are great concerns. But the email wasn’t mean. There was no name calling or what I would call cruel intentions; the email was more about one man’s fitness-based world view and his inability to define you by anything other than your BMI.

Not your issue Jennifer. His. No one can chase you if you are not running.

Tell your friends...