Carlin-The Original Fat Shamer?
- Sandra Carusi
- Sep 8, 2015
- 4 min read
Crazy crazy times. Youtuber and Comedian, Nicole Arbour is under fire for her video 'Dear Fat People'. I had never heard of her before this and I saw a post from comedian Paul Bae who indicated he was a high school teacher and this video may have negative impact on high school students who get bullied because of their weight. I watched Arbour's video and I thought it was harsh.Before I formed an opinion, I decided to learn more about her. A couple of weeks ago she posted something about Wayne Dyer after his passing and how he heavily influenced her during her health challenges. She had two car accidents and was disabled and had to learn to walk again and he inspired her. I also learned that far before this video aired, she had a large following and about 10years of some experience in comedy. Since I have been through my own health challenges, I know how hard it is to fight for your health. And Arbour's rant sounds like she is frustrated with people who don't take responsibility for their health. Perhaps she , like I , faced death in the face which has caused her bullsh*t meter to go off the charts, and to come down harsh on people who take their health for granted. I know I became that way with smokers after my cancer diagnosis. I smoked too and I blamed that for my diagnosis. I started to read all the backlash occurring from Arbour's post and realized that the comments were just as harsh as hers. A lot of people, including comedians, were criticizing her for creating this post in order to drive higher views on her videos and a greater social media following over all. I know one thing , that nobody can fake passion, even to create a following. She was very passionate and it came from somewhere. And maybe her accident has made her a little rougher on the edges. We don't know. But to criticize her for wanting attention and a following is hilarious on to itself. What comic doesn't want a following or attention? I don't think comedy should come at the expense of others (although I hammer my exhusband to smithereens--all with his approval though), but it is an artform and its called 'insult comedy'. Its how Don Rickles became famous and what made George Carlin famous. In fact, George Carlin has his own 'fat shaming' rant that makes Arbour look like an Altar girl. Click Here to see Carlin shaming rant. And while you are at it, check out Ricky Gervaise's fat shaming here . I'm not saying this is all ok, I'm asking why is everybody freaking out about Nicole Arbour? Maybe, just maybe, because she's a super babe? I mean she is gorgeous. Attractive female comedians have a very difficult time with the craft and don't normally get away with what other comedians get away with. I know, some people are saying, 'boohoo she's a babe'. But why should she be shamed anymore than obese people? You can't put out the same thing that she is being accused of otherwise the whole issue is moot. In no way am I supporting what she had to say, especially because has her #Goteam positivity movement. But this whole issue has a lot more to do with us, than her. Are middle aged , seasoned, white males, like Carlin and Gervais allowed to say whatever they want and young, beautiful female comedians are not?
A couple of years ago I was looking the best I had ever looked. I didn't realize it of course, until now when I don't look that way. Battling cancer caused me to lose my long hair and the meds caused me to gain 10pounds. Many say 'you are lucky to be alive' and I reply, 'and so are you'. We are all lucky to be alive. But when cancer patients go through the indignity of the disease, coupled with the loss of appearance UNVOLUNTARILY, then its a whole different story. I didn't gain weight because I ate too many Big Macs, I gained because of the meds. And I didn't shave my head to look cool, I had my hair fallout . When I performed material BC (before cancer), I got some laughs. But now that I'm heavier, short hair, and not as glamourous look, I get way way more laughs based on the same material. Mmmmm. Does somebody want to explain that to me? Very simple. We don't want to laugh at glamourous, attractive females. As a target of many insecure females over the years, I learned that the catty types need to calm down. I don' t think I was targeted for my appearance, but for my strength and confidence. These are qualities that we often attach to attractive females like Arbour. But is she? Do we know that? Is she strong and confident? We don't know and it doesn't matter. Let's just make sure we are not hammering her because she's gorgeous. Try watching her video but look away and listen only to the audio. Then listen to Carlin and Gervais' audio. Then you decide.
Look at yourself first and maybe our social order needs to change. Let's stop championing the Kardashian world and then think we have a right to hammer it, the second they trip up. I personally like to hammer the Kardashians, but more because we are a bunch of morons for building their royalty in our society. We created the Kardashian culture. And we also created Arbour.
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