A local news anchor took the air Tuesday to blast a viewer who attacked her for being overweight.

Jennifer Livingston of WKBT in La Crosse, Wis., slammed the viewer on-air after he wrote in to complain that Livingston wasn't "a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular" because of her size.

"I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years," the viewer wrote in the email titled "Community Responsibility."

"I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."

The letter quickly went viral after her husband, fellow WKBT anchor Mike Thompson posted it to his Facebook page Friday, telling followers that it made him "sick to his stomach."


On Tuesday, Livingston thanked the "hundreds" of people who have supported her — a response she called "truly inspiring" — before taking on her attacker.

"The truth is, I am overweight," she said. "But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don't know that?

"You don't know me ... so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside and I am much more than a number on a scale."


Livingston used the personal attack to send a public message about bullying, noting that October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month.

"That man's words mean nothing to me, but really angers me about this is there are children who don't know better — who get emails as critical as the one I received or in many cases, even worse, each and every day," she said, adding that children often learn bullying from their parents.

"To all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now," Livingston continued.


"Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience, that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many."


Editorial: Jennifer's Message to her Bully



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national...z28BXYvZ60

Wow... I can't believe someone would take so much time to write a letter like that, then again this world is full of silly and ridiculous people at times. The way the News Reporter/Anchor responded was appropriate. Keep doing your thing, news lady. <3

I like how she was able to turn something negative into something positive by sending a message to kids.

kudos.

The writer of the letter wanted attention, and got it.

This post was last modified: 10-03-2012 02:59 AM by Lang.

Wow and he wrote it in a nice way.

I saw the anchorwoman response she made during her local broadcast on CNN during lunch. She looked like she had a couple of extra pounds but she did NOT look obese but rather healthy looking. I can't believe that the guy who called her "fat" in the e-mail said she was a bad influence to young girls! I mean she looked healthy and wasn't carrying excess fat folds at all! I actually think the portrayal of women having to be anorexic and 80 pounds MUCH more harmful to teenage girls and young women than wearing plus size clothes and still looking good. From what I saw, this woman looked like she had an active lifestyle and doesn't have a diet of eating a bucket of KFC for lunch daily. I do not judge women or even men by their weight as long as they look healthy and can be quite active. Who cares about a couple of extra pounds. If someone is overweight by more than 50 pounds and it's noticeable that they are living an unhealthy life THEN I believe that weight can be an issue. I mean the man doesn't know how tall the news anchor is or anything ELSE about her and her lifestyle other than what is shown on the air. I mean she could be 5'9" and that's why she is a bit bigger. The taller you are the more you will weigh. I think it's great that this woman does not think negatively about herself because she isn't petite. She seems like a strong confident woman who actually likes herself and does not want to look like a stick. It's actually NICE to see that from a woman for a change! And FYI to the author of the hurtful e-mail: not EVERYONE who is obese can help it! Many have a thyroid problem and can't control their weight too well because it is a glandular problem. If the person ate KFC, McDonald's and OTHER fast foods daily for EVERY meal, THEN it's that person's problem!

This post was last modified: 10-03-2012 08:39 PM by Captain Jigglypuff.

After seeing this story on the news all day I have come to the conclusion that he wasnt bullying anyone.

He spoke his mind in a private correspondence. Did not tease or taunt her. Only did it once.

So by definition not bullying.

She was the one who declared it was bullying. Making much ado about a percieved insult.

She tried to make someone who voiced an opinion into a bad guy. And got world wide attention.

A real drama queen.

That doesnt make your responces any less relevant. As you were voicing your opinions.

She is obese. This is bullshit. I am morbidly obese, so I would know.

If he had written in, politely and privately, to complain about the colour of another presenter's skin, would that have been okay?

Fat is the new black.

Freedom of speech

Then again, he wasnt talking about race, just size.


Probably doesnt even realise that you have deemed fat to be the new black.

This post was last modified: 10-04-2012 02:26 AM by skyblue1 .

She claims to have a thick skin which is a lie. It hurt her and she is too much of a chicken to admit it. And one insensitive email isn't bullying. Men are insensitive by nature. Just replying to him would have been sufficient. Many people who are overweight do make an effort to lose weight. Many thin people tend to assume all fat people never exercise or tease people who make an effort to lose weight  by going to the gym and make them feel unwelcome. They fail to realize in their monkey brains they are not "helping" and make them feel like quitting.

That's a bit different. You can't go on a diet or exercise regime to change your skin color. I'm not saying she should be judged. But the truth is she is unhealthy. I am curious if the emailer ever once felt the need to inform an underweight tv personality about their weight.

she seems to be OK with her body image.

I saw nothing wrong with the way she looks. Well dressed, nice hair and carried her self well.

After watching it all day, I just got tired of it.

Bullying is an important subject.

This guy wasnt bullying, though.

Like you said, just being insensitive.

Us guys are idiots sometimes.

I also wanted to add, you can't die from having dark skin. That is unless you are a naturally fair skinned person who practically lives in tanning beds, then you get melanoma.

I look as big as her on tv and I sure ain't healthy. I think curves are nice. It softens your appearance and makes you appear younger. Madonna has 0 body fat and looks much older than she would if she had a small bit of cushioning. Too much body fat can also make you appear matronly, so yea. I'm trying to be somewhere in the middle.