Charles Barkley Under Fire for "Offensive" Comments

[GreatOak]

http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/07/charle...bese-comments/

Two powerful obesity organizations are having a hard time stomaching Charles Barkley's offensive comments about fat women in San Antonio ... and now they're calling for Sir Charles to apologize.

Barkley lashed out against the big boned community in S.A. on "Inside the NBA" last night -- saying, "Some big ol' women down there ... that's a gold mine for Weight Watchers."

He also said, "Victoria is definitely a secret [in San Antonio] ... they can't wear no Victoria's Secret down there."

The statements are not sitting well with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance which is now calling for Chuck to apologize, ASAP.

"Making slurs about body size is just as offensive as making comments about body color," spokesperson Peggy Howell tells TMZ Sports.

"One would think being a black man, he'd be more sensitive to having his physical body criticized. It's totally out of line. He should absolutely apologize."

The President of the Obesity Action Coalition has also issued a statement expressing "extreme disappointment" with Charles.

"As a former NBA player and sports entertainment figure, Mr. Barkley should encourage equality and respect among society and not look to shame or segment one population because of their size."

"Obesity is a serious medical condition and not a joking matter."

We reached out to Charles for comment -- so far, no word back.

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

This is why people laugh at us Americans. This is like a parody.

Charles Barkley is awesome and I hope he ignores those blubbery haters


I didn't know the fat acceptance people had a mainstream agenda. Unfortunately for us it's not confined to blog posts.

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[Deleted]

Being obese is not healthy, teaching people to accept obesity as a life style choice is saying it is ok to purposely be unhealthy.

[Stop Pretending]

I don't understand how fat acceptance is a thing. Since when is being over-weight, and unhealthy acceptable?

[Aeluron Lightsong]

As a norm it shouldn't accepted barring extreme circumstances.....(Like my father).. That said fat acceptance should be fat acknowledgement.

[Zethras]

I don't understand how fat acceptance is a thing. Since when is being over-weight, and unhealthy acceptable?

In the same way being a crack user or a prostitute is acceptable.

Wait...

[Deleted]

Some people don't understand banter.

He should send Peggy Howell a tub of ben and jerrys with a note saying relax fatso. Just googled a picture of her and the only thing she should be worried about is losing her foot to type 2 diabetes.

[SPOONMONKEYDROID84]

love barkley, makes me miss the 90s nba

[Stop Pretending]

love barkley, makes me miss the 90s nba

Exactly, Barkley does not care about being PC, he says how he feels, and he won't retract from it. The man is hilarious as well, and i love watching him rag on people on a consistent basis.

[PACOX]

He shouldn't have said what he said but it definitely isn't the same as a racial slur.

And I don't understand people and "fat shaming". It's just an excuse to project your insecurities onto someone else. So if someone is doing something unhealthy they should be ridiculed? I'm pretty sure here has something they could improve/change about their life, does that mean you should be ridiculed because of it?

[Deleted]

He shouldn't have said what he said but it definitely isn't the same as a racial slur.

And I don't understand people and "fat shaming". It's just an excuse to project your insecurities onto someone else. So if someone is doing something unhealthy they should be ridiculed? I'm pretty sure here has something they could improve/change about their life, does that mean you should be ridiculed because of it?

Fat shaming is bad, fat acceptance is even worse. Obese people should be encouraged to lose weight, not belittled or told they are perfect as they are.

[Nachturnal]

Agreed with all the posters so far. Sure what Barkley said was a little out of line. However, Peggy Howell runs an organization to promote acceptance of unhealthy behavior. I do not condone fat shaming, nevertheless, being obese is not acceptable. It is a detriment to someone's help and we shouldn't 'accept' it. It is something that can be worked to improve.

Fat shaming is bad, fat acceptance is even worse. Obese people should be encouraged to lose weight, not belittled or told they are perfect as they are.

On the same boat as you Rich. Fat acceptance is telling people, 'Hey, it's okay to be a little big! Nothing wrong with it at all ! So what if you might get diabetes, difficulty performing daily tasks, and just live all your life in an uncomfortable manner! You're special !'

[GreatOak]

love barkley, makes me miss the 90s nba

We all miss 90s NBA

[PACOX]

Fat shaming is bad, fat acceptance is even worse. Obese people should be encouraged to lose weight, not belittled or told they are perfect as they are.

What is this duality as if you must pick one of the other. People spend way too much time worrying about and critiquing others when there own life isn't so perfect.

Shaming and acceptance are dine but I think the goal behind acceptance is to counter the asinine logic behind shaming. Hard to make someone change if your just going to nag and belittle them. It's also asinine fir the hardcore acceptance crowd to pretend they are actually 100% healthy. The whole dialogue between the two is dumb but it's no bodies business by the fat persons and their doctor.

[IRunSoFarAway]

Being obese is not healthy, teaching people to accept obesity as a life style choice is saying it is ok to purposely be unhealthy.

Agreed. I actually didn't even know such organizations even existed, though I'm not surprised, there's something for everything these days.

[MyLifeIsRandom]

While I agree that you have no business mocking or insulting someone for how they look, overweight people being among them, two things come to mind. One is that the statements seemed like something out of a comedy routine. So, I figure it's probably exactly that... A joke. Why the fuck people can't just laugh at them is beyond me. The jokes, not the people in question. Secondly, if someone is overweight and decides not to do something about it, fine. It's not fine to insult them because of it, either. What's not right, however, is making it seem like it's okay and not a problem. I wonder if these organizations actually do anything to solve the problem that undoubtedly is obesity, such as help with regulating eating habits, organizing group exercises to improve and maintain fitness, advocating positive fitness and physical wellness role models, etc.

They more than likely aren't, sadly.

[lokithor]

Barkley is awesome, and IMO has every right to say what he does on this subject. He's lost a whole bunch of weight in the last couple of years, although I do kind of wonder how much Weight Watchers pays him every time he mentions them lol.

[Nachturnal]

What is this duality as if you must pick one of the other. People spend way too much time worrying about and critiquing others when there own life isn't so perfect.

Perfection isn't what people are seeking. The issue is that there is an organization which promotes unhealthy behavior. I get what you're saying, human beings spend too much time and effort worrying about the next guy, and what he/she is doing with their lives. However, no way can you accept an organization like that.

[Blueobelisk]

I saw that as it happened. I don't see the problem.

[PACOX]

It wouldn't be so bad if he was actually funny or if was the place for it. Comedians can do what they do because 1) they are actually funny 2) they are in the right setting/people understand the context.

Otherwise you just ending up looking like an ass.

[prwraith]

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

that..is the dumbest most irresponsible thing I've ever heard.