Boris Kodjoe may have lost a few plus-size Twitter followers over this past weekend after opining on the Black community’s need to be more health conscious. It all began when he tweeted: ““Like a baby. Had nightmares though about 300 pound women in thongs gnawing on chicken wings while grinding on me. Scary. Gotta Love North Carolina.”
Of course this led to his followers questioning whether he disliked big women, and he responded that he loved ALL women – which he followed with an education session on alarmingly high rates of obesity among African-Americans. He even started the the trending topic #FATEXCUSES to further highlight the refusal to workout:
“Ok, people. Just to make it clear. I love all women! I love them tall and short, big and small, dark and light, short hair and long hair. You all know [Nicole] and I are all about health. And we as a community have to be more conscious of our health. The numbers are shocking. I love ‘thickness’. And I love a woman who loves herself. And loving yourself is being healthy. Here some # from the US Dept. for minority health: 4 out of 5 African-American women are overweight or obese! Obesity related diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer (only 5 types of cancer are hereditary) are the leading cause of death. It’s not about conforming to these ridiculous ‘skinny’ beauty standards in the media, it’s about being healthy so your kids can be healthy.”
High blood pressure and Type II diabetes are only 30% from genes and 70% from environmental input, aka bad diet and no exercise[…]By popular demand, a new slogan: SEXY STACKED GODDESS No weight differentiation, BMI, or label needed. It stands for healthy and confident. “
Boris then listed the excuses he’s heard from people who refuse to lose weight:
–Fat Excuse – ‘DON’T HAVE TIME TO EXCERCISE‘ If u have time 2 watch ‘Keeping up With the Kardashians’ u hv time 2 do jumping-jacks n crunches
Fat Excuse-’IT’S SO BORING‘ Well, put your iPod on and do the Dougie, work out with your man, or take a fun class
Fat Excuse -’I HAVE NO MONEY FOR A GYM’ Go in the park and walk, bike, walk stairs, do it in your bedroom, do the Boogie…again
Fat Excuse-’MEN LIKE THICK GIRLS’ There’s a difference between a healthy and sexy stacked goddess and an unhealthy obese one
Fat Excuse -’I LIKE FRIED FOODS’ ok, portion control is key. You don’t have to be a vegan, just take it easy on too much fried and processed foods
Boris used Rihanna’s name to drive the point that our culture is more obsessed with celebrities than they are concerned about real-life issues:
I don’t butter up. I challenge people and I want to be challenged. I want us to be healthier, happier, more successful with real aspirations. Our kids’ education sucks, our health is poor, our men are in jail, and we are broke, so let’s not talk about Rhianna’s hair color ok?
Gotcha! see, that’s all we care about. Sad. I’m done for today. Just everyone please take some responsibility for yourselves. Let’s all be better.
VERY valid points. What are your thoughts Boris’ opinions on Black health or lack thereof?
