35 years ago I had family from Texas come visit. I had a wild Thompson squirrel that sat in my lap and ate peanuts. Named her "Fatty". She was very rotund, she ate tons of peanuts. So cute....she'd hold my fingers while she ate her peanut. My relatives were OUTRAGED, because their little girl Noah, she was 5 years old....had to see that! Calling the squirrel FAT, she/Fatty wasn't offended....she was well cared for....and yet...they were VERY upset and vowed NEVER to visit me again!

I'm obviously not offended and think the sign is cute.....but......35 years ago it was politically incorrect and offensive to use the word "FAT". I can only imagine if I'd named my squirrel "Ugly"! lol

No doubt the sign was in poor taste. The reaction to it is far worse. I can't imagine going through life thinking everything is about me and how it makes me feel. That attitude is a bit self centered. Someone wrote something silly. It may have tickled some funny bones. If it made you roll your eyes, move on. It's not all about you.

Jokes, just not laugh out loud funny, is how those sayings would strike me. Certainly nothing to get up in arms about unless there is more to the story. Was this a departure from what he normally posts, I presume?

Stop the signs. No one needs that. Move on.

I'm weary of all these sensitive people who have no sense of humor, but then I'm old now and won't be around much longer so they can all breath easy when all us old bigots finally croak forever. I was called all kinds of names growing up. PWT (poor white trash) WV hillbilly, and much worse. If you don't grow a thick skin when people really are being mean you aren't going to survive the remarks said in jest. No, there's no excuse for being intentionally rude and mean, but people, lighten up. There are far worse things going on in the world than that sign, believe me. You've just been coddled and petted so much all your lives you don't know the meaning of really being mistreated.

I can't visualize putting that on a sign. I'd probably find it funny. Everyone knows you're not really ugly unless a little kid calls you ugly. Little kids always tell it like it is.

I am glad to see many of you still have a sense of humor. Jokes, sarcasm, dark humor seem to have gone by the wayside because there will always be someone triggered by them. You can't please everyone all of the time.

I am fluffy and I think the sign is witty. No malice.

Maifleur01 - I am sorry your family did that to you. But that is on them not some silly sign that reminds you of their cruel behavior.

As someone being on the north side of the recommended weight guidelines all my life, I would have been offended by the sign. Imagine if you are someone that has self esteem issues and had to drive by that sign everyday.

The sign is totally inappropriate. Whether you have a sense of humor or not, making fun at the expense of others is never acceptable.

I think the woman’s response was wrong. She should have approached your friend and spoke to him directly.
As someone who was teased constantly by my 10 and 8 year older siblings and 5 year older cousin (who lived downstairs) by fat, ugly and stupid “humor” that I was supposed to develop a thick skin against, I don’t find it amusing.
A public billboard? It’s not appropriate.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying this type of humor can’t be funny. Don Rickles was hysterical. But you knew what you were signing up for if you ever listened to him.
A public billboard? No.

I find the signage unfunny. I've never had to struggle with weight issues but one of my daughters has all her life. She's a grown woman now and unless she wants to talk about her weight, I don't bring it up. We already went through that when she was a teenager. She has a good life, many friends and a great sense of humor. But I know if she saw those signs it would hurt even if she denied it.

I wonder if this (former) police officer has weight issues of his own. Is he laughing at himself too or not?

I find the sign very juvenile and silly aka a person looking for attention. Time to grow up.

I don't particularly find the signs offensive, but I don't agree with posting them on road signs even if it's just within a community. Seems it would be distracting if anything.

Poor taste and cannot believe the community kept it up! Did the committee vote as a group to put it up or did one person do it?

I find them rude and distasteful (and any other synonyms that I can think of for the word 'offensive'). I would certainly not vote for that president again, he/she shows very poor taste and a lack of empathy.

Yes, my friend is a big guy himself. The road signs normally have notices of events happening in the community, but since it’s summer and not much is happening, he thought putting up funny sayings put a smile on people’s faces and didn’t want anything boring on them.

The wording on that sign is not new. IT's been around for a long time and the word "fat" can be replaced with any other adjective as well.

In this overly sensitive climate would I have put it up - no. I feel sorry for the fellow who did, he certainly doesn't deserve the treatment that he is receiving.

I think the signs are mean. Besides, fat and ugly are subjective. I may think you are just a little overweight, you might think you are terribly obese. I won't even address the ugly part of if. With so many people that have issues around being called those two adjectives, it's wrong. And I have a great sense of humor and love to laugh and wouldn't call myself overly sensitive. Your friend is not a very smart man, thinking there would be no backlash. Or maybe he knew and wanted to rile people up? You never know in these uncivil times.

For me, this is a tale about many people who must be bored and must need more things and more substantive things to do in their lives. It's a waste of time to think about such a matter for more than one second or to be the creator of such a sign.

I think the sign is in bad taste. There are many other things that would be better.

I see some on here missed the point of what I wrote last night. My experience is not unusual. It could have lead me to become anorexic or bulimic the way some become. There is a difference between an adult seeing this sign and what a child or even a young adult seeing this sign will internalize especially if they are told that they are fat and ugly or if they even think they are based on society norms. Signs like this are simply not appropriate in public spaces.

Think about the children, especially girls, who may read those sign. I think they should never have been conceived, let alone put up along a roadway. So much for giving our kids positive body images.

I grew up with a mom who was/is a comedian, so humor is something I'm very, very comfortable with. I don't think that "saying" is appropriate for a road side sign. I think he was looking for a reaction and got it.

What if a sign at a restaurant said anorexics eat here? Honestly I think your nice friend made a mistake. The threats he is receiving is uncalled for though.

Wouldn't bother me in the least.

Lower level of intelligence at work there. He's not only stupid, but mean, too. Now, there's an ugly combination.

Here’s what I think:

Regarding the signs, some will find them amusing, some will find them offensive, some will not consider them at all. They were, perhaps, insensitive, but gee I see that kind of thing on FB all the time. The sign-poster’s intention was not to offend, or insult. He could have made a better choice, but the signs weren’t directed at anyone individually.

Regarding the response: I am incredibly appalled at the behavior of THAT person who called him personally out on it, and accused him of other heinous characteristics as well. And, I am further appalled at the behavior of people who pile on that, contact the fellow directly, and, oh for goodness’ sake, send death threats. She has personally put this fellow in a very, very bad position. And frankly I consider her behavior much, much worse than his, because it was intentional and targeted.

Be human.

Because "I see that kind of thing on FB all the time" does not mean the behavior is acceptable. Haven't we all learned that by now?

A lot of things happen that are not acceptable, like expanding the accusations and death threats. The woman could and should have taken it up directly with the man who put up the signs.

Not an appropriate sign to be posted by any government official. (Is it a government sign?)

Stop making put downs normal and acceptable.

Not a problem. Along the same line, can you imagine the uproar if Armor hot dogs ran their commercial from the 70s? "Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks. Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox" hahaha. Armor would be made to build safe spaces and provide counseling.

Stop making going to the media with complaints and outrage normal and acceptable before taking them to the individual who did it, or who can fix it.

Not a problem. Along the same line, can you imagine the uproar if Armor hot dogs ran their commercial from the 70s? "Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks. Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox" hahaha. Armor would be made to build safe spaces and provide counseling.

Thankfully times have changed and we have learned.

Stop making going to the media with complaints and outrage normal and acceptable before taking them to the individual who did it, or who can fix it.

What if the offender is in a high office? Someone who often degrades others? And has been asked to stop.

We have learned that if we gang up on people we can get a sign taken down, or close a business. It is ugly, frightening, and truly heinous to be on the receiving end of such vindictiveness. It goes far beyond being offended.

The man was wrong, the woman was worse, and everyone who joined her in the assault is beyond the pale.

This was a community sign, if I am reading correctly. No business involved.

I happen to live in a country that the leader is quick to degrade people. It’s ok to speak out, because talking to the one in charge is useless. Yes, ask that the sign (or words) is removed, if it’s not speak out.

https://edmonton.eventful.com/events/fatties-yeg-pool-party-/E0-001-128890977-4

Let's have our FIRST outdoor pool party, just for fat folks and CELEBRATE OUR RESILIENCE AS FATTIES! _____________________________________________________ Our rental is from 9-10pm, but some of us will be arriving a few hours earlier to enjoy the sun, and those that wish to join are welcome! Tickets are $0, $5 or $10. There is an option to choose your donation as well! *All priced tickets include a service charge* Offerings: -Doughnut Party is donating MANY donuts! -Snacks! -Photo backdrop! -Fatties of YEG merch sold by sliding scale, with funds going to support future Fatties of YEG events! Accessibility notes: -The pool is located in the river valley, down a steep hill. -According to the City of Edmonton website, there is an accessible side entrance and there are accessible change rooms, however no accessible washrooms or pool lift -Bus routes 1 and 4 go down Whyte Avenue. You would then need to ride your bike or walk down the hill to the pool.

Categories: Neighborhood

Celebrating their resilience. She used the word “fat/fatties” 4 times.

Maddie, this guy could have a business, or a job, or volunteer somewhere, and all that is now at risk. Over this. Had the woman been able to privately educate him and convince him to make it right, he could move forward a better person. Instead, he lives in fear of death threats (and I guarantee people don’t stop at threatening him, but also his family), people may boycott him, and his employer may not want to take the risk of his being there.

I cannot believe it is okay for people to assault the man in this way.

See that's the thing...its okay to be PROUD to be fat, to call yourself a fattie, to throw it in peoples faces and UNITE to CELEBRATE your excess weight. But its a problem if someone else dares to use the f word,even if it is not maliciously directed at anyone, which it WAS NOT HERE. That. Is. Insane. It is also insane to threaten DEATH against someone for hurting your feelings. Some people love to laugh. Some people love to be mad. This man seemed to satisfy both groups.

There are posts here on the Smile threads that make light the challenges and physical changes relating to weight and aging. Are they "bullying" people?????? There are posts on those threads that have blonde jokes, and jokes that single out men and those that single out women. Are they malicious, or are they meant to make you laugh????? Are they ageist, sexist...um...hair color-ist??????

And, we know nothing about the man’s own appearance. And until I saw the “fatties of yet” reference, and looked it up, I knew nothing about the woman’s own appearance.

He is a retired Edmonton Police Officer who served on the force for 30 years before retiring. He then began volunteering in the community and became president of his community league. Right now he is battling stage 3 Lymphoma cancer and trying to be positive and upbeat. All this negative media attention is causing him stress. I say, lighten up people and try to see the humour in it. There are more pressing issues going on in this world then a road sign.

Liira, I’m sending my support across the miles to your friend.

I'm sorry about his illness. His sense of humor, though, doesn't belong on community billboards. I'm not offended by the joke. Just think it's very poor judgement to display it on a sign for the public.

I'm tired of people being offended over minor things. I recently started going to the gym. Is he calling me ugly? Of course not. Would I be mad if the YMCA had that sign posted tomorrow. Certainly not. What if I saw a sign I didn't like? I wouldn't start death threats.

I'm fat and ugly and don't really care that someone put something like this on a sign. Have so many more things to worry about in this world. I want to enjoy what time I have left on earth.

Kathsgrdn, I don't think you are fat and ugly, but I agree with your last sentence.

Just saw another mention of the situation on The Today Show feed - Facebook.

Controversial sign

@maddielee, can't believe it made it to the Today Show.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

Fat-shaming is the last sociably acceptable form of discrimination. Food choices and exercise are only two of the many factors that influence weight.

Public insults and humiliation is wrong and if you do it or allow someone else to do it in your presence, it says a lot more about you than the person you are judging.

Fat shaming is NOT socially acceptable. The majority of the population is overweight. And the mere mention of weight has people throwing a hissy fit, as shown by this example. People are threatening to kill this man who didn't even single anyone out,is overweight himself,and was trying to make people smile with a joke. I suppose he didn't expect all the snowflakes in the summertime. If you mention that someone is unhealthy because of their obesity, it's insulting. If you mention that maybe booty shorts and a tube top perhaps isn't flattering on someone who is 300 pounds...that's "shaming." No one is allowed to say anything about anyone, or they are "bullying" them. It's silly.

And food choices and exercise are the main reasons for excess weight or lack thereof. This obesity epidemic was unheard of 30 years ago. Our DNA has not changed in those 30 years. What and how much we eat and how much we move has. People do not like to hear that and face the fact that they caused themselves to be overweight. They would rather blame their genes, hormones,or whatever else they can think of. I suppose that is the reason that these signs have touched so many nerves.