Action Alert: Charles Barkley's Weight Shaming comments on TNT

OBESITY ACTION COALITION (OAC) CALLS ON TNT TO SUSPEND CHARLES BARKLEY FOR STIGMATIZING COMMENTS TOWARD INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY THE DISEASE OF OBESITY

Sign the petition:  http://bit.ly/1ObAbE6

Tampa, Fla. - The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), a more than 52,000 member-strong organization, is calling on TNT to suspend Charles Barkley for his latest weight bias-fueled comments made during a recent Inside the NBA broadcast on TNT.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Barkley has once again taken the low road and targeted women in San Antonio for their weight and size. In 2015, the OAC spoke out publicly against Mr. Barkley's biased comments, and once again, he's unfairly targeted individuals dealing with obesity," said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.

The OAC maintains a strong stance on weight bias in that individuals affected by obesity frequently struggle with not only the health and physical consequences of their disease, but also with other social consequences. The OAC strongly believes that no person should be discriminated against based on their size or weight.

As a former NBA player and sports personality, Mr. Barkley should encourage equality and respect among society and not look to segment one population because of their size. Obesity is a serious medical condition impacting more than 72 million U.S. adults nationwide.

"My question to Mr. Barkley would be, 'What value does targeting this population bring to your abilities as an NBA analyst? Why do you continue to stigmatize individuals with obesity?' There is simply no value to his comments, and they need to stop - now," said Amber Huett-Garcia, MPA, OAC Chairwoman.

Mr. Barkley repeatedly offends individuals with obesity, and yet, TNT and the NBA fail to see the problem with this. At this time, the OAC is calling on all members and the public to contact TNT leadership and encourage the suspension of Mr. Barkley. The OAC has also contacted the Commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, to encourage Mr. Barkley to immediately apologize for his comments.

You just give him more oxygen.  Noone, who is not obese, sees obesity as a special interest group.  All publicity is good for Charles Barkley and TNT.

He's an ass, but sports fans love that about him.  This is a losing battle

Part of me feels the same way about any publicity being good in their eyes... but you know I think of the people that are hurt by what he says... some woman in San Antonio that reads it or hears it, sitting their enjoying the game with her kids... feeling the sting of that ignorance knows they are not alone... that there are people that will stand up and say what he says is mean and wrong. TNT, Charles Barkley might not care or change... but it sends a message on a larger scale and perhaps chips away at the thinking that it's OK to make fun of those affected by obesity. I'd like them to one day think twice because... at the very least they will have a bunch of people pissed and filling their inbox. 

I get that it's mean, but I doubt that most people would have heard about it without the protest ... and if that woman in San Antonio is watching that program with her kids, she'll know Barkley's an ass.  

I agree!! He gets attention so TNT wins.

I love love love Barkley. Even as someone who battles obesity, I love him. He is a definite attention ***** and a big clown. As an Auburn alum, he has done a lot of good for our university so honestly we don't get upset by things like this.

I don't think good deeds should excuse bad ones. Shaq is an alumni of Barry University where I worked and received a second degree and it bothers me that participates in the banter and that one of them stops him or say gets him back on the topic of basketball? He's not only offensive to those affected by obesity but to women. And we're just supposes to accept he's joking. No it's not funny. And it's a sports commentary show not a comedy club. 

I know many people who do not struggle with their weight but do acknowledge and accept that obesity is a not only a disease but that those living with obesity are subject to unfair judgement and bias in society. Times are changing, and it's due to people speaking up for themselves and others more and more. My weight is not a joke, getting fired from a job due to weight discrimination is not a joke, going without a medical diagnosis because a doctor just blames symptoms on weight is not a joke. Weight bias and fat shaming is not just emotionally hurtful, but is physically harmful when it perpetuates stereotypes.  

Sarah, I get it - I'm on OH because I was fat and I never forget that.  

There are many people who face discrimination for their physical attributes, be it their size, their hair colour, their teeth (I've heard every English teeth joke), their height.  All these things are always hurtful and there will always be Charles Barkley's out there with the cheap shots.   When a Presidential candidate can mock disability, it seems that most bets are off.

I agree with your stance that weight shaming is unacceptable, I'm just not convinced that highlighting the asshattery of someone who won't care will achieve what you want.  Good for you for taking a stand though.

Yes, there is a consideration made as to whether speaking up will actually get the message through, and that is why it is directed to NBA and TNT verse Barkley himself. I mean ESPN fired Shilling for inappropriate comments, and NBA took away Stirling team for inappropriate comments. Yet, year after year Barkley is allowed to mock not only a disease but women. Trust me there are often battles I don't fight because I do not see the person as open to actually listening, and yes I'm sure Barkley's mind might not be changed but I feel it's worth a try.

I'm all in favor of making one's voice heard, but I think it's important to consider some numbers when making these comparisons.

Sterling was protested by the NAACP (among others), which has 300k+ members. NBA fans are likely predominantly non-White, and the potential fan base could be over 20 million.

The OAC is 52k members.