Poll: Walmart “Fat Girls” Halloween section on website stirs uproar

Ask anyone who’s dealt with weight issues, and they’ll tell you that to be called “fat” cuts close to the bone.
Especially in a society that glorifies thin women – those who’ve had a weight issue don’t need to be demeaned.

Especially by a giant retailer, who’s Halloween costume collection on their website features a section for “fat girls.”
It turns out someone obviously thought it was a joke to label the section “fat girls costumes” – but it was no joke to the thousands who responded on Twitter.

So naturally, the marketing experts at Walmart began responding to the tweets – issuing an apology saying:

“This never should have been on our site. It is unacceptable, and we apologize,” a spokesperson for the company said. “We are working to remove it as soon as possible and ensure this never happens again.”

According to the story, it was a Twitter user that first brought the “fat girls” section to the attention of the costume-buying public.

And if what they wanted was more “hits” to their website, they sure got them.
But at what price?

Halloween is a time that celebrates the imagination and lengths some will go to try and be outlandish. Like the guy wearing the #27 Ray Rice jersey with the blowup doll dragging behind him.

If you find a well-publicized incident of domestic abuse “funny,” then that outfit will be your cup of tea. Ask any woman who's been involved in such a relationship, and she'll tell you that despite the spirit of "outlandishness" the season celebrates; there's nothing funny about a reenactment of a well-publicized domestic violence case.

However, where the line is blurry is when you make references to someone being "fat." I'd say most women feel that references to women being referred to as "fat" are humiliating and demeaning. Others use it in a self-depricating manner.

Like my daughter.

She makes no bones about the fact that she's had trouble losing baby weight. It's been an ongoing issue and she's documented it as such. So she, in her inimitable self-depricating way, started a blog called "fatbottomedmama" - commenting on not just losing weight, but all that there is to being a stay-at-home mom with two kids, etc.

She embraces it and uses it to her advantage. Problem is not everyone knows how to laugh at themselves.

Hence I don't think Walmart will be advertising "fatbottomedmama" merchandise anytime soon!