Help on my essay.

Shame on Us

Hannah Lobel, in his article, “The Utne Reader” is trying to convince his readers that they should be ashamed of themselves. The audience that he is trying to convince is general and wants to convince them by showing evidence that support his views. It is true that the evidence alone will not have the strength to change one’s opinion. However, some people might be affected by the reason that will be presented. It is also up to the reader’s appearance and current situation that will determine if the argument is convincing or not. The main argument is that society judge people too quickly and therefore, they have created a path of narrow minded believes. In addition, obesity is not been taken seriously, as a result, it has made things worse. This argument in “Shame on Us” is persuasive because there are different views that may arise. But Hannah Lobel defenses his opinion by presenting evidence from experts and authority, statistics, and examples which all support his views.

The first evidence is not convincing because the expert clearly shows that they themselves are putting people down. As Julie Guthman writes, “At best, fat people are seen as victims of food, genetic code, or metabolism; at worst they are slovenly, stupid, or without resolve"(Lobel 57). [L1] The problem with this statement is that for one she is being a bit too harsh about the situation. As a matter of fact, why should she even mention something like that? She should first know what is going on in one’s mind before she comments. Hannah Lobel emphasizes that many of us feels that obesity is something people “choose” to do or something we inherit at birth as “sin” (55). [L2] Therefore, all these negative believe start to add up in people’s minds becomes misleading information about fat people. In addition, The New England Journal claims, “Obesity can spread among social networks as people (primary males) relax their norms about what constitutes an acceptable weight” (Lobel 55). [L3] Personally, there is no way that I would be influenced by my “social networks”. Over all, the truth is that all these misleading and exaggerate statements are having a negative impact in fat people lives.

In addition to experts and authority, the evidence that is convincing is the statistic. Hannah Lobel confirms, “An estimated eight million American-a million of them men-already wrestle with eating disorder like bulimia and anorexia nervosa, the country’s deadliest mental illness” (56).[L4] This is a clear fact that shows that people are starting to dislike their bodies. On top of this, Hannah Lobel also mentions that we are to be blame for having “people” searching for cycle diets that do not work. Instead it causes other “health” issues in the longer run (57). [L5] All these facts point out that the community is to be blamed. Things are getting worse and yet nothing is been done.

Even more important than the statistic shown, the strongest part of the evidence is in the examples. It demonstrates that obesity is not taken seriously which as a matter of fact, there are many serious issues that are linked. Hannah Lobel criticizes, “The ads even had a sense of humor: Two kids poke at the belly shed by someone walking on the beach; a man coaxed his dog away from a butt lost by someone playing with the kids in the park” (56). [L6] Why is it that people proclaim obesity as a joke? Is it because of our own demise has led us to accept this? Hannah Lobel reviles that ads do not portray the negative effects cause by obesity, just as “anti-smoking ads” and “antidrug” ads do (56). [L7] If these ads are shown the same way obesity is, they will never be taken seriously. The AP demonstrates,” none have offered a surgeon’s view of fat, or dramatized a death from type two diabetes, or shown a person complaining about how a fat neighbor’s medical bills are costing taxpayers”(57, Lobel).[L8] Needless to say, none of these facts are being shown. Consequently, Hannah Lobel explains that we tend to analyze fat people too quickly about their distinction on what is right and wrong which is creating a path for narrow mindedness (57)[L9] .

Hannah Lobel has influenced her readers by proving clear evidence from experts and authorities, statistics, and examples. It will affect the intended audience by making them realize that we are making things worst by judging fat people. Hopefully this will stop people from judging too quickly. It will make the reader question themselves, “Why should I judge someone by their appearance when I do not even understand what is causing obesity?” Hannah Lobel concludes, “And until we are able to view our bodies as never-ending renovation projects, we won’t be able to make sense of our weights, no matter what the science tells us” (57)[L10] .

























Cuello 4

Work Cited

Lobel Hannah. “Shame on Us.” America Now. 8^th ed. Ed. Robert Atwan. Baston: Bedford-St. Martin’s,2009. 54-57. Print.

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[L1]Direct Quote



[L2]Phrase: We continue to treat obesity as if it’s either an original sin we’re born with and must repent or a cardinal sin we chose to commit.



[L3]Direct Quote



[L4]Direct Quote



[L5]Phrase: We are sending people into prison of self-loathing that have them seeking refuge in yo-yo diets that feeds a multibillion-dollar weight-loss industry but do nothing to keep the pounds off and, in fact, often contribute to health problems later.



[L6]Direct Quote



[L7]Phrase: The associated press parroted backlash’s knowing that anti-smoking ads showed tumors-ridden corpses and antidrug public service announcements portrayed users wallowing in loserdom at their parents’ house, the fat ads offered no horror or villains.



[L8] Direct Quote



[L9]Phrase: Righteous myopia has a pathology of its own; it seems that for our unyielding in self-determination and our quickness to judge others’ moral shortcomings.



[L10]Direct Quote