Wash Post Column of 7/20/00 -- Big Beautiful Women

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Date Posted: 14:03:14 07/25/00 Tue
Author: Joan
Subject: Wash Post Column of 7/20/00

Hi Everyone:

Washington Post Columnist Bob Levey published a column last week concerning "metro" court. In the article, he had a mock court of things considered inappropriate in the WashDC metrorail system. One of the scenarios was a fat person sitting in a seat, with a skinny person sitting down and not having ample room. He feels the fat person should vacate the seat for the skinny person.

The link for the article is below

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18622-2000Jul20.html

Please find below the text of my letter to Mr. Levey

Dear Mr. Levey:

I am writing to you to voice my feelings regarding your 7/21/00 column about Metro "Court".

I am a 5'10" 350 lb woman residing in the Washington DC Metro area. I ride the metrorail daily.

I found your column to be very very offensive. As I said, I am a daily passenger of the system. I am a large person and I also consider myself thoughtful and courteous of my fellow passengers. There are times when I stand on my metro trips in order not to crowd other passengers - out of respect for them. HOWEVER, when there is a seat available that is unoccupied I have no hesitation in sitting down, knowing that I will not crowd another person in their seat. Rarely however, am I shown equal respect. I have had people SQUEEZE into the seat knowing full well they could not fit comfortably. If self-esteem were an issue with me - I would be crushed - since it isn't, I feel pity that these people cannot be courteous.

Mr. Levey, you may believe me to be too sensitive, that is your right. But Please remember that for every letter like mine you receive, there are 10 more just as offended who do not write.

You owe me and the other larger people who ride the Metro system a written, public apology in your column.

Joan Swann
5465 N Morgan St #408
Alexandria, VA 22312

Mr. Levey wrote back....

In a message dated 07/25/2000 2:36:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, leveyb@washpost.com writes:

<<
i would never condemn a large person for being large. what i was trying to
say was that the woman who was taking up 1.3 seats should have gotten up
out of common courtesy. sure, she paid her money. sure, she has rights,
too. but so does the other person.

>>

My reply back:

But you miss the point Mr. Levey - the larger woman was in the seat first - if the smaller woman was in the seat first - she would deserve the same courtesy.

Your remarks deserve an apology - a public apology.

Please, if you feel strongly, contact Mr Levey at leveyb@washpost com and voice your opinion.

Joan Swann

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Replies:

Re: Wash Post Column of 7/20/00 -- Steph, 18:52:31 07/31/00 Mon