Boris Kodjoe Misses Mark on Black Women and Obesity

Aug 25, 2011 13 Comments by Jonne Austin

Originally posted at ChasingSixPacks.com

First, let me start off by saying I think that actor Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker seem like genuinely nice people and a fine couple. With that said, I think Kodjoe’s sanctimoniousness got in the way of a great message–one that’s been done over and over again–but one that still bears revisiting. The problem is, we cannot revisit nor examine when we are missing the point. That doesn’t accomplish anything. It derails the conversation and takes it to a place where there is nothing productive going on and nothing productive to come of it. It becomes a self-aggrandizing exercise is self-righteousness and less about the people one is supposed to help.
I am currently studying for my Bachelors Degree in Social Science. I picked this degree because social science is something I’m passionate about and seeing as how I agonize over this stuff regularly, I figure I might as well get a degree for it. One of the most basic principles I learned in Sociology is that things are rarely EVER simply black and white. I mean some things are that simple, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the thought process or the path to that decision, whatever it may be, was black or white.

This is where Boris Kodjoe got it wrong when he decided to go in on “fat” black women, while ignoring Americans in general, black men, poverty, the economy, income, etc. While extolling how healthy he and his wife are–and I applaud them–he somehow forgot that they are wealthy. His targets are overwhelmingly living in low income areas, are often single and taking care of children, and don’t have fmoney for much. Here are a few more of his tweets:

“Ok, people. Just to make it clear. I love all women! I love them tall and short, big and small, dark and light, short hair and long hair. You all know [Nicole] and I are all about health. And we as a community have to be more conscious of our health. The numbers are shocking. I love ‘thickness’. And I love a woman who loves herself. And loving yourself is being healthy. Here some # from the US Dept. for minority health: 4 out of 5 African-American women are overweight or obese! Obesity related diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer (only 5 types of cancer are hereditary) are the leading cause of death. It’s not about conforming to these ridiculous ‘skinny’ beauty standards in the media, it’s about being healthy so your kids can be healthy.”

High blood pressure and Type II diabetes are only 30% from genes and 70% from environmental input, aka bad diet and no exercise[...]By popular demand, a new slogan: SEXY STACKED GODDESS No weight differentiation, BMI, or label needed. It stands for healthy and confident. “

The numbers for African-American women ARE alarming. But in basically just pointing out the obvious, he dropped the ball big time. He went for the simplest equation. He didn’t even bother to use current events to help bring the message home to the people he was trying to help. Okay, from your home that is most likely stacked with food and healthy treats it’s easy. What other words of advice do you have for these women who may be on benefits or have NEVER had anyone teach them how to prepare healthy foods?

I grew up on a traditional Panamanian diet. It was rice and peas (beans), usually fried or sauteed proteins and the like. We did have lots of fruit and salad so loving veggies did not come hard for me. However, I could never eat that diet again because its unhealthy, and I blame that diet for killing my grandmother. She died of colon cancer in 1994. When I first started to eat healthy in 2002 after having my first child and wanting to lose the baby weight, I went through TONS of diet books just trying to figure out what to do. I had no clue how to diversify my meals. I knew to fry and bake foods but I didn’t know anything about portion size, calories, fat, macronutrients, carbs, etc. Eventually I decided JUST to eat 900 calories a day. I’m 69.5″. At the time I weighed over 200 lbs. That was pretty much anorexia. I did not have a clue. It was through lots of time and lots of money that I started to get a clue. Still it wasn’t enough. By the time we’d gotten out of the military, we were leaving on a meager salary. Going to the grocery store had to be done right and it had to be managed down to the last cent. I agonized over food daily. I simply did NOT want it to run out. Some meals did not have lots of veggies. Some meals were made from Tuna Helper and Hamburger Helper (pretty damned hearty and quite comforting and I have a special place in my heart for it lol). But even at our lowest, we were making MORE money than most of the women that Kodjoe goes in on. And I get really tired of people using black women as scapegoats. He goes on to make a number of different points about how “R men” are in jail. Really? Why don’t you just tweet to them about that. What does that have to do with women, or more specifically black women? So we’ve got a healthy dose of patriarchy and sexism to go with our size discrimination. Nice!

I am not about making excuses. There is plenty of accountability to go around. Kodjoe fails to do that. He fails because he omitted important information and decided to “pile on the rabbit”. That was the easy way out. It’s easy for anyone here to make derisive, disdainful comments about fat black women. They are easy targets after all. Who has NOT made fun of them? Hell, making fun of and judging fat people is the easiest thing to do but it takes someone who TRULY cares, someone who is truly selfless to put all the pieces together and see the big picture. If he truly cared about these women, his tweets would have been far more enlightening as opposed to condescending. I would also like to add that his suggestion to use the BMI calculator is a little pedestrian considering BMI is not always accurate as it doesn’t take into consideration your body fat percentage. So a bodybuilder is going to come out obese because the calculator doesn’t know any better…

Again, I want to see Americans healthy, but I am just as concerned for black women as he supposedly is. It is a problem, but the problem is bigger than telling people what they already know. Lip service has never solved any major problems facing a society in need, Mr. Kodjoe. Think bigger. Get back to us.

P.S. The BMI calculator considers me overweight but I deadlift 155 lbs., squat 130 lbs. and generally put to shame a good chunk of the men at my gym… And I am still a work in progress. People may not know it from my little love handles, but I GO. THE. HELL. IN. at the gym… Don’t judge a book by its cover.

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Culture, Entertainment, Gender, Race

Jonne Austin

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Pingback: Boris Kodjoe Misses Mark on Black Women and Obesity
http://primaldata.blogspot.com/ PRIMALDATA

A few things while he may be rich now, has he always been rich, if not your focus on his CURRENT wealth misses the mark since Mr. Kudjoe has pretty much always been built from the first day I saw him on Soul Food(kind of ironic a guy talking about being healthy is best known for a show talking about the very food at the heart of his problem). Next his fear of “big women” could be well earned, I have a friend who is like that, he said when he was younger some larger girls ganged up on him because they thought he was cute. So who knows what HIS larger issue is, he doesn’t have to like big women just because he is now black and rich. That defeats the purpose that you are talking about if you are forcing him to think a certain way.

Obesity is an American problem not just a black problem, as for the BMI my 6’2 younger brother is considered a health risk at 215 when he’s damn near a gym rat. At 5’10 I was 245 at his age and walking everywhere I wanted to go and hitting the gym pretty damn regularly, at that weight the BMI has me at morbidly obese. If BMI does not calculate basic ingredients like body fat, health, and fitness then lets be honest:it is a useless indicator, it does more to add to depression and feelings of helplessness than it does to give someone a healthy starting point or encouragement.

I understand the words were hurtful, then again maybe it’s time to ask why Mr. Big Tall and Strong is afraid of some 300 pound women, I don’t think Boris is a stranger to throwing around 300 pounds, then again that comment misses the point too. Was it a boneheaded comment yup, does Boris Kudjoe have to parse every word that comes out of his mouth because it might offend someone NO. Going in on Boris’ comment doesn’t solve the Obesity problem either, and the fact that many rich black actors and actresses tend to stay fat, thick, or husky even after they have made the money means that your comment about his wealth and the healthy snacks in the closet don’t really match up. I agree it is the way we were all brought up and what we think of as a “healthy meal”, not how much money we make. Because even on a budget you can eat healthy if you know WHAT to eat.

Now let me reiterate my wealth and health comment:Just because you have money doesn’t mean you will eat healthy nor that you will buy healthy food. We have seen many stars Yo-Yo their weight regardless of color, some of it is cultural(you mentioned your panamanian diet, Oprah is a good old Mississippi girl), some of it is regional, While I do see some commercials for Kashi on the TV I see way more for Trix, McD’s, Burger King, Fruit Rollups, 3 Musketeers, etc. Boris said something dumb, I agree but making him the focus of an argument that would be better served with us talking about HOW to improve our diets is just as tone deaf as he was. We need to cook and spice our meals better, we need to use less process “starters”, leaner meat, and larger chunks of veggies. We need to taste our food before we salt it, add Steak Sauce, etc(I’m guilty of that myself), we need to consciously think about what we want to eat before our stomachs start growling and it becomes about grabbing the first thing smoking.
- http://rippdemup.com Chasingsixpacks
  
  I disagree that the focus, nay, mention of his current wealth is irrelevant because it has everything to do with his comments. He mentioned that he and his wife are health freaks and eating healthy is what they do, it’s important to them, etc. He mentions a comment like that and he, his status, and all that comes with it will be examined. A quick google search indicates that his parents were a psychologist and a physician. He grew up in a lovely town in Germany and went to the Virginia Commonwealth University on a scholarship. He was an athlete, etc. How many children from poor backgrounds have that going on? Not many. He’s speaking as someone who has most likely never been in the position the women he derides are in currently. So there goes that…
  
  If he has a fear of big women because of some silly childhood situation–I mean how many boys learn to disdain women because a few girls in grade school tried to steal a kiss–that’s his problem and has even less bearing on what he is talking about. I don’t care if the guy is attracted to them. He doesn’t have to be. He has a wife. He should be attracted to her and her only. However, he is absolutely being classist. FACT: Black people are more likely to live or have lived in poverty in this country. FACT: Most of those affected the worst are black women. If he wants to help, he can provide solutions. YES, black women tend to be more obese than white women. But to look at that and conveniently forget to mention the reasons why it’s bad and the reasons WHY it will get worse given the economy is him being irresponsible. He’s preaching to the choir. And I thought it was quite convenient how he forgot to mention black men and their lack of healthy habits as well. Of course black women get parsed with a whole heap of problems because God forbid they worry about themselves. Black women’s weight has jack shit to do with black men in jail.
  
  The reality is people who tend to live in an ivory tower tend to talk out of their asses when it comes to those who are less fortunate. He was one of those people.
  - http://primaldata.blogspot.com/ PRIMALDATA
    
    So you still want to ignore the fact that there are fat wealthy people? I mean do we really have to go there? So you are saying every black woman who is poor is fat? I was trying to be nice about saying that trying to use wealth as a reason why he was skinny/built and not fat wasn’t a good idea but I guess I will have to go there.
    
    It has nothing to do with money because there are poor skinny women just like there are fat rich women, it has to do with WHAT you eat not how much you have to buy it. Now yes healthier food is more expensive not denying that, but just like when mom was broke and had to stretch those few dollars to get us a good meal and maybe a few treats she wasn’t originally shopping for the lean meat, she just got the cheapest, she wasn’t originally getting the low salt foods again just whatever was on sale.
    
    I am not denying that what he said was insensitive, I am saying that honestly one guys joking comment (especially in light of the fact that you admit that fat jokes come far and wide from all sides, including fat people) does not make him the face of the problem, he’s just another member of the crowd. Now as far as his comment about women not men ummm I think it’s because he’s straight thus his comment “I love all women”, men weren’t brought up because in this instance they aren’t his preference as far as partners are concerned.
    
    And as far as black women being more obese than white women, plenty of fat white, black, hispanic, etc women down here in the south. And yes there are plenty of fat men, and I say the same thing about race and weight as I did in the previous sentence. A piece on dealing with obesity is awesome, I can relate to it as well as give instances of personal as well as friend and family battles with weight loss and gain. The thing is Boris is an after thought to me, yes he made a fat joke it was childish, you would hope he would be more sensitive, but then again from his body type it looks like he wanted to stay as far away from being the subject of a fat joke as possible. He sparked an idea for a great conversation on what we eat, how much and how we prepare it, focus on him is less focus on the problem.
    
    His insensitive comment put the bug in your bonnet to write this good, now instead of setting up a war on gender lines about who’s feet smell the worst, let’s figure out how to help each other fight against those treats we love so much. Replacing so much salt and sugar in a meal by adding spices or ingredients that add more flavor and help fill you up. And hell to be honest even being Boris’ body type isn’t a guarantee of good health athletes rack up a lot of injuries too, simply due to the stress you put on your body to maintain such a shape. And they can also have lousy diets so even being “in shape” doesn’t exactly mean you are healthy because you can also be eating crappy food. The problem is the food, the comments didn’t start with Boris and won’t end with him.
- Nope
  
  Kodjoe does not come from the African-American low socio-economic background, so he should keep his mouth shut. He has no idea what things are like for some people. Him coming from two aristocratic, highly educated parents, did not grow up in poverty. He grew up privileged in Europe, or wherever else… I don’t buy all of his “We/Us black people talk….” now more than ever considering his fuck up last year, and now this b.s. Just examine both instances/approaches, closely.
  - http://primaldata.blogspot.com/ PRIMALDATA
    
    So the enemy isn’t obesity its Boris Kodjoe? I will say it again I could care less about Boris, at the moment he has opened up a point of dialogue that many of us can converge on. I really don’t care if you never support another Boris Kodjoe project, but enough with the pulling out daggers only to go after someone who tripped over a larger issue because in essence “Everybody does it”.
    
    He’s human he can say whatever he likes and you are fully allowed to disagree with him, and as previously stated socio-economic background means bubkiss to weight, body size and health. I mean unless you are about to bash every Male and Female who has made a fat joke, tongue in cheek comment about fat people or who has showed size insensitivity I guess the question is what is this really about? Is this a new: “famous black dude opened his mouth and I want war against all” theme if so doesn’t that get tiring?
    
    Being rich and famous doesn’t automatically cause you to be in possession of some extra amount of understanding, tact, or compassion. As for your “Don’t know what things are like for some people” comment that’s a charge that could be leveled at anyone. Even someone who knows poverty doesn’t know every level of poverty, they don’t know every instance of destitution just their’s.
    
    He made a bad joke, he isn’t a comedian, I’ve heard similar juvenile jokes from other people(including some who are comedians), personally I believe you shake your head at him but you use him as a moment to actually discuss the issue at the heart of the problem not him. He’s one guy, with a famous face, whoop de doo
http://rippdemup.com/ RiPPa

Listen: don’t ever let me catch Boris Kodjoe’s mama hooked up to an IV up in Krispy Kreme gettin’ her eat… oops, I mean her drip on. The hell is up with that dude? Oh, and he has a daughter? What if she develops weight issues?
Anonymous

His wife had a quite noticeable weight issue for a long time after her pregnancy or possibly at some other time. I can’t remember. I seem to remember her being fat as can be at one point. Anyway he stuck around so it’s not as if that’s the only thing that’s important to him.

The more serious issue raised is that Americans in general, blacks more so and black women most of all are too fat. This is really problematic and it’s time for people to stop pussyfooting around it because some people’s feelings might get hurt. When someone is carrying so much weight that they might as well be carrying another human being there are some things they need to do differently.

Those things start with eating less and exercising more. You do enough of these two simple things together your body will lose weight. It has no choice but to do so.

Now there are plenty of underlying reasons why someone might be overweight (slow metabolism, genetic issues, sexual abuse, depression, stress from racism/low pay/lack of feelings of control, etc) but until the person admits to themselves that they decide what to put in their mouth and how to move during the day, I don’t think much will change.

Sure there are limitations to BMI. But I don’t think most people who fall into the “obese” category of BMI are power lifters, kettlebell enthusiasts, Spetsnaz, body builders, professional athletes, Navy SEALS or the other minority of folks for whom BMI does truly not give good estimates of health. Most of the people in that “obese” category are there because they are too damn fat. Focusing on BMI and ignoring what the mirror shows or the body %fat calculator says is silly. I know why people do it. But it’s still ducking the issue.

There are so many things which are linked to obesity that impact people negatively, including but not limited to infant mortality, diabetes, vision issues, hypertension, cancers, cardiac issues, strokes and so one. If you’re obese or overweight you owe it to your loved ones but most of all to yourself to drop a few pounds. Life is already too short.
- The Little Guy
  
  Good point, their daughter was born with spina-bifida which is caused by the lack of folic acid in the mother’s diet while pregnant (and even before pregnancy). They both claim the condition is genetic on her side, but hmph…obviously, skinny, in shape people give birth to sick babies, and have diabetes, as well.
  
  For me, he’s the epitome of who black identity (supposed black people) has become the absolute veneer of prejudicial whiteness.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KJVSWI5XYXJ5OQEDCGV3WG2KNU Miss Know it All

Has anybody forgotten that Boris is NOT from the United States? Europe doesn’t have obesity problems like we do. Granted, he’s been here for some years now, but that doesn’t change his original upbringing.

Just something to keep in mind.
- The Little Guy
  
  Certain countries in Europe to have obesity problems, like England and Spain. But in Germany, the quality of life is better for people. For one, their government pays for all of their education, from kindergarten to graduate school. Yeah, and he should consider his original upbringing when making such statements. He’s black American passin’ IMO.
Fraud

It’s clear that he scapegoated black women, yes. And his message was filled with sexism and patriarchy. But it is very interesting that people like Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner back him 100% in doing this. I guess, I am not surprised in Harvey’s case, but…it’s the same type of situation regarding female sexual exploitation on BET and Radio One and their black owners (before they sold out) as well as their black executive remaining mum on the issue.

Kodjoe wants Black women to be accountable, but the black elite should be accountable as well. Quite faking the funk.
Hmph

And I am one to think that Kodjoe doesn’t really care about blacks. He came to this country and was able to capitalize off black American identity. Why, because he’s fine and brown skinned. But he’s European raised and half white. He doesn’t really ID with blacks, he let us know this last year when he switched up his promo strategy for his last failed tv series from touting him and his biracial co-stars as black, to touting themselves as the first bi-racial, lead co-stars in whatever…Then, when they found out their viewership was low, he went back to promoting himself and his co-star as African-American/black co-leads, even though neither were born in the U.S. and neither are of African-American descent (but of African descent). Then he was talking about “We black people need to support Black lead shows” – yadda yadda yadda. If that ain’t some phony shit, I don’t know what is. He’s loyal to is biracial identity, not black identity. He’s loyal to his money, not black people (like this isn’t anything new among blacks, but…) People need to get over his looks, IMO, especially since he’s not the best actor out there.

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Boris Kodjoe Misses Mark on Black Women and Obesity

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