Don't get me wrong. University days were some of the best of my life. Carleton U. also had some outstanding features.
- There were no fraternity or sorority houses at Carleton practicing their snobbish, elite brand of exclusivity unlike many other institutes of higher learning.
- I lived at home so maybe I missed it but I never had to endure any 'frosh week" hazing rituals.
- I don't remember the campus ever being over run with far right or far left political wingnuts. The few that were around were on the fringes and were not taken seriously.
- There was no religious dissension. Religion was just an arts option.
- The campus buildings at Carleton are all joined by tunnels which offer refuge from winter weather when classroom commuting. The tunnel walls were full of colorful and often artistic graffiti. However, some of it was sexist, racist or homophobic.
- In my first ever university lecture the sociology professor told a crude story about the habits of a studied colony of rhesus monkeys. I thought it was hilarious. The majority of the women in the lecture were less easily amused and walked out en massse.
- The Carleton pub had its share of male trolls on rock band weekend, looking to prey on drunken co-eds. (I know what you're thinking. No - I was not one of those trolls!)
This new normal seems to have finally arrived in the campus fitness realm. Carleton U. has a brand new state of the art fitness center. The fitness center administrators have decided that weight scales have no place in this new world order. The rationale is that there are far better methods for determining fitness, health and physical transformation.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist girth and other anatomical measurements are considered superior indicators of health and bodily improvement.
- Shows such as "the Biggest Loser" have left a bad impression of overbearing trainers bullying obese people and judging them by the results of the weight scale, often to the very detriment of the health of the contestants.
- Since muscle is denser than fat, people may be mislead by weight measurement and become discouraged.
Are weight scales perceived as implements of 'Fat Shaming' by the feared powers behind political correctness?
Has my Alma Mater given in to such powers and taken away someone's freedom to use a weight scale as quick non intrusive guide to progression?
Is it to be assumed that fitness center patrons have such low self esteem that they must be protected from such possible ridicule?
Maybe I'm just a dinosaur reacting to the changing ways of the world? I am still proud of many things about Carleton University. The men's basketball team is a perennial national championship winner and the women basketballers scored a bronze medal this year. Hockey and football are back and other sports are always in the competitive mix. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I graduated many years ago. If I went there now I just might get kicked out.
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| The weight scale - a cruel symbol of Fat Shaming? |
Keep Fit!
Little Bobby Strong
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