The Fat Thickens

I know many a person who has been told by their doctor that they need to shed some pounds. I know some people whose doctors need to tell them they need to shed a few pounds. So, I didn't have an issue with the doctor who was under fire for telling an obese patient that she'd be far more healthy if she lost weight. But, now it seems that "fat" wasn't the issue. It was her F'ability factor and "a black thing!"

The state is investigating a doctor accused of telling a patient she was so obese she might only be attractive to black men and advising another to shoot herself following brain surgery.

'Let's face it, if your husband were to die tomorrow, who would want you?' the state Board of Medicine says Dr. Terry Bennett told the overweight patient in June 2004.

'Well, men might want you, but not the types you want to want you. Might even be a black guy,' it quoted him as saying, based on the woman's complaint.

The board said it also is taking a second look at a 2001 allegation - deemed unfounded at the time - that Bennett told a woman recovering from brain surgery to buy a pistol and shoot herself to end her suffering.

Bennett made national news last week when the complaint from the obese woman became public without any mention of the racial comment. But Senior Assistant Attorney General Richard Head, who leads the state Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, said Tuesday the woman complained about the racial remark, not about being lectured.

Now I am not sure if I am supposed to laugh or not. It's not like some sistahs haven't made constant reference to brothas taking up with "some fat, nasty, white woman." It's not like average black men (save the OJ, Wesley Snipes types) don't seem to prefer a little "meat on the bones." (Gees, was Kirstie Ally's remark about finding a black guy because she was overweight heard around the world)? I think I'd be more offended by "who else is gonna want you?" - period.

In any case, this sheds a little more light on the situation. The man's bedside manner has a lot to be desired. Some of his patients may need to lose some weight. He may need to opt for retirement.