Would this bother you?

[Briarmom]

Yes you are over-reacting. Your prof was just telling the truth.

 

[Jennasis]

But he WAS revolting.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I think opening a discussion on the merits of the word usage is not overreacting and simply that, having a discussion on view points.

I think to tack the adjective revolting to anyone's appearace is questionable. In this case, it revealed the professor's point of view, more than it did historical data.

So, you are left then to wonder if the professor does indeed have a revulsion on some level for people who are extremely overweight, or if he was allowing his additional knowledge of the behaviors of Henry to color his opinion overall.

Regardless, it stands as a good example for a student. The professor is human.

Nice topic, but then, I like discussing word usage!

 

[mmackeymouse]

I'm sure obesity like Henry's was quite uncommon and maybe it was considered especially abhorrent back then whereas we're (a tiny bit) more tolerant today.

I don't know what world YOU are living in, because overweight people, no matter how active they may be, are looked down on like the plague.

1st graders say they would rather lose an arm than be fat.

While obesity may be at an all time high (and it is a sad disease, it really is) I would not say people are more tolerant of it. It is still harder for bigger people to get hired for a job. And, I don't even go there with my Match.com profile. The only "negative" to my profile is that I am not a size 6......but apparantly that is enough for no guys to contact me or return my contact attempts.


As far as overreacting, it might rub me the wrong way. I think the context in which he used the phrase is important. If he was using it to indicate that Henry was morbidly obese, he probably should have just said "morbidly obese." But, it may have just been a harmless statement. Now, if his tone indicated that he finds obesity gross and disgusting and that he looks down upon obese people, yeah, probably a bit insensitive.

I think, really, it is probably okay. Now, if there were morbidly obese people in the class, not overweight, but significantly obese, as in Henry VIII proportions, it probably did make them feel really, really bad. And it was probably not a nice thing to say, especially if there are obese people in the class.

I probably would not have been offended, unless he made it seem like he dislikes bigger people, and then I would worry about how he sees me as a person.

 

[Disney Doll]

I could see how an obese person could take offense to that. And you're nice to be offended for them even though you do not describe yourself as overweight.

Rest assured, my experience as a middle-aged woman who is heavier than I should be and not as heavy as some other folks, the only prejudice that is still acceptable in society today is prejudice against fat people. Read personal ads...all these "male seeking female" ads always want a "petite" or "shapely" lady...personal ad "speak" for "not fat". Presumably all the men seeking these perfect women are Greek gods themselves, but I highly doubt it.

 

[luvmy3]

Eh, it's just a word. I don't get so bent out of shape over simple words. I wouldn't have noticed. There are people in the world that are revoltingly overweight, perhaps Henry was one of them, perhaps not. I don't like the word police, they are as bad as the PC-police.

MTE. There are people out there who are revoltingly overweight, just as there are those who are revoltingly underweight, those are just the facts.

 

[C.Ann]

I think some professors tend to put their own "spin" on things - intentionally or not.. Think about religion; politics; etc.. How many professors actually try to keep their own personal view points out of these lectures?

Not the best choice of words, but I don't think I would get upset about it..

 

[Crankyshank]

I really think you are overreacting. You have to think beyond the 21st century mindset of personal hygiene and obesity and think about the 16th century.

Henry VIII in his last years was revolting. He wasn't just some average overweight guy. He was supremely obese. Not only was he morbidly obese, but he had a festering open wound that stank.

 

[TheZue]

I really think you are overreacting. You have to think beyond the 21st century mindset of personal hygiene and obesity and think about the 16th century.

Henry VIII in his last years was revolting. He wasn't just some average overweight guy. He was supremely obese. Not only was he morbidly obese, but he had a festering open wound that stank.

Exactly. It went beyond being fat...and it wasn't necessarily his fault. He did have an accident that made it hard for him to move, and probably had type 2 diabetes in a time that they couldn't treat it well which led to the open wounds on his legs. But either way his peers were revolted by him, which does make him revolting.

Sometimes history is offensive. I'd rather have a prof that tells the truth instead of sanitizing it for fear of offending somebody who relates to the subject on an emotional level.

 

[legalsea]

Exactly. It went beyond being fat...and it wasn't necessarily his fault. He did have an accident that made it hard for him to move, and probably had type 2 diabetes in a time that they couldn't treat it well which led to the open wounds on his legs. But either way his peers were revolted by him, which does make him revolting.

Sometimes history is offensive. I'd rather have a prof that tells the truth instead of sanitizing it for fear of offending somebody who relates to the subject on an emotional level.

Exactly. Henry VIII was, in his younger days, considered exceedingly handsome and well-built. He was a rock star. However, at a tournament he was jousting and struck in the head, falling off his horse and hitting his head again. His personality began to slowly change after that, along with steady weight gain.

If you are even in England go to the museum (it used to be at the Tower of London but I think was moved) that has his suits of armor. It is rather interesting to see how the suits got progressively larger until he was simply too fat to sit on a horse.

I did not find the use of the word 'revolting' to be, er, revolting. I agree with those who say that he professor was trying to fix an image in your mind: as his weight increased, and his personality changed, Henry became exceeding autocratic and blood-thirsty.

 

[autumnpalm]

Sometimes history is offensive. I'd rather have a prof that tells the truth instead of sanitizing it for fear of offending somebody who relates to the subject on an emotional level.

That's a good way of looking at it, thank you.

Thanks to everyone for the different opinions and insight. Maybe I should start wearing my "PC Police" badge now, huh?

Even though it wasn't as issue that upset me hugely, it is interesting to see the different opinions. The way the professor was speaking, his tone seemed condescending to me but of course I could have misinterpreted! I did enjoy the rest of the lecture, though. Henry's life sure wasn't boring!

 

[Took]

It wouldn't have bothered me but I don't think you're weird or a quack or anything for being bothered by it . Sometimes things can just rub you the wrong way.

He may have chosen the word "revolting" because that's pretty much how at least one (Catherine Howard) of his wives felt about him. He was obese in large part because of the sore on his leg that never managed to heal and according to accounts it stuck really bad and he had horrible boils . Perhaps the term "revolting" came to the professor's mind because he was thinking about his entire appearance even though he was just referencing his weight.

In general though I try to not over think what people say considering most people barely think about what they're going to say before they open their mouth

I agree that many others of his day found Henry VIII's "body problems" revolting and that is almost certainly why the prof used the word, not that he thinks all overweight people are revolting. I wouldn't be too bothered by it, if I noticed it at all. However, some profs do come across as arrogant ninnies who are probably "revolted" by those with weight or other issues and this guy may have been that type of person. I still would let it go. You can always mention it on the course evals.

 

[Boxley]

You are overreacting. During the later years, Henry VIII was pretty gross, I don't mean weight wise, but he had that festering leg injury that never healed, in those days hygiene was not that great and let's not mention his behavior. He would of been revolting even if he was thin, who wants a smelly guy with a leg that smelled like I don't know what and has a thing for offing the missus?


Besides, I don't think Henry VIII is going to be very offended...he's been dead for quite a while.

 

[RadioNate]

If you are even in England go to the museum (it used to be at the Tower of London but I think was moved) that has his suits of armor. It is rather interesting to see how the suits got progressively larger until he was simply too fat to sit on a horse.

I did not find the use of the word 'revolting' to be, er, revolting. I agree with those who say that he professor was trying to fix an image in your mind: as his weight increased, and his personality changed, Henry became exceeding autocratic and blood-thirsty.

It is still at the Tower of London.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerofLondon/stories/palacehighlights/HenryVIIIDressedtoKill.aspx

My dad just went to it. It was his favorite exhibit in London.

 

[OceanAnnie]

It wouldn't have bothered me.

But there have been times in class, where a professor drones on and on and something is said where I have been bothered. I'm sure no one else was effected, although I didn't ask. I attribute it to the captive audience syndrome. Drone, drone, drone, zing(!) something gets your attention and for better or worse helps you make it through the class.

 

[suzannen]

I really think you are overreacting. You have to think beyond the 21st century mindset of personal hygiene and obesity and think about the 16th century.

Henry VIII in his last years was revolting. He wasn't just some average overweight guy. He was supremely obese. Not only was he morbidly obese, but he had a festering open wound that stank.

Exactly. It went beyond being fat...and it wasn't necessarily his fault. He did have an accident that made it hard for him to move, and probably had type 2 diabetes in a time that they couldn't treat it well which led to the open wounds on his legs. But either way his peers were revolted by him, which does make him revolting.

Sometimes history is offensive. I'd rather have a prof that tells the truth instead of sanitizing it for fear of offending somebody who relates to the subject on an emotional level.

Crankyshank and TheZue are right, your professor was not giving a personal opinion, he was simply telling you correct history. Henry VIII was not simply an overweight man. After his leg injury, it's been estimated that his weight topped over 300 pounds which, in those days, would have made him seem like a giant. Due to circulatory problems, he was also extremely bloated from fluid retention and he had that large, oozing leg wound. It was said it took four strong men to carry him in his chair and that his lead-lined coffin was so heavy, it broke the supports when it was displayed in a church. After being one of the most athletic and handsome young kings, this change in appearance made him seem almost grotesque to those around him. Read up on his history, they spend a lot of time describing him at both his best and his worst.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Rest assured, my experience as a middle-aged woman who is heavier than I should be and not as heavy as some other folks, the only prejudice that is still acceptable in society today is prejudice against fat people. Read personal ads...all these "male seeking female" ads always want a "petite" or "shapely" lady...personal ad "speak" for "not fat". Presumably all the men seeking these perfect women are Greek gods themselves, but I highly doubt it.

I don't think that is true. It seems quite common, especially for people seeking relationships, to see prejudice against bald men, short people, hairy women, or people with peircings or tattoos (or those without them). I'm sure there are lots of other things that invoke prejudice without much recrimination.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Eh, it's just a word. I don't get so bent out of shape over simple words. I wouldn't have noticed. There are people in the world that are revoltingly overweight, perhaps Henry was one of them, perhaps not. I don't like the word police, they are as bad as the PC-police.

 

[chisnpeke]

No it would not. Henry VIII was a disgusting man who had two of his wives beheaded. He has been dead for centuries. It's not like he was a saint.

No one should be called revolting in regards to their weight but he probably was.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

think about Henry
think about Henry naked
did you shudder?
then he is revolting, gross or whatever name you want to put on him

Would it be better if the professor called him "pooh sized"?