Close Ad

Bully Ruthlessly Fat Shames Fast Food Worker Online - One Stranger Steps In With Best Response
Fast Food Worker Gets Fat Shamed, Stranger Steps In With Best Response
Uplifting News

Bully Ruthlessly Fat Shames Fast Food Worker Online - One Stranger Steps In With Best Response

After a photo fat shaming a fast food worker was circulated online, one woman decided to put her foot down and stand up for herself.

It's happened to us all: A friend tagging you in a bad picture, usually due to lighting, liquor, or both. It's easily fixed, no harm, no foul.

Now imagine that scenario, except the friend is a stranger, and this time your picture is posted all over Facebook and subject to cruel shaming.


This would be 20-year-old Jessica Pruitt's nightmare.

Photo-bombed

After her shift at Raising Cane's fast food joint, she made a shocking discovery. All over social media was a picture of the plus-sized Pruitt working at the drive-thru, her stomach resting on top of the counter.

The woman who shared the original post referred to Pruitt as "nasty and disgracing" and said, "I talk about fat, nasty, disgusting people." Her toxic rant went on.

"Fat, nasty people get under my skin. This is when fat becomes embarrassing, nasty, and disgracing to the big gurl world. And she only has stomach where is the rest of her."

Other people then started making several fat-shaming comments under her post.

Pruitt told WLOX she was crushed.

I was upset. I was heartbroken. I know I'm a big girl, but I think I'm decent looking.

- Jessica Pruitt

A stranger came to her defense

Seeing the cruel post, Laurie Carter, another stranger in nearby Saucer, was furious and inspired to act.

That could have been me standing there that day at that counter. I have a pudge in my stomach. But it was her this time. I wanted her to know she doesn’t have to go through this alone.

- Laurie Carter

With Pruitt’s approval, Carter decided to hold a rally in support of Pruitt and to raise awareness about bullying. Pruitt will also be the guest of honor at a 'Stand Against Bullies' event.

Carter confided that hitting back at bullying was a personal matter. "I've dealt with being bullied my whole life and whenever I saw that I was angry, hurt, and upset."

Speaking with the Clarion-Ledger, Pruitt said she appreciates all the love, including from her manager and company, adding that her weight isn't by choice.

"Being overweight runs in my family," she said. "I've tried to lose weight but I was recently diagnosed with a disorder that makes it hard to do that."

Stand up against bullies

Carter says she and Pruitt have since struck up a special bond together.

"I decided to turn that anger, hurt, and upset into something positive and to try to reach out to Jessica and to let her know that she wasn't alone in this, and that I would be there for her every step of the way," she said.

Carter said that whenever she feels low, she remembers her grandmother's words, ones that we can all live by.

She always told me how beautiful I am, that weight is only a number. That's not who I am. That I'm a beautiful person inside and out, and to have confidence in myself because I'm a beautiful girl.

- Laurie Carter

Instead of focusing on the cruel fat-shaming woman, there's so much more to this story. It's about the power of unity and camaraderie over cruelty. It's about banding together instead of giving into one cowardly act. Thanks to one woman, Jessica Pruitt knows she's not alone.

More uplifting news

Stand up for the right thing
You can make a lasting impact on someone's life.

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Dr Dre points up at text that says 25 rapper quotes to motivate you
Goalcast

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musicians
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News