(Picture: Lizzie Velasquez)

Another day, another set of dank, problematic memes.

TikTok bans weight loss and fasting adverts over eating disorder fears

The latest meme ‘trend’ asks you to tag a friend on an image.

This image is usually of someone who doesn’t necessarily fit with society’s view of ‘beauty’.

Yep, it’s another mean meme.


FYI:

https://www.facebook.com/610850755683842/photos/a.703351243100459.1073741829.610850755683842/933427230092858/?type=3&theater

While many may see it as harmless ‘fun’, what they are actually doing is relentlessly mocking a person on the way they look.

It’s bullying and it’s disgusting.

One person who has fallen victim to this meme trend is Lizzie Velasquez, a motivational speaker and author who was born with a rare congenital disease that prevents her from accumulating body fat.



She has also been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue and causes problems with the way the body grows and develops, as well as heart and lung issues.

27-year-old Lizzie recently came across the meme of herself, printed with the words: ‘Michael said he would meet me behind this tree for a bit of fun.

‘He’s running late, would someone please tag him and tell him I’m still waiting?’

This understandably hurt Lizzie, so she decided to share the meme herself to her 100,000 followers.

I've seen a ton of memes like this all over Facebook recently. I'm writing this post not as someone who is a victim but… Geplaatst door Lizzie Velasquez op Zondag 11 december 2016

She wrote: ‘I’ve seen a ton of memes like this all over Facebook recently. I’m writing this post not as someone who is a victim but as someone who is using their voice.

‘Yes, it’s very late at night as I type this but I do so as a reminder that the innocent people that are being put in these memes are probably up just as late scrolling through Facebook and feeling something that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

‘No matter what we look like or what size we are, at the end of the day we are all human. I ask that you keep that in mind the next time you see a viral meme of a random stranger.

‘At the time you might find it hilarious but the human in the photo is probably feeling the exact opposite. Spread love not hurtful words via a screen. Xoxo Lizzie.’

Over 95,000 people liked Lizzie’s post. Many commented to offer their support to Lizzie, including her own mother, who wrote: ‘As Lizzie’s mom this hurts beyond words. But I stand with you to say spread love PLEASE. Love you Lizzie!’

We urge all social media users to ignore these memes and to see them for what they are, which is bullying.

While it may seem ‘funny’ at the time (god knows how), imagine that was you, or a family member being used in the meme, and think about how much it would hurt to feel as though the whole world is laughing at you.

It’s not ‘fun’ if someone’s getting hurt.

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