Public Bodies, Moving Past Judgment at the Gym

I'm going to start this post off with a small/ tiny/ disclaimer:  I am a overweight black woman (OWB).  Surprisingly enough, i do things.  Things like: shopping at Neimans, or Bloomies, eating Pho, using correct grammar and most relative to this article:  working out.   I don't just go to the gym and put in my time on the treadmill at 3.0 with zero incline.  I've been known to row, lift weights, and use every piece of equipment I see fit.  This is me working out. Lately, however, I've noticed this trend on the inter webs ... White people becoming flabbergasted when OWBs do anything outside of their box of acceptable actions.

Specifically this article wigs me out. Really irks me.  The author is pointing out another overweight black woman because she is overweight and black and is subconsciously stating "you Don't Belong Here, this is a space I've created for white female (and the occasional male) bodies.  You are not welcome here."  The author never states things bluntly as most accidental/sorta/kind of racist people do.  No, her message of hate is strewn as she contemptuously presumes that OWB is there merely to disturb her chi and stare enviously at the perfect white female body she'll never attain.  And this is fucked up.  I've been that girl, the OWB who's mentally exhausted, came to do yoga but could only mange to sit in child's pose for 20mins.  I've been that girl who receives stares neither questioning or menacing but unblinking and I've stared back with a look of "what the actual fuck" which is often confused with contempt.    My problem with people that share the author's mindset is simple: why won't you let me live?  Can I be here working on my fitness without you surmising that I am so past the point of saving all I can do is stare hopelessly at all you?  Can I be the only black girl in yoga without you wondering why in the world I'm there,  when I'm clearly trying to relieve stress and get fit.  

So with that in mind: here's a list of dos and donts

1.  Do assume I'm at the gym to get a good workout and reduce stress 

2.  Do not assume I am jealous of your "perfect body"

3.  Do kindly accept and realize that there are real black women out here who aren't Beyonces or Video Girls.  We go to school, we work and yes, we do yoga and we deserve to live in peace without your* affirmation