‘Love Is Blind’ Shouldn’t Mean Open Season on People’s Looks

Most people in polite society have agreed to avoid making unpleasant comments about a person’s appearance. But it appears that you can still mock a man’s physical size.

This sentiment was reinforced during the latest season of Netflix’s reality dating show, Love is Blind. For the unfamiliar, the show allows singles to “date” without seeing one another and a small handful get engaged. After much typical reality show drama  –  meeting the parents, etc. – a few say “I do” at the altar. Most, however, say “I don’t,” if it even gets that far.

This season, we met Chris Fusco, who proved to be the most-detested person to ever appear on the show. Chris, a military vet and Ironman competitor, got engaged to Jess, a kind doctor who isn’t into exercise — which she was frank about in the show’s dating phase. Jess has more important items on her agenda than burpees: things like saving lives. For the record, Jess is attractive, at least by conventional standards, as are most Love is Blind cast members. Yes, for a show about appearance taking a backseat to personality, looks seem to matter a heck of a lot.

After a few blissful days in Cabo following his proposal, Chris pulled a stunning about face, abruptly informing Jess that he wasn’t attracted to her, and that he would prefer a person who did Pilates every day. CrossFit would probably suffice. Then, a few days later at a cast gathering at a bar, Chris doubled down. Clearly inebriated, he continued to diss Jess and made a play for another cast member who was engaged to his friend, Connor, also in the cast.

Since that moment aired, Chris has faced a severe and deserved backlash for his hurtful, insensitive actions. Specifically, he has been on the receiving end of a barrage of epithets regarding his diminutive height. Yes, at about 5’6”, Chris is on the shorter side, and he’s been relentlessly height-shamed for it. This started on the show when Amber, another cast member with admitted anger issues, ridiculed Chris’ size. But now he has been abused online, often with unpleasant flair. Chris has been called everything but a Munchkin, and that’s only because Munchkins are friendly and good-natured or, in their edible form, delicious.

Whatever the case, It’s short shaming. Inexplicably, this behavior is somehow acceptable, even to “sensitive” “progressive” types. Why is it OK to mock a man’s size? What’s wrong with being more concentrated? A Ferrari beats an Oldsmobile anyday.

Well, no, let’s not go there.

Rather, let’s. discuss why short is awesome. There’s more room on public transportation, in a crowded home or in a bed. If you get locked out, a short dude with moxie might be able to fit through the window. Shorter men live longer with healthier knees and ankles, and short is often cute.

I jest, but in all seriousness no one deserves ridicule because of their physical stature. Short men are people too! Chris deserved to be called out for his hurtful behavior, not his height. Matching hate with hate just leads to more.