If you’ve been paying attention to the headlines this year, you likely heard about the uproar caused by former Playmate Dani Mathers back in July. The incident involved her secretly snapping a photo of a 70-year-old woman changing in the gym and posting it on Snapchat with the caption, “If I can’t unsee this, then you can’t either.” I mean, seriously? That kind of behavior makes you want to avoid gyms—or any public spaces—where folks like Mathers might be lurking with their phones, ready to share a laugh at someone else’s expense. Beyond the cringe-worthy humiliation inflicted on that poor woman, Mathers’ actions sent a wave of violation and anger rippling through all of us.
Mathers later tried to apologize, but let’s be real: it’s hard to muster up much sympathy for someone who should know better. An adult shouldn’t need to apologize for something so fundamentally wrong; her words can’t undo the humiliation she caused.
Now, according to BuzzFeed News, it seems justice is on its way for Mathers, as she’s been charged with one count of invasion of privacy. If found guilty, she could face up to six months behind bars along with a $1,000 fine. The LA Times reports that this kind of charge is quite rare; typically, invasion of privacy cases involve “peeping Toms” taking suggestive photos. Mathers’ case stands out because it specifically revolves around body-shaming, which adds a unique twist to the legal proceedings.
Sadly, this sort of behavior isn’t as uncommon as it should be, especially with social media’s rapid rise. The hope is that Mathers’ case could establish a precedent for future incidents, potentially deterring cyber bullies from engaging in similar behavior. Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer summed it up well in a statement: “Body shaming is humiliating, with often painful, long-term consequences… We shouldn’t tolerate that.” Preach!
We need to cultivate a zero-tolerance approach toward body shaming. Sure, social media amplifies the issue, but in a civilized society, there should be no room for demeaning someone based on their appearance. (Looking at you, Mr. Candidate for President.) Mathers is set to be arraigned on November 28th, and while I don’t revel in her downfall, it’s crucial that she faces consequences for her actions. Humiliating others for their looks is never acceptable—not even for a moment.
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Summary
Dani Mathers, a former Playboy Playmate, has been charged with invasion of privacy after she shared a body-shaming photo of an elderly woman. This case highlights the growing issue of body shaming and the need for stricter consequences related to privacy violations.