Ted Rall for June 20, 1999

Transcript:

True! Self-esteem survior stories. Melissa had everything anyone could ever desire: A brilliant career, a perfect marriage and the undying respect of her peers. (Man 1: Flowers from hubby (yawn) agian!) (Man 2: You've done it, Melissa! You found the cure for cancer in your spare time- you're gonna be rich!) (Woman: No way! I'm giving it away free!) (Man 3: Pardon me, but the president needs some help on the Kashmir conflict.) Then it happened- the passing remark that shattered Melissa's self-esteem! (Man 4: Yer butt is fat!) For a long time, she tried to shrug off the insult and dwell on the successful aspects of her life. (Woman: Maybe he was utilizing the African-American vernacular form "phat" which is positive in an ironic way.) Ultimately, though, she came to her senses. (Woman: It's true- my butt is fat!) Next: 57 years of therapy.