I have a daily reminder of being bullied as a child. A classmate (from a school that had just a handful of “minorities”) threw out a racial slur and swung a swing seat at me hard enough to chip one of my front teeth.
As I’ve been watching Top Chef this season, I find myself feeling increasingly unccomfortable. Children bullying children is often passed as “kids will be kids” or “children can be so cruel”. But to hear adult female chefs (specifically Heather, Lindsay and Sarah) zeroing in on one individual to consistently talk down to, call names, criticize and refuse to give props when she wins is so outrageous. Fortunately, strong chefs Nyesha, Dakota and Grayson stood up against the bullies in her defense.
What amazes me is the grace displayed by Chef Beverly Kim throughout the season. While comments on Top Chef blogs keep telling Chef Kim to “get a backbone”, I find her inner strength shows more backbone than any retort she could fire back.
“As soon as you lose faith in yourself is when you’re done.”
What a good lesson for all of us. Her quiet self-confidence is glaringly evident against the insecure bullying that has been occuring all season.
One of Chef Beverly Kim’s winning dishes.
