Hot Takes: Butker's Backlash, Benifer's Drama and Spacey's (Possible) Comeback
Did you hear the one about Harrison Butker? You know the one, where the famous football player gives a commencement speech, says women shouldn't work and LGBTQ+ shouldn't have Pride, among other stuff, and then proceeded to make almost everyone angry, including his own employer. Well, let's break this one down, shall we?
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker's comments during his commencement speech at Benedict University, a private Catholic university, have been widely panned and deemed sexist, homophonic, and ignorant. He's been getting a ton of backlash from commentators, social media, and even the NFL, who said in a statement, "Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization... The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
Here's the thing, are his statements out of step statistically with most Americans? Yes. Does he have a right to say them? Yes. Do we have a right to make fun of him for saying them out loud? 1,000 percent.
And that's just it. If your first reaction is to roll your eyes, chuckle, and then move on, guess what? You're like me, an ordinary American who yes, has some friends who enjoy going to Pride and also some family members who voted for Trump. Do I always agree with either them? Certainly not, but they exist. And then when they say the crazy stuff like Butker did, I immediately laugh, realize he's a 28-year-old millionaire who kicks a ball for a living and has no idea what real life is actually like, and then I go back to my life because I got bills to pay, thank you.
What worries me more is if you legitimately look to someone like Butker for moral and civic leadership. Even if you don't, if you're spending your time being angry about Butker, maybe you should redirect your attention to politicians and people in positions of actual power making policies that don't represent what the vast majority of Americans want: a good job that pays enough to support our families, access to affordable health care and prescription drugs, good education for our kids, and, I dunno, maybe a little extra money so that we can buy tickets to the games where that 28-year-old man who said those crazy things kicks those balls. You feel me?
Anyway, don't worry about Harrison Butker. Sure, let him think I'm degenerate. Frankly, I'm too busy worrying about people with actual power who are passing laws that don't represent me and my values. And guess what? You should be, too.
Here's what else is poppin' in pop culture...
- Rumors are flying that there's trouble in paradise for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. TMZ reported Affleck has been staying at a different home in Los Angeles. Can you imagine getting in a fight with your spouse and having a whole other home to go to to cool off?
- Investigation Discovery dropped the documentary Spacey Unmasked about Kevin Spacey and well, people are talking. The doc outlines the Oscar winner's fall from grace amid his numerous sexual assault allegations. Now stars like Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson are coming to the actor's defense, saying he's too much of a talent to not be acting. I wonder if they saw the documentary?
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs' alleged drug mule, Brendan Paul, who was arrested around the same time authorities searched Combs' homes in connection to an investigation into sex trafficking, among other things, has accepted a plea deal and will not face any drug charges. This begs the question, will the former Combs assistant spill anything on the music mogul to authorities?
- Finally, people are talking about the ABC News anchor DeMarco Morgan. Back in April, the GMA3 anchor posted a photo of himself in bike shorts after a ride. Well, lots of things are visible in the picture, one thing in particular. Let's just say it's something Morgan can't take off. TMZ reports people at ABC want Morgan to take the photo down, but he thinks the whole thing is being overblown. My take? We all know the thing everyone is freaking out about is there. It's not a surprise, so why should he try to cover it up? Or feel shame? I'm Team No Shame!
Keep scrolling for more entertainment news! I'll see you on Monday.
