The intentions behind political correctness are good, and in my opinion, the benefits outweigh the hindrances. In saying that, however, there are times the PC-police go too far, and at no time is that more evident than in a recent event surrounding Ellen Degeneres.
Actress, comedian, and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, recently posted a happy birthday tweet to her friend Katy Perry's page.
The tweet read, "Happy birthday, #KatyPerry! It's time to bring out the big balloons!" Attached to the post was a picture of Ellen making a goofy face while staring at Ms. Perry's chest. Perry appeared to be laughing in the photo.
To my surprise, there were a number of complaints made regarding Ellen's tweet.
Piers Morgan responded, "If a man made this joke, Ellen would lead the cries of 'SEXIST PIG!'"
Michael Rapaport echoed those sentiments, as he tweeted, "Imagine if Cam Newton or any other Man sent out this tweet & photo."
A tweeter with the username Pundit Class posted a tweet which continued the earlier set trend, as he said, "If a man did this, there would be hell to pay."
Lasly, a member with the username Mike Meins wrote, "I'm creeped out over this. @TheEllenShow is disgusting. She belongs in the same bull pen as #Weinstein."
I'm sorry, but give me a fricking break. Ellen is a comedian, a friend of Katy Perry's, and was both referring to a song of Ms. Perry's and an earlier photograph the two took with one another where they appeared to be having a blast. Three of the four before-mentioned tweeters wanted to claim that there was a double-standard at work here. I'm sorry, but in order to make this an apples-to-apples comparison, we can't just say, "Any man who posted such a tweet would be labeled as a sexist." This man would have to be friends with Katy Perry and include a photo of him making a goofy face while staring at Ms. Perry's chest, and her appearing to get a kick out of it. Sure, it would likely be seen as even more controversial than Ellen's post, but we have to look at the surrounding context and not just generalize.
Also, at what point in the post is Ellen being sexist? At what point is she discriminating against Katy Perry, and with that, women everywhere? She's not saying a woman with larger than average breasts is superior or inferior, or that what makes a woman are her breasts. She's simply making an observation. Since when is making such an observation prejudice? Acknowledging that a person is naturally tan in complexion isn't racist. Claiming this person is inferior due to that complexion is. Similarly, Ellen acknowledging that Katy Perry may have a larger chest than herself is not sexist. If she had said something like, "That's all women are good for - to look at and have sex with," that would be sexist, and isn't at all similar to what Ms. DeGeneres actually said.
Lastly, the fourth tweeter's comparison is ridiculous to the point of insane. Ellen DeGeneres cracked a joke with a personal friend of her's. Even if Ellen's tweet was the most offensive joke in the history of mankind, the pain and damage it would inflict would pale in comparison to Harvey Weinstein's past misdeeds. Ellen DeGeneres making a joke about a personal friend's chest size isn't anywhere close to Harvey Weinstein groping women's chests without their consent, harassing, assaulting, and raping them. A joke may be hit or miss when it comes to how much laughter it prompts. There's absolutely nothing funny about rape, and to compare the two is an insult to victims everywhere.
http://www.nme.com/news/ellen-degeneres-branded-sexist-over-katy-perry-happy-birthday-message-2153797
Actress, comedian, and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, recently posted a happy birthday tweet to her friend Katy Perry's page.
The tweet read, "Happy birthday, #KatyPerry! It's time to bring out the big balloons!" Attached to the post was a picture of Ellen making a goofy face while staring at Ms. Perry's chest. Perry appeared to be laughing in the photo.
To my surprise, there were a number of complaints made regarding Ellen's tweet.
Piers Morgan responded, "If a man made this joke, Ellen would lead the cries of 'SEXIST PIG!'"
Michael Rapaport echoed those sentiments, as he tweeted, "Imagine if Cam Newton or any other Man sent out this tweet & photo."
A tweeter with the username Pundit Class posted a tweet which continued the earlier set trend, as he said, "If a man did this, there would be hell to pay."
Lasly, a member with the username Mike Meins wrote, "I'm creeped out over this. @TheEllenShow is disgusting. She belongs in the same bull pen as #Weinstein."
I'm sorry, but give me a fricking break. Ellen is a comedian, a friend of Katy Perry's, and was both referring to a song of Ms. Perry's and an earlier photograph the two took with one another where they appeared to be having a blast. Three of the four before-mentioned tweeters wanted to claim that there was a double-standard at work here. I'm sorry, but in order to make this an apples-to-apples comparison, we can't just say, "Any man who posted such a tweet would be labeled as a sexist." This man would have to be friends with Katy Perry and include a photo of him making a goofy face while staring at Ms. Perry's chest, and her appearing to get a kick out of it. Sure, it would likely be seen as even more controversial than Ellen's post, but we have to look at the surrounding context and not just generalize.
Also, at what point in the post is Ellen being sexist? At what point is she discriminating against Katy Perry, and with that, women everywhere? She's not saying a woman with larger than average breasts is superior or inferior, or that what makes a woman are her breasts. She's simply making an observation. Since when is making such an observation prejudice? Acknowledging that a person is naturally tan in complexion isn't racist. Claiming this person is inferior due to that complexion is. Similarly, Ellen acknowledging that Katy Perry may have a larger chest than herself is not sexist. If she had said something like, "That's all women are good for - to look at and have sex with," that would be sexist, and isn't at all similar to what Ms. DeGeneres actually said.
Lastly, the fourth tweeter's comparison is ridiculous to the point of insane. Ellen DeGeneres cracked a joke with a personal friend of her's. Even if Ellen's tweet was the most offensive joke in the history of mankind, the pain and damage it would inflict would pale in comparison to Harvey Weinstein's past misdeeds. Ellen DeGeneres making a joke about a personal friend's chest size isn't anywhere close to Harvey Weinstein groping women's chests without their consent, harassing, assaulting, and raping them. A joke may be hit or miss when it comes to how much laughter it prompts. There's absolutely nothing funny about rape, and to compare the two is an insult to victims everywhere.
http://www.nme.com/news/ellen-degeneres-branded-sexist-over-katy-perry-happy-birthday-message-2153797
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