Although we love to view the world in absolutes, things are seldom black and white. Heroes have skeletons in their closets, and assholes secretly donate money to the ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLachlan.
Okay, maybe not. But the point is that the world is a complex place full of moral ambiguity, double standards and mixed feelings.
So we have taken it upon ourselves to bring back the epic binaries of good versus bad, right versus wrong and virtuous versus evil.
We humbly present you: Asshole and Hero of the week.
Asshole: Steve Santagati
Via: NYMag
Last week, an organization called Hollaback! released a video of a woman walking in New York City getting catcalled as she walked about. This video has been heavily debated since its release, but when CNN held a segment about it, that’s when shit really hit the fan.
CNN booked a stand-up comedian named Amanda Seales and an author named Steve Santagati to discuss the video and the gender issues it attempted to bring to light. As the segment rolled on, it became clear that the news anchor had no control over the segment and could not rein in the topic to get it back on track. It became an argument between the two guests that did not help either side of the issue.
But Santagati was the worst.
Santagati, in his first remark of the segment, claimed that women wouldn’t care about catcalling if every guy who catcalled were attractive. Not only is that inaccurate, but it also implies that women are reduced to puddles on the floor when an attractive man looks their way, which is insulting.
Every time he opened his mouth to say something in response to Seales, misogynistic drivel came out. He actually said the words, “If you don’t compliment me on the street, it is abuse because you didn’t bolster my self-esteem.”
I’m sorry. What? Catcalling is not complimentary. It’s not a boost to women’s self-esteems. It’s annoying. It’s objectifying, and for this guy to sit there on CNN and tell the world that we “feminists” are “taking things too far” is the most insulting and irritating thing about this whole situation.
No sir, I’m not taking things too far. You don’t know how women react to these issues because you don’t listen to them when they tell you how they feel. You’re ready to shut them down at every turn because you think your misogynistic ways are the correct ways. You’re wrong.
You’re an asshole, so enjoy your prize.
Hero: Tim Cook
Via: Washington Post
Apple CEO Tim Cook came out Thursday, publicly acknowledging his sexuality. Although he wasn’t exactly in the closet before he came out, he never publicly acknowledged it, either.
Cook said that he doesn’t want to be considered an LGBT activist, but that he hopes his public acknowledgement helps those struggling with their sexuality. This is an extremely noble goal that more closeted public figures should take on.
Back in 2007, British Petroleum CEO John Browne acknowledged his sexuality publicly only after he resigned. He was outed by his boyfriend at the time. He has since written a book about how he wished he had come out sooner because it would have been good business.
If there were more people like Cook, perhaps people who are struggling with their sexuality or coming out can see that there is someone else out there to whom they can relate — someone they can see stand up for who they are and succeed regardless of whom they love and the sex of that person is.
Even for those who are not struggling with their sexuality, it is nonetheless inspiring to see people in positions of power stand up and tell the world exactly who they are. We should all be so lucky to get that chance.
Featured photo courtesy of: Fossbytes
