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 the task upon ourselves to bring back the epic binary of good versus bad, right versus wrong and virtuous versus evil.
We humbly present you: Asshole and Hero of the week.
Asshole: Jaris Monte Hayden
Via: PressHerald
This past week, corrections officer Jaris Hayden from Ferguson, Missouri, was charged with sexual assault following an alleged rape of a pregnant woman in the jail where he works.
On October 9, 2013, the victim was stopped at a routine traffic stop for having expired plates. After giving the arresting officer false information, she was arrested and brought into the jail where Hayden was working. Hayden began processing the victim, while reportedly making sexually charged comments to her.
The woman allegedly told Hayden that she would do anything to get out of jail. Being the incredibly selfless person that he is, he claimed that if she performed oral sex on him, he would let her go. Scared and helpless, the woman did what he asked. He then took things a step further, having intercourse with the woman, who was pregnant at the time.
When she was released, she went to a nearby Subway restaurant to preserve the pubic hair she took from Hayden during the encounter.
First of all, Ferguson’s got enough problems to deal with without having to add yet another corrupt public official to its roster. A state of emergency is declared in the state, and as the population awaits the Mike Brown Grand Jury decision, bad press is one thing this powder keg cannot handle.
And, secondly, what kind of sick, twisted man would take advantage of a pregnant woman like that? She was clearly frightened about being in jail in the first place. You’re going to abuse your position by making her perform sex acts on you? For what? Because you can?
It’s a completely disgusting act. I would not be surprised if this woman developed a severe distrust of anyone with a badge after that encounter. And, frankly, after everything that’s gone on in Ferguson, Missouri over the past year, I don’t blame her.
So, kudos to you, Jaris Monte Hayden, for being a despicable human being and adding more fuel to an already raging fire. Bravo.
Hero: Karl Stefanovic
Via: Pedestrian TV
One of Australia’s most beloved pranksters on morning TV, Karl Stefanovic, brought to light a serious issue of sexism with regard to female TV presenters by wearing the same exact suit for a full year.
It was revealed in a segment this week on Today in Australia that he decided to conduct this experiment after his female co-host received a lot of backlash about how she looked, following an interview she conducted last year. He wanted to see if anyone would even notice if he wore the same suit all year, and no one did.
Sexism is a hot-button topic in the media today, with everyone voicing their opinions on both sides of the issue. Karl showed that this issue does exist, no matter what your opinion is to the contrary. He stood up for his co-host and made a statement about what’s really going on in the world.
I like this moment.
I think it’s important for men and women to join together and call the rest of the world out on its bullshit. Feminism isn’t about pitting men against women; it’s about equality.
For a man to wear the same suit in silent protest for a year, it shows that not every man out there falls on the wrong side of this issue. Not every man is willing to just sit back and watch as the world tears women down. There are men out there who are not afraid to stand up for something they believe is right.
Karl Stefanovic, I love your silent protest. I love what it stands for. I love you for exposing it to the world.
Featured photo courtesy of: Slate
