Until very recently, I have been happy to know as little about Duck Dynasty as humanly possible. I still could not care less about this show, but recently it has come to my attention that, not only is this one of the most popular shows on television at the moment, but that apparently people are surprised one of the characters would say something racist and homophobic in an interview.
Here's why I don't care what this guy has to say about gay rights or what Jim Crow was like for people of color:
First of all, he is not a person of color so his opinions on the POC experience during Jim Crow are moot (albeit, still dangerous). He is also not gay -- he can disapprove of Queerness all he wants and, as it happens, nobody will stop being Queer because of it. Mostly though, and I'd like to emphasize this, the Phil Robertson in this picture is not real. No, seriously, this is a character created for the soul purpose of boosting A&E's ratings and for perpetuating the stereotypes associated with "backwoods rednecks." In reality, Robertson holds a master's degree in education from Louisiana Tech. This man is a multi-millionaire who can do whatever he wants and, what he wants to do is build his empire by marketing to an audience that can relate to this image right here.
Does this make his comments less dangerous and offensive?
Absolutely not, don't be ridiculous. Robertson very well may even believe the ignorance that he has been spouting during and since the original GQ interview. And to his credit, his argument was just as eloquent as can be -- just read this and tell me it doesn't forever change your mind about "the gays"
"It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus," Robertson told GQ. "That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."
It's like poetry, that. I mean, obviously, "there's more there" just says it all. Really, why would a man want to be with another man when women have more holes? That's just basic math, right there. Notice, by the way, that he doesn't seem to care so much about lesbians. I suppose they never really do. Robertson has gone beyond that, however, apparently vowing to not shut up until this publicity stunt has reached its full potential.
These comments are dangerous and they are offensive, but frankly, I just wish people would stop giving Robertson so much attention for them. I took pride in knowing nothing about Duck Dynasty and still do not care enough to work harder than I must to understand the situation. Basically, a stereotype said some stereotypical things for attention and the media has obliged. Good job, media.
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