“I think that she is currently a woman. I cannot confirm for you that she has been a woman her entire life. My guess is that at some point she had some form of surgery. Have you seen this chick?”He also described her as a “beast,” an “animal,” a “monster” and a “sasquatch of a woman.”
Many are focusing on the overt sexism of Kaplan's comments but it is the egregious dehumanization that offends me equally.
What makes these comments disheartening is that Scott Kaplan has a daughter (or 2?) as does his co-host Billy Ray Smith.
I can only imagine if my daughters were ever described in such a way. I'm pretty sure I would cry. And I don't think that's overreacting. Nor is it being overly sensitive. It's simply a matter of common decency. A sense of decency that is often absent when Scott Kaplan speaks about women or to women on the airwaves.
It is a difficult time to lose a job but in the end we are all accountable. As it should be.
I think the worst thing is that he didn't apologize, but defended himself: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/Scott-Kaplan-Fired-Sports-Radio-San-Diego-138848799.html
ReplyDeleteSaying its a "guys" show, as though it is some sort of an excuse.
You are right, the dehumanization of Andrea was what was most disgusting. When you add it to his constant constant talking about "Hot Chicks" and "Cougars at Del Mar" and pausing to talk about how "saucy" a local female anchor is...it really wears on you.
Yeah, it's a weak excuse.
ReplyDeleteAll guys are guilty of "locker-room talk" from time to time but when you broadcast it to thousands and the speech devolves into sub-human evaluations of people within your profession you better be prepared for the sh*t-storm that will surely come.
Thanks for stopping by, Daniel.