Media Assassins #ridicule #bullying #damage

Driving home this afternoon I was listening to, and usually enjoy a program hosted by 3 of my favourite broadcasters. That was until this afternoon! The trio are witty, amusing, entertaining  and have a great following and therein lies the reason for my writings and my decision not to follow again.

The topic for discussion this afternoon was 'Would you take your father out on the town?' Ageist? Yes, but this was balanced by the feedback that was phoned in.  So, I will let that ride for now. However, the preamble that took place prior to the talkback, was of enough for me to pull my car to the curb and listen as to just how far these guys would go. Or in fact, would they remedy the comments they made.

The preamble was about a celebrity father who was spotted in a Mexican themed night club.  The guy was recently reported in the tabloids as having undergone chondrolaryngoplasty or in laymen terms, a 'tracheal shave'.  Some of us may feel a little shy being seen out with a father of this age.  Though, I might add, if my Dad was to join me, I would feel rather privileged that he wanted to hang out with me. But no, the trio not only stuck it to him for his age and being spotted giving support to his son, but they stuck it to him and repeatedly referred to him as, 'He makes a very handsome woman!' Therein begins my anger! 

In a world, where the great Bob Dylan wrote 'Times they are a-changin!' I had thought that presenters of such programs would have enough empathy, enough compassion, and enough spirit of good will, for people who are fighting for their right to be recognized as equal in this world.

Who are these people who feel they have the right to make their fun at somebody else's expense. I would have thought radio stations would have learned their lesson with the Kate and William debacle! But no, the vulnerable are fair game for ridicule and sniggering, so long as the program rolls on and the ratings soar. Recently, quite rightly, there was a huge outpouring of anger and grief when the media lost one of their own due to online bullying and abuse. What is the difference between on-air public ridicule and online ridicule? I can hear you say that the online conversation was vitriolic abuse but, on-air ridicule is as every bit as damaging. As such, it is time this talk show ridicule was dumped along with those who peddle it.

I feel that as part of  the LGBTI community we continue to pave the way for recognition, acceptance and equal rights. We have emerged as human beings who have as much to offer as any other person on this earth.  We have strived to be recognized for our excellence in our work, our homes and our community.  None of us have walked in the other person's shoes, so how dare we publicly ridicule, and humiliate for the sake of ratings.  If in fact, this guy is undergoing a sex reassignment, let us support him, let us give him strength to face his decisions. Let us support his family that he feels comfortable to be seen with, at Mexican themed bars.

In this world that is ever changing let us not make a mockery of someone who is just trying to be themselves.  Let's stand alongside them show them love, caring and compassion.

Did the trio redeem themselves? No. sadly they did not. So, I am left to assume that they think their behaviour is perfectly fine, that it is ok to publicly ridicule and humiliate someone. Well, they can have their program, but I for one will no longer listen.

                                                  "For the wheel's still in spin, 
                                                   And there's no tellin who, 
                                                   That it's namin' for the loser now, 
                                                   Will be later to win, 
                                                   For the times they are a-changin!" 
                                                                    
                                                                   Bob Dylan