Major Duck-Up

With all the discussion over anti-gay comments made by Duck Dynasty star, Phil Robertson, I've decided to finally add a perspective that seems to be lacking expression.  That is, the opinion of a former fan of the show.  

I want to take on some common responses that have been made during discussions of Robertson's comments and suspension.  

"What did you expect?"  "Are you really surprised that he said that?"

In short, I expected better, and I'm more disappointed than surprised.  Of course I understood that the show was depicting a southern "redneck" family with strong religious values.  It shouldn't have surprised me that they have conservative views on homosexuality.  However, I suspected that a lot of the "redneck" attributes were exaggerated for the show.  Photos of the family before the show confirmed this.  So while they may portray themselves as hicks, I guess I held some hope that they would have a more tolerant message in the long run.  

For example, in one episode, Uncle Si puts on a feather boa and tiara while sipping imaginary tea with his grand-nieces.  Phil, of course, looks on disapprovingly and in the cut-away interview says how ridiculous Si was being.  For his part, Si expresses no discomfort, no "gay panic" over dressing up to entertain the children.  

After Phil's GQ interview, the episode that got the most attention was the one with an obviously gay photographer.  Phil's reactions to the gay man should have left no doubt as to his opinion, right?   Here's where the degree of "reality" comes into play.  "Phil" as portrayed in the show, is seen as the wise head of the family, but also shows a flawed human side.  Oftentimes, he expresses his opinion that his son's wives need to be "redneckified," and his concern that his sons and grandkids are getting "too city-fied."  In some cases, he comes to accept their differences.  Perhaps I was hoping that the photographer episode would introduce a process of coming to accept different people.  People say that the episode should have made Phil's opinion obvious.  But again, I was not ready to assume anything about Phil based on the TV persona.  For my part, I'm reminded of All in the Family.   The character of Archie Bunker was racist, arrogant, and opinionated.  Carol O'Connor, on the other hand, the actor who portrayed Bunker, strongly supported civil rights and acceptance.  

Jeezus, Phil! Why 'you gotta make the rest of look bad, eh?

It appears, though, that part of the reality show is real, and the backwoods, back-wards, hicks are as ignorant and intolerant in real life as the characters they play for the cameras.  

In the debate over Phil's right to free speech and disapproval of A&E suspending him (a decision they have since reversed), I held the opinion that no one's rights were infringed.  Yes, Phil has a right to express his views.  However, A&E was well within their rights to distance themselves from those opinions by essentially refusing to continue to provide a platform for his speech.  In other words, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from backlash when you make an ass of yourself.  

As to the attempts at undoing the harm, all I can say is "nice try, but no good."  A&E released a statement (included here in Chicago Tribune article) claiming to extend the Robertson family's regrets over the "course language" and asserting that Phil would "never incite or encourage hate."  Begging to differ, A&E, but the comments made by Phil, which reports are saying you knew about before they were published, are inciting and encouraging hate.  Calling someones sexual orientation a sin means that you consider it a choice, something they can and should change.  Such views make it permissible to pre-judge someone based on who they are.  Phil's graphic and ignorant stereotyping ignores the deep relationships formed between people of the same gender, and focuses on what he views as the "ickiness" of gay relationships.  Like so many conservatives, he thinks that gay people are only "gay" when we're having sex, so we must be doing it all the time.  (side note: I wish)  Judging people is the beginning of hate.  It makes all sorts of treatment "permissible" because they are "bad people."  

In the statement announcing the end of the suspension, A&E claims "Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family...a family that America has come to love."  I have come to love the show and the family, but now feel disowned.  The show no longer resonates with me because there is a bitter and dissonant chord of intolerance and hypocrisy that I cannot ignore.  

I know that many people will continue to watch the show.  I will not be one of them.