Its funny how some people react around the holidays. From the middle of September till January people become odd. Odd is great way to politely explain a behavior or behaviors that have managed to irritate you to the point of distraction. Of course social media only seems to amplify this, at times, outrageous behavior.
In the last few weeks we have had several rather scandalous revelations just rock the world. Phil Robertson, of Duck Dynasty fame, revealed while he loves everyone, being gay is wrong and blacks were happy prior to the civil rights movement, big huh? Then we found out Santa Claus was white, who knew? The biggest escandaloso was Brandi Glanville, of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame was going through some sort of perimenopausal, alcohol induced verbal melt down. Okay everyone, we have practiced our #GayGasps, now is the time to do one.
I normally tend to stay out of the fray when it comes to hot button topics on Twitter, Facebook and etc. I just don't like how personal and nasty folks get. Teams come together, plans are hatched, its all so grammar school courtyard shit and for me that was never a pleasure. I just sit back and watch folks argue the more salient points of who said what first and to whom. This time though I wanted to weigh in on the whole Duck Dynasty controversy.
I support any idiot who wants to open their mouths and spout intolerance. Have at it, its your neck your slitting not mine and far be it for me to stop and asshole from taking a dump. What I didn't care for was how people reacted. People who I would have thought liberal/gay friendly were outraged by the cable networks A&E, decision to suspend Mr. Robertson, due to his remarks. Really? They didn't seem to have a thought about all the gay, women and people of color who he offended, just that it was his right to say ugly things and not suffer any consequence for them.
I just looked at my Twitter feed and wondered who the hell these people where. One follower was offended, yes offended after I told her as a white, heterosexual woman she could not possibly understand what is was like to be gay or black. Offended she told me! Point, click, block. Stunned is all I can say. She didn't even get it...never will and so life moves on, right? I lost a few followers that day and the next people were still spouting off at the mouth without engaging their brains first.
I decided right then and there I was not going to tolerate anyone on my Twitter feed who didn't get it. I now have carpal tunnel syndrome because of all the blocking I started doing. Then we had the whole Santa is white fiasco. Who really cares if a person/family other than white wants to believe this mythical creature in a red velvet suit and a white beard is anything other than white. Again more blocking, unfollowing and lots of shaking my head. People are really stupid and very intolerant.
Lastly, we had the bastion of all that is inappropriate and drunk, Ms. Brandi Glanville. Let me go on the record and say I liked Brandi. Her and I shared the same style of inappropriate humor. I found her refreshing last season on the show. She is a beautiful woman with two adorable boys and watching her on the show was as close to screwing Eddy Cibrian as I would ever get, a win/win situation. This season I have only seen her drunk, say racially intolerant, ignorant remarks. Fire an assistant for no good reason and behave in a fashion I can only call "Couture Fuckery". I don't like this new Brandi and that is a problem for people. I followed a parody account which is Brandi's vagina, @brandisstankvag. Whomever is doing this account is funny. Just funny. A blogger even interviewed Brandi's vagina. I was on the floor laughing. It all just sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek humor or comments. Who doesn't love a good laugh?
Anyhow, people started to get angry. As they always do when you say something, funny, negative about some housewife on the shows. People act like G-d has come down and personally appointed them to the position of defender of the wife. I have been tweeting about the shows, occasionally blogging about the shows for years. These women do not give a shit about the viewers. They are all egocentric, drunk, back stabbing, greedy women who do the show for the glory and money. If anyone who follows one of these tarnished goddesses thinks they actually give a shit about anything other than free trips, clothes and taking a good picture they are crazy and in for a real let down. I, personally, find them all a little...okay, a lot...dumb. I have no favorites other than some who manage to not make my gag reflex kick every time they open their mouth. Other than that, I really have no favorites.
Back to topic...been doing a lot of blocking of people who piss me off in regards to Brandi. I rarely, if ever tweet the housewives. Very rare. I don't give a shit, I snark during the show and went its over its over. I am not sitting in front of my computer waiting for them to tweet something or reading everything ever written about one of them. Good grief I have a life and a lot of hand cream, if you know what I mean. So its odd to me when people attack when I tweet something about, say Brandi. In fact I have nicknames for most of them. The only way any of them would ever see a tweet is if they did the work and either searched the shows hash tag or their name without the @ symbol. So really, the only people to see my thoughts, opinions or snark are my followers. Not one star or celeb follows me.
I have really done some house cleaning on my social media networks. Gotten rid of the intolerant, the stupid and the dead weight. The year is coming to close and I feel liberated. Liberated from the pressure of trying to keep the peace with people who never seem to take a minute to think before they act. I am ready for a new year. So out with the old and in with the new.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Duck, Duck Goose
I am sure by the time this blog is read, the whole Phil Roberston, Duck Dynasty mellow drama will have reached either a fevered pitch or will have started to fade, like my interest in Vanderpump Rules TV show.
First and foremost, for me, Silence = Death. As a gay, Jewish man, the grandchild of a holocaust survivor I am compelled to stand up, no matter the cost, and fight ignorance and intolerance. Simply, that is who I am. I was shocked, saddened and ultimately had my universe expanded yesterday. It started out innocent enough. I was sitting staring at the screen and started watching the Duck Dynasty, from this point on called DD, controversy begin to play out. For those who follow me on Twitter (@mintedroyalty), you know I really don't get involved in all the hubbub over current events very often. I didn't get involved in the Treyvon/Zimmerman case, the GOP's rape insurance BS, or the other hot button events that rock Twitter from time to time. I just don't. I usually state my point of view and move onto snarking at the ridiculous housewives, cracking my Fiona Barnsworth, Hooker To The Stars jokes. I prefer my activism to be in real life, where I can and do make a difference.
I had some lively debates with a few followers. I stated while I support Mr. Roberstons' right to espouse his views about homosexuality, the Bible and of racial relations during the Jim Crow years, I found his remarks highly offensive and very ignorant. Not to mention his very flawed remarks about what is in the Bible. I also stated I thought his suspension from A&E's show appropriate. Every action has a reaction.
I consider myself to be enlightened. I support any speech. Whether I like it or not. I also support my right to respond and espouse my views. In my America, I also have the right to support companies I find fall in line with my social and political views. This seems to be a different America where Mr. Robertson's supporters are. They are shocked and angered Mr. Robertson was suspended from the show. Really?
After dinner, I logged into Twitter and started to see the second wave of nonsense in regards to Mr. Robertson. By this point my tolerance of the stupid one sided behavior of some had ebbed. I kept hearing things like, "but he lost his job," "he was quoting the bible," "its his right." I mean really? Are you kidding me? Don't get it twisted people. The Constitutionally protected right of Free Speech which everyone is thumping for Mr. Robertson is not extended to others who wish to react to his intolerant, ignorant and flawed remarks? Really? I find those who always make the claim to free speech are usually those who wish to deny it to those who they don't agree with.
This is a problem for me. Lets set the record straight (pun fully intended) shall we. Mr. Robertson attended Louisiana Tech college. He started a very successful business long before the show. This family is not living off of hunting in the friggin swamp people. In fact, they didn't even look like how they appear on the show with those silly beards and fatigues they sport prior to the show. It was a carefully contrived, well thought out and planned manipulation of the viewing public. Many bought into that manipulation and I laughed. It became very evident and clear many were basing their reaction to this drama on the fact they believed Mr. Robertson and his family were poor, white trash (his term, not mine) folks living in a double wide depending on the show and their hunting to survive. Idiots.
The fact this white, college educated, wealthy, "G-dly" man would by innuendo equate homosexuality with bestiality, claim that blacks were happy before the civil rights movement and he never had a black person come up to him and tell him they were unhappy with white people is typical. Typical of a person who is intolerant. He went on to quote the Bible which many were telling me was his right. Lets discuss this shall we? I don't know what Bible this asshole is reading but his remarks are not from any Christian or Jewish Bibles I have ever read. He claimed prior to the Great Flood of Noah, everyone and everything was vegetarian and after the flood G-d made the animals wild and everyone became meat eaters. I publicly dare this man to find that in any main-line Christian or Jewish Bible. Dare him. I have never heard such rubbish.
The fact no black ever came up to him and complained about how they were treated by white folks, in the south, during Jim Crow years, and help me out here Black readers, was simply because he was a white man! What Black person, in the 1950's south, deep south, would've walked up to a white man and said, "ya know, we Blacks don't like the way Whitey is treating us!" Really? Buy the fucking clue you asshole. The Black person stupid enough to make a remark like that, during the Jim Crow years probably would have become Tree Fruit. For those of you not from the south, Tree Fruit is, was an expression to politely describe a Black person hanging from a tree. So really, in an environment of such horrific violence against people based solely on their skin color, Mr. Robertson thinks Blacks were happy? What a moron.
I was gobsmacked when some of followers on Twitter started to get pissy with me over what I thought was an easy, slam dunk issue. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I have yet to see any person of color, gay, lesbian orientation come out in support of this man. I have seen a bunch of middle aged, white, straight women tell me it was this assholes right to bash me as a gay man and tell me about race relations from the white man's perspective. Shocked, angered and ultimately educated.
For the record, just because this man had the right to say such ugly, hurtful and offensive remarks doesn't mean he should have. This issue, for me, has become a defining one. You either find this man's remarks intolerable or you don't. I am not getting into any esoteric discussion on the nuances of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. I am a para-legal and consider myself a "Constitutionalist." He can say whatever he would like and so can I. I can also get others who are like minded and force a network to remove his narrow minded, self-serving, bigoted, homo-phobic ass from TV. Yeah people, that is how it works in these United States of America.
I am tired of some fucking straight, white person telling me, when, where and how I can be offended. Tell me how a white, straight person can even understand the struggle for basic human rights of the gays and blacks? How? Go sit in your comfortable little world straight/white people. This is an area you have no clue about and never will. I, I don't even begin to say I understand how it is for a black person, but I can say I find their experience horrifying.
I really think the comments from some of the people I interacted with on Twitter where for me, more offensive than Mr. Robertson's remarks. The fact they would tweet to me about some assholes right to say things I am telling them offended me made my blood run cold. It shows just how much farther we have to go to get equal rights and protection under the law in this country for Gays and Blacks. So much more education is needed.
I think many were pissed when I challenged them about their stance. As a GAY, JEWISH man I will no longer beg for acceptance. I will not ask nicely to be treated with respect and common human dignity. I DEMAND it. I believe it was my asserting my rights which pissed these people off and ultimately lead them to unfollow and say very offensive and ugly things to me. The line has been drawn. The argument clearly defined. Mr. Robertson has the right to his views. He has the right to espouse those views. I, as a fellow American, by right of birth, also enjoy those rights. If you do not like, as a direct result of his own actions, than I and many, many others decided to exercise our rights to not like, condone and endorse his views, then your unAmerican and most assuredly someone I don't wish to interact with.
For those who felt the need to unfollow me, I wish you well. Toddle off into your bubble of white intolerance. I am happy to have you off of my TL on Twitter. Your false support of the Gay community and of civil rights for Blacks will not be missed. You missed your opportunity to stand up and say no to intolerance and instead tried to muddy the waters with some weak claim about Mr. Robertson's right to espouse hate and intolerance. That was never in question. The question was did you find his remarks hateful. Duck, Duck Goose, the egg of intolerance has been laid and its rotten.
Especially those who
First and foremost, for me, Silence = Death. As a gay, Jewish man, the grandchild of a holocaust survivor I am compelled to stand up, no matter the cost, and fight ignorance and intolerance. Simply, that is who I am. I was shocked, saddened and ultimately had my universe expanded yesterday. It started out innocent enough. I was sitting staring at the screen and started watching the Duck Dynasty, from this point on called DD, controversy begin to play out. For those who follow me on Twitter (@mintedroyalty), you know I really don't get involved in all the hubbub over current events very often. I didn't get involved in the Treyvon/Zimmerman case, the GOP's rape insurance BS, or the other hot button events that rock Twitter from time to time. I just don't. I usually state my point of view and move onto snarking at the ridiculous housewives, cracking my Fiona Barnsworth, Hooker To The Stars jokes. I prefer my activism to be in real life, where I can and do make a difference.
I had some lively debates with a few followers. I stated while I support Mr. Roberstons' right to espouse his views about homosexuality, the Bible and of racial relations during the Jim Crow years, I found his remarks highly offensive and very ignorant. Not to mention his very flawed remarks about what is in the Bible. I also stated I thought his suspension from A&E's show appropriate. Every action has a reaction.
I consider myself to be enlightened. I support any speech. Whether I like it or not. I also support my right to respond and espouse my views. In my America, I also have the right to support companies I find fall in line with my social and political views. This seems to be a different America where Mr. Robertson's supporters are. They are shocked and angered Mr. Robertson was suspended from the show. Really?
After dinner, I logged into Twitter and started to see the second wave of nonsense in regards to Mr. Robertson. By this point my tolerance of the stupid one sided behavior of some had ebbed. I kept hearing things like, "but he lost his job," "he was quoting the bible," "its his right." I mean really? Are you kidding me? Don't get it twisted people. The Constitutionally protected right of Free Speech which everyone is thumping for Mr. Robertson is not extended to others who wish to react to his intolerant, ignorant and flawed remarks? Really? I find those who always make the claim to free speech are usually those who wish to deny it to those who they don't agree with.
This is a problem for me. Lets set the record straight (pun fully intended) shall we. Mr. Robertson attended Louisiana Tech college. He started a very successful business long before the show. This family is not living off of hunting in the friggin swamp people. In fact, they didn't even look like how they appear on the show with those silly beards and fatigues they sport prior to the show. It was a carefully contrived, well thought out and planned manipulation of the viewing public. Many bought into that manipulation and I laughed. It became very evident and clear many were basing their reaction to this drama on the fact they believed Mr. Robertson and his family were poor, white trash (his term, not mine) folks living in a double wide depending on the show and their hunting to survive. Idiots.
The fact this white, college educated, wealthy, "G-dly" man would by innuendo equate homosexuality with bestiality, claim that blacks were happy before the civil rights movement and he never had a black person come up to him and tell him they were unhappy with white people is typical. Typical of a person who is intolerant. He went on to quote the Bible which many were telling me was his right. Lets discuss this shall we? I don't know what Bible this asshole is reading but his remarks are not from any Christian or Jewish Bibles I have ever read. He claimed prior to the Great Flood of Noah, everyone and everything was vegetarian and after the flood G-d made the animals wild and everyone became meat eaters. I publicly dare this man to find that in any main-line Christian or Jewish Bible. Dare him. I have never heard such rubbish.
The fact no black ever came up to him and complained about how they were treated by white folks, in the south, during Jim Crow years, and help me out here Black readers, was simply because he was a white man! What Black person, in the 1950's south, deep south, would've walked up to a white man and said, "ya know, we Blacks don't like the way Whitey is treating us!" Really? Buy the fucking clue you asshole. The Black person stupid enough to make a remark like that, during the Jim Crow years probably would have become Tree Fruit. For those of you not from the south, Tree Fruit is, was an expression to politely describe a Black person hanging from a tree. So really, in an environment of such horrific violence against people based solely on their skin color, Mr. Robertson thinks Blacks were happy? What a moron.
I was gobsmacked when some of followers on Twitter started to get pissy with me over what I thought was an easy, slam dunk issue. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I have yet to see any person of color, gay, lesbian orientation come out in support of this man. I have seen a bunch of middle aged, white, straight women tell me it was this assholes right to bash me as a gay man and tell me about race relations from the white man's perspective. Shocked, angered and ultimately educated.
For the record, just because this man had the right to say such ugly, hurtful and offensive remarks doesn't mean he should have. This issue, for me, has become a defining one. You either find this man's remarks intolerable or you don't. I am not getting into any esoteric discussion on the nuances of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. I am a para-legal and consider myself a "Constitutionalist." He can say whatever he would like and so can I. I can also get others who are like minded and force a network to remove his narrow minded, self-serving, bigoted, homo-phobic ass from TV. Yeah people, that is how it works in these United States of America.
I am tired of some fucking straight, white person telling me, when, where and how I can be offended. Tell me how a white, straight person can even understand the struggle for basic human rights of the gays and blacks? How? Go sit in your comfortable little world straight/white people. This is an area you have no clue about and never will. I, I don't even begin to say I understand how it is for a black person, but I can say I find their experience horrifying.
I really think the comments from some of the people I interacted with on Twitter where for me, more offensive than Mr. Robertson's remarks. The fact they would tweet to me about some assholes right to say things I am telling them offended me made my blood run cold. It shows just how much farther we have to go to get equal rights and protection under the law in this country for Gays and Blacks. So much more education is needed.
I think many were pissed when I challenged them about their stance. As a GAY, JEWISH man I will no longer beg for acceptance. I will not ask nicely to be treated with respect and common human dignity. I DEMAND it. I believe it was my asserting my rights which pissed these people off and ultimately lead them to unfollow and say very offensive and ugly things to me. The line has been drawn. The argument clearly defined. Mr. Robertson has the right to his views. He has the right to espouse those views. I, as a fellow American, by right of birth, also enjoy those rights. If you do not like, as a direct result of his own actions, than I and many, many others decided to exercise our rights to not like, condone and endorse his views, then your unAmerican and most assuredly someone I don't wish to interact with.
For those who felt the need to unfollow me, I wish you well. Toddle off into your bubble of white intolerance. I am happy to have you off of my TL on Twitter. Your false support of the Gay community and of civil rights for Blacks will not be missed. You missed your opportunity to stand up and say no to intolerance and instead tried to muddy the waters with some weak claim about Mr. Robertson's right to espouse hate and intolerance. That was never in question. The question was did you find his remarks hateful. Duck, Duck Goose, the egg of intolerance has been laid and its rotten.
Especially those who
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Shame, Shame, Shame On Bravo And Reza Farahan
Reza Farahan. What can one say about this man which would be positive? I normally try to find at least something redeeming about a person. Yet with Reza, I struggle and so far have been unsuccessful in that endeavor. I felt compelled by my conscious to sit down and write a blog. I am not crazy enough to think this blog will change anything with the exception of getting out my feelings and hopefully find a few other like minded people who feel the same.
Last season we saw Reza speaking on behalf of the gay community. The fact his opinions are ignorant, intolerant and full of self loathing seems to escape Reza. What really gets me worked up is Reza's ego. The head may be empty but his ego is chock full. When he said monogamy isn't something gays really believe in, I went nuts. It smacked of self-loathing feelings and I even wrote a blog about it. This season, the ass we call Reza has taken his egocentric, self-loathing, intolerant behaviors to a whole different level.
This season we see Reza trying to fix his fucked up image. Moving in with a man, whom just last season he confessed to cheating on. This season we see Reza keeping his mouth shut more often than opening it, which would be a good thing but somehow he cannot even manage that simple task. When Sasha, another gay, Iranian man is invited over to Reza's and Adam's apartment we see the Reza I always knew was there, lurking underneath his greasy, overstuffed appearance.
Lets be upfront and honest. Sasha is very flamboyant and effeminate. My question is so? Who cares how another person acts, right? Well, its simple. When you hate yourself to the point of loathing, like Reza, anyone around you who attracts attention, especially supposed, negative attention, they are reviled. Hence the reaction Reza gives. He talks about dignity because Sasha is Persian, which unto itself shows just how deep and on so many levels Reza hates himself. There hasn't been a Persia since the 1500's. Really? Iran Reza, you come from Iran, which means your Iranian. While there is a stigma for anyone who comes from the middle east, once again, we see Reza be ashamed of his birth place. I personally could care less if a person comes from Iran, Syria or Russia. Treat me right and we can be friends. Reza's stance with Sasha is that Sasha doesn't act in a dignified way and shows Persian's in an unflattering light. Was it not last season where Reza was running around on his boyfriend and talks at length about "sniffing the armpits of twinks?" Really Reza? So sniffing the armpits of barely legal young men is dignified but acting effeminate isn't? Is that your issue?
What Reza should have said is, "your flamboyant behavior makes me uncomfortable because I believe being gay is wrong and so I hate myself and you." That is what he should have said, if he were to come anywhere close to being honest. Instead we see the foot on the couch used as subterfuge. When Sasha dares to defy Reza and stand his ground and call him out on his behavior we see Reza shift from anger into hatred.
When Reza used the derogatory term FOB (Fresh Off the Boat) it was very telling, for me at least. It smacks of elitism, condescension and racial/ethnic superiority. We see blacks in this country do it. Based on skin color, lighter colored blacks are "less black" than darker complected blacks. Jews do it based on level of religious observance. Needless to say, I got it. I got where Reza was going with that comment. Its a term that is offensive and designed to do nothing other than insult and degrade another. No surprise it came out of Reza's mouth not once but at least half a dozen times.
Next we see Reza at a club. Which he thinks is beneath him. His elitism knows no bounds. While at the club, Reza see's Sasha. Sasha is happily having a good time with friends. This just sets Reza on point. He is pissed because Sasha isn't trapped in the closet being beaten down with self inflicted self hatred like he is. Simple. Sasha acts, speaks, moves in ways Reza has either been taught or interpreted as being "un-manly" and therefore, bad, wrong.
A verbal altercation ensues. What new depth of intolerance and ugly can Reza use to hurt this man? Why call Sasha's brother a "Faggot" is where Reza decides to go. Everyone, and I mean everyone present was shocked. I could say Bravo was good and blanked out the subtitle, but really? We all didn't hear the word? Shame on you Bravo. Shame.
I could go into all the subtleties of self-loathing, sexual orientation and even the nature versus nurture which would shed some light on the why's of what Reza does, but I don't care. This man has been in this country long enough, has enough education and travels in a circle tolerant enough to know better. The word faggot uttered from a man who has given interviews to such media outlets as the Huffington Post saying he joined the cast of Shahs to portray gays in a positive light and to educate, infuriates me. I don't know who the hell this man thinks he is but for two seasons now he has done nothing but offend, degrade and act in ways which confirm what is already believed by those who think homosexuality is wrong.
Another question begs to be asked. Where the hell are the gay organizations on this issue. Let a heterosexual utter the word Faggot and GLAD and other organizations would be all over someone. So if a gay man uses it, it is therefore okay? I don't get it. The fact a gay man said it, Andy Cohen/Bravo (who is openly gay on a network known to be gay friendly) have said nothing leaves me cold.
The gay community will jump on a private organization, like the Boy Scouts of America, for simply not wanting homosexuals in their organization but Reza can run around on a national, world wide platform uttering offensive, degrading and orientation slurs and its a okay? To me that would be defined as HYPOCRISY in its most purest form.
I believe Reza should not come back next season. I think those organizations such as GLAD (Gay Lesbian Anti-defamation League) should be holding Reza, Bravo accountable for what is aired on Bravo. Advertisers should be written, demanding changes and accountability by Bravo or withdrawing their sponsorship of the show and Bravo if changes are not made. I believe all my fellow gay brothers and lesbian sisters should be outraged and demanding changes. I realize Andy, I am a media whore, Cohen loves to shock people with outrageous behavior but Reza and his behavior is not shocking its offensive. A huge difference and for me, intolerable.
Someone must have whispered something into the chunky ass we call Reza because he is seated in front of a therapist and has several well scripted conversations with other cast mates about his "battling the pain" he has had to endure being gay and Persian. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. This is nothing other than damage/spin control. Again, another huge let down and my level of disgust has reached the point where my gag reflex is kicking in.
Being provocative is one thing, pushing the envelope is another, but to use ugly, offensive and insensitive material on shows to garner ratings is pandering at a level which opens the door to allowing other offensive remarks to be used again other communities. Whats next for Bravo? Kenya calling Porscha a nigger? I bet a million dollars that would never fly, but who knows lately with Bravo?
Last season we saw Reza speaking on behalf of the gay community. The fact his opinions are ignorant, intolerant and full of self loathing seems to escape Reza. What really gets me worked up is Reza's ego. The head may be empty but his ego is chock full. When he said monogamy isn't something gays really believe in, I went nuts. It smacked of self-loathing feelings and I even wrote a blog about it. This season, the ass we call Reza has taken his egocentric, self-loathing, intolerant behaviors to a whole different level.
This season we see Reza trying to fix his fucked up image. Moving in with a man, whom just last season he confessed to cheating on. This season we see Reza keeping his mouth shut more often than opening it, which would be a good thing but somehow he cannot even manage that simple task. When Sasha, another gay, Iranian man is invited over to Reza's and Adam's apartment we see the Reza I always knew was there, lurking underneath his greasy, overstuffed appearance.
Lets be upfront and honest. Sasha is very flamboyant and effeminate. My question is so? Who cares how another person acts, right? Well, its simple. When you hate yourself to the point of loathing, like Reza, anyone around you who attracts attention, especially supposed, negative attention, they are reviled. Hence the reaction Reza gives. He talks about dignity because Sasha is Persian, which unto itself shows just how deep and on so many levels Reza hates himself. There hasn't been a Persia since the 1500's. Really? Iran Reza, you come from Iran, which means your Iranian. While there is a stigma for anyone who comes from the middle east, once again, we see Reza be ashamed of his birth place. I personally could care less if a person comes from Iran, Syria or Russia. Treat me right and we can be friends. Reza's stance with Sasha is that Sasha doesn't act in a dignified way and shows Persian's in an unflattering light. Was it not last season where Reza was running around on his boyfriend and talks at length about "sniffing the armpits of twinks?" Really Reza? So sniffing the armpits of barely legal young men is dignified but acting effeminate isn't? Is that your issue?
What Reza should have said is, "your flamboyant behavior makes me uncomfortable because I believe being gay is wrong and so I hate myself and you." That is what he should have said, if he were to come anywhere close to being honest. Instead we see the foot on the couch used as subterfuge. When Sasha dares to defy Reza and stand his ground and call him out on his behavior we see Reza shift from anger into hatred.
When Reza used the derogatory term FOB (Fresh Off the Boat) it was very telling, for me at least. It smacks of elitism, condescension and racial/ethnic superiority. We see blacks in this country do it. Based on skin color, lighter colored blacks are "less black" than darker complected blacks. Jews do it based on level of religious observance. Needless to say, I got it. I got where Reza was going with that comment. Its a term that is offensive and designed to do nothing other than insult and degrade another. No surprise it came out of Reza's mouth not once but at least half a dozen times.
Next we see Reza at a club. Which he thinks is beneath him. His elitism knows no bounds. While at the club, Reza see's Sasha. Sasha is happily having a good time with friends. This just sets Reza on point. He is pissed because Sasha isn't trapped in the closet being beaten down with self inflicted self hatred like he is. Simple. Sasha acts, speaks, moves in ways Reza has either been taught or interpreted as being "un-manly" and therefore, bad, wrong.
A verbal altercation ensues. What new depth of intolerance and ugly can Reza use to hurt this man? Why call Sasha's brother a "Faggot" is where Reza decides to go. Everyone, and I mean everyone present was shocked. I could say Bravo was good and blanked out the subtitle, but really? We all didn't hear the word? Shame on you Bravo. Shame.
I could go into all the subtleties of self-loathing, sexual orientation and even the nature versus nurture which would shed some light on the why's of what Reza does, but I don't care. This man has been in this country long enough, has enough education and travels in a circle tolerant enough to know better. The word faggot uttered from a man who has given interviews to such media outlets as the Huffington Post saying he joined the cast of Shahs to portray gays in a positive light and to educate, infuriates me. I don't know who the hell this man thinks he is but for two seasons now he has done nothing but offend, degrade and act in ways which confirm what is already believed by those who think homosexuality is wrong.
Another question begs to be asked. Where the hell are the gay organizations on this issue. Let a heterosexual utter the word Faggot and GLAD and other organizations would be all over someone. So if a gay man uses it, it is therefore okay? I don't get it. The fact a gay man said it, Andy Cohen/Bravo (who is openly gay on a network known to be gay friendly) have said nothing leaves me cold.
The gay community will jump on a private organization, like the Boy Scouts of America, for simply not wanting homosexuals in their organization but Reza can run around on a national, world wide platform uttering offensive, degrading and orientation slurs and its a okay? To me that would be defined as HYPOCRISY in its most purest form.
I believe Reza should not come back next season. I think those organizations such as GLAD (Gay Lesbian Anti-defamation League) should be holding Reza, Bravo accountable for what is aired on Bravo. Advertisers should be written, demanding changes and accountability by Bravo or withdrawing their sponsorship of the show and Bravo if changes are not made. I believe all my fellow gay brothers and lesbian sisters should be outraged and demanding changes. I realize Andy, I am a media whore, Cohen loves to shock people with outrageous behavior but Reza and his behavior is not shocking its offensive. A huge difference and for me, intolerable.
Someone must have whispered something into the chunky ass we call Reza because he is seated in front of a therapist and has several well scripted conversations with other cast mates about his "battling the pain" he has had to endure being gay and Persian. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. This is nothing other than damage/spin control. Again, another huge let down and my level of disgust has reached the point where my gag reflex is kicking in.
Being provocative is one thing, pushing the envelope is another, but to use ugly, offensive and insensitive material on shows to garner ratings is pandering at a level which opens the door to allowing other offensive remarks to be used again other communities. Whats next for Bravo? Kenya calling Porscha a nigger? I bet a million dollars that would never fly, but who knows lately with Bravo?
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