It’s called “shattering the illusion”. Β That moment when somebody says or does something that totally changes your opinion of them. Β It’s a special concern for celebrities, who spend a significant amount of their career carefully cultivating an image. Β But Wednesday might have been the breaking point for Duck Dynasty.
One of the good ole boys from A&E’s hit reality show really put his foot in it this time. Β And he’s paying for it. Β Phil Robertson did an interview with GQ Magazine (not exactly a conservative rag) with some non-camouflaged words about homosexuality.
“It seems like, to me,” he said, “a vagina would be more desirable than a man’s anus. Β Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there… they won’t inherit the Kingdom of God. Β Don’t deceive yourself.” Β As the content of the article spread, Phil released another statement saying, “I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me.” Β But added, “Men and women are meant to be together.”
That wasn’t enough for A&E, which suspended Robertson from the show. Β Still, some media observers have pointed out that his original statements may not offend much of his fanbase. Β But it certainly has angered gay-rights activists, who may have also enjoyed his show until this.
But it’s certainly not the first time a celebrity has opened his mouth to spit out a heaping helping of socio-political poo. Β Alec Baldwin comes to mind.
So when is enough enough? Β Our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, hit the streets to ask, “Should celebrities simply shut up and celeb?”
