The Quack Heard Around The World

The Quack Heard Around The World

Yesterday my Facebook wall and Twitter feed exploded with the news that Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty had been suspended due to what he had said about both African Americans during Jim Crow as well as the comments about the Homosexual Community.  If you want to read the full article from GQ entitled, “What The Duck?” click here.  The initial posts and tweets were centered on free speech and the loss of such a freedom.  Many people that posted the link spoke of the unfairness that A&E showed toward Robertson for an article they would have likely known about.

Below are the main quotes that people are pointing toward for Robertson’s suspension.

On Homosexuality

“It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

On Jim Crow

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field…. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

On Why He Voted Romney In 2012

“If I’m lost at three o’clock in a major metropolitan area…I ask myself: Where would I rather be trying to walk with my wife and children? One of the guys who’s running for president is out of Chicago, Illinois, and the other one is from Salt Lake City, Utah. [Editor’s note: Romney is from Boston, not Salt Lake City.] Where would I rather be turned around at three o’clock in the morning? I opted for Salt Lake City. I think it would be safer.”

Free Speech And Cherry Picking

What many are saying is that Robertson’s freedom of speech is being violated.  However I would say that using the word violated may be pushing it.  He did get suspended from the show but if it wasn’t for the comments on homosexuality it would most likely have been for his comments on Jim Crow. It was also likely in his contract to not say those “type” of comments. If he signed that contract he agreed to the terms.

On a similar note I find it interesting how much slack the “good Christian folk” are cutting Robertson. If it would have been someone in a pastoral position saying, ““It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus.” he would be eaten alive by both the media and his congregation. His comments on Jim Crow are not much better or excusable.

If we as Christians are all equal and a pastor isn’t anymore important than a lay person why don’t we hold everyone to the same standard? Or do we give the good old boys from Louisiana a pass?

What It Boils Down Too
I think we all, those in the church community and those in the LGBT community, need to realize that free speech is a two way street. One group can’t declare superiority over the other regardless of ones belief.

We need to find away to live as if we were fighting siblings in the same house. We disagree but are still family.

We are all human and should be able to find away to get along. This doesn’t me we agree on everything. You may not like what I say or visa versa but either way I still respect you. We have different opinions and that’s not bad.

A Two Way Street
In the end this goes both ways. Equal respect should be shown. It’s fine to have an opinion, but don’t penalize someone because they disagree with you.

It’s funny how in a world of politically correctness no one really is.