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An explosive debate about gender roles and equality is blowing up in the wake of Harrison Butker’s scandalous speech and demeaning jab at Taylor Swift. Over the weekend, Travis Kelce’s teammate Harrison addressed an audience of hopeful, young graduates ready to be indoctrinated into the professional workforce and society. During his speech, the Kansas City kicker all but encouraged the new graduates to discriminate on the basis of gender on the career front. He also strategically condemned Pride Month and abortion while throwing a stray at US President Joe Biden.
Harrison on Gender Roles and Post-College Life
However, Harrison Butker’s condescending jab at one of the world’s most powerful women, Taylor Swift, during his speech, is shedding light on the deep-seethed gender stereotypes. It also spotlights the ironic reality that the concept of equality remains wishful thinking even in a so-called progressive era.
Addressing the women at the Benedictine College, Kansas, Harrison went all out, dashing their dreams of someday becoming leaders in their respective fields. He explained how despite nursing hopes of numerous career prospects, opportunities and promotions, marriage and kids would remain the main priority for most of them.
He cited his wife, Isabelle Butker, who is seemingly content being a sit-home mom. Further driving home his point, Harrison noted that regardless of a woman’s achievements, becoming a “homemaker” remains “one of the most important titles of all.” Elsewhere in the controversial speech, Harrison Butker quoted the infamous lines from Taylor Swift’s song, Bejeweled, saying “Familiarity breeds contempt.”
Harrison Butker Under Fire Following Taylor Swift Quote
While the quote in itself made no direct reference to a woman’s worth, referring to the superstar simply as “His teammate’s girlfriend” had a condescending undertone. Taylor Swift’s fans were quick to point this out, fanning the flames of the havoc Harrison’s “misogynistic” speech had already provoked. One user sounded off on Reddit,
“It’s beyond cringe to use a commencement speech as an opportunity to spout politically charged hateful nonsense.”
Another buttressed,
“These women are graduating college and you’re telling them, in their graduation speech, that all they should aspire to do is be a homemaker. After quoting Taylor Swift. Who is a huge businesswoman, unmarried and would be appalled by that. Wild.”
A third agreed, adding,
“The actual transcript of what he said is 100x more insane than I imagined. He literally went to graduation and straight up told the women that their purpose should be to serve their husbands and have a baby.”
A fourth chipped in,
“He should tell his teammate’s billionaire gf that.”
Some Redditors looked beyond the demeaning implications of his words, focusing more on the societal impact. According to them, Harrison’s speech, reference to Taylor Swift, and his overall view of women reflected the thought process of millions across the globe. That in turn, goes to show how shallow the seeds of gender equality have been rooted despite decades spent nurturing it. One commenter wrote,
“Nothing wrong with being a homemaker. But, that being the only role a woman can take is stepping back 60 years.”
A second added,
“And yet this line of thinking is becoming more accepted not only in the U.S. but Western society in general.”
Another divulged,
“Equality feels like oppression to those accustomed to privilege.”
The Kansas City Kicker Echoes the Thoughts of Many “Privileged” Folks
It appears this stereotypic gender view is deep-rooted, especially in the world of sports. Barely two quarters have passed since Simone Bile’s husband Johnathan made a similarly condescending speech about the infamous gymnast, leading to comparisons with Taylor Swift and Travis’ relationship. Or think Serena Williams’ squabbles with ex-tennis champion and director Ion Tirac urging her to retire post-baby. The payment disparity is another glaring issue seemingly overlooked despite generations of women in sports rallying for a change to no avail.
Taking a step away from sports, there is also a payment disparity prevalent in Hollywood, with several promising films seeing premature hiatus just because a female lead demanded to earn as much as her male counterparts. Harrison Butker’s speech, however, took the bull by the horns, expressly downplaying a woman’s worth, relegating her to “homemaking duties.”
Such patriarchal statements make the quest for gender equality, inclusion, and diversity bootless. But even worse, it raises the question of whether society truly believes in the concept, or is simply driven by individuals using the theory as a vehicle to be recognized as “woke.”
