Look, I am about to get o my soapbox. I will not apologize nor feel shame for it. I will likely come across as high-minded and judgmental. I probably will piss some people off (especially the alpha male types). I do not really care.
The way too many people in this country react to domestic violence and its victims is abhorrent.
It is said slavery is America's original sin and racism her greatest shame. Both are irrefutably true. But, it should also be said sexism misogyny are among America's most enduring ignominies.
Last week the Kansas City Chiefs released second year running back, Kareem Hunt. TMZ obtained and subsequently released a video detailing Hunt pushing a woman to the ground and then kicking her while she lay on the ground.
The incident occurred outside Hunt's hotel room in Cleveland. According to Hunt and a witness the woman, who is 19, had been outside the hotel room causing a scene for approximately 30 minutes. The witness said she was told to leave the room after she called him a "nigger".
Now, the woman says she was a guest of Hunt's but unbeknownst to her was invited to his room to "entertain" him and his friends. After she refused to be what she implied was a sex toy she left.
That is when the incident of Hunt assaulting her took place.
The video clearly shows Hunt pushing the woman away from him and then pushing her down. Once she fell he proceeded to kick her in the side.
Now, I can't say if the woman called Hunt or his friend a "nigger". The video had no audio. I am not certain what happened in the hotel room prior to what was captured on video. I can take some guesses. Hunt has a history of violent reactions and altercations which occurred before and after this particular incident in Cleveland. But, it really doesn't matter, does it?!
He should not have placed his hands on her let alone kicked her! Period!
However, some of the reaction to this has said otherwise.
Before I go off about the usual domestic abuse/rape culture/misogyny apologists that always appear to lament the "mistreatment" of men and the "treacherous tramps always out to bring a brotha down" allow me to address the NFL, Cleveland Police Department and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Supposedly, the Cleveland P.D. looked into the matter. It was sparsely reported in the media.
According to the Cleveland P.D. a report was given to the NFL and the Chiefs. However, the Chiefs nor the league did anything. Hunt received no reprimand nor punishment.
Now, the Chiefs nor the NFL said they were aware of a tape. The Cleveland P.D. is also claiming they were unaware of a video tape. Forgive me if I have some doubt about that.
But, once TMZ obtained the video, both the NFL and Chiefs acted swiftly. The NFL placed Hunt on the non-injured inactive list. The Chiefs just released him. What neither mentioned was they were fully aware of all the details of the incident.
So, the question is why did this matter go un-adjudicated? Why did it take a public release of a video showing Hunt's heinous actions for him to be properly punished? Did the Chiefs or the NFL have knowledge about the video? If so, why did TMZ obtain a copy but they didn't? Or did they?
Let us not forget the NFL has a checkered past when it comes to this sort of thing. Remember, Ray Rice? Greg Hardy? Hell, Reuben Foster had just been signed by the Washington Redskins the day before the Hunt video was released. He was cut by the San Francisco 49ers four days before because of a domestic abuse accusation, which was his second such accusation this calendar year.
It appears Hunt's domestic abuse was swept under the rug. It also appears, once again, the NFL isn't necessarily too concerned with having domestic abusers on their rosters. Now, a socially conscious guy protesting racial injustice? Not so much. Dudes who slap and kick women? If they are talented and still productive, sure!
As repulsive as the NFL's attitude toward domestic abuse seems, many in the general public is worse and leads to the condoning nonchalant attitude the National Football League has.
I expected to see near universal condemnation of Hunt and his actions. (I, honestly, don't know why. Misguided optimism, I guess) But, what I heard and read instead was an apology tour for Hunt, trashing of the victim and questions about whether Hunt would play again without any qualifiers about him apologizing and seeking the help he so obviously needs.
Sure, the usual social justice warriors and defenders of decency were speaking out. However, a lot of what I saw was blame being placed on the Kansas City Chiefs. And, yes, they deserve a huge share of blame but it was Hunt who perpetrated the crime.
I then saw the victim being blamed. Boy, we love to victim blame in this country don't we. Anyway, the conspiracy theories were flying fast and furious. "Hunt was set up by her to bring a rich black athlete down."
"That white girl was a tool of white supremacy to entrap him." 😐
Seriously, this is the utter bullshit I read online. I mean we'll just effin ignore all his other incidents. We'll just ignore how this happened damn near a year ago appeared to be actively swept under the rug. Oh, and we'll just ignore the fact he couldn't have been taped kicking a woman if....oh, I don't know...he hadn't FUCKING KICKED HER!
Of course, the allegation she called Hunt and/or his buddy a "nigger" was repeatedly cited.
I am certainly not defending her about that if she said it. But, I have some doubt regarding that accusation. It allegedly happened in the hotel room, which led to her expulsion from the room, right? Apparently, she was outside the room for a minute causing a disturbance. If being called a nigger is what incited Hunt, why the delayed reaction? Why not call the police? It doesn't add up.
Regardless, Hunt shouldn't have touched her.
It is really simple, fellas. Do not put your hands on a woman! Do not slap her, punch her or kick her! Ever! Don't do it!
No man should place his hands on a woman!
But, the innate response of many people when a domestic violence incident is reported isn't to say the above. It is to make excuses and blame the victim.
It is astonishing how congenitally people will just blame the victim of domestic abuse or sexual assault. "What did she do to make him do that? Did she say something? Why would he do that unless provoked?"
Even worse is the intrinsic response to "protect" the abuser and frame them as the victim. "Why would she accuse him of that? She's going to ruin his career-his life. She shouldn't have even been there. She attacked him. She knew why she was in that hotel room. She teased him and his boys, then bolted because she got cold feet. Now, because she's a dick tease and doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut she's ruined this guy's promising career. Poor guy will probably never play ball again."
This insidious insolent bullshit is spewed every single time an act of violence against women is perpetrated or accused. Especially, if the alleged abuser is famous or politically relevant.
It is sick! Perverted.
Anyone who doesn't believe misogyny is pervasive and persistent in the United States either is pathetically naive, apart of the patriarchy or benefits from the patriarchy.
And, don't roll your fucking eyes, because you know it's empirically true!
We always here the condemnations of the violence against women. Some of them are sincere while some are cursory and feigned. They are cloaked in the appropriate language but are really just apology tour statements, vapid justifications for misogyny and sexism.
And, some folks just put it out there. They don't really hide their disdain and contempt for women. Just because they wouldn't want such horrible incidents to befall their mothers or sisters doesn't mean they give a shit about every other woman, which often includes their own wife or girlfriend.
Also, I would be woefully remised if I didn't mention their are women who participate in this misogyny too. Just because someone belongs to the victim group or the disenfranchised it doesn't mean they actively participate in the oppressive actions and words.
I saw some women low-key defending Kareem Hunt also.
Some day, I hope, we get to the point in this country where a clear case of domestic violence can be widely repudiate and condemned without qualifications. I hope that saying we respect women isn't just some empty platitude but actual tangible evidentiary reality.
Women are and always have been the backbone of our society. Would it not be wonderful if they were no longer subjected to malignant misogyny? Would it not be terrific, if unfortunately they are raped or abused, that the innate response is not to blame, trash and minimize theme essentially traumatizing them a second time but to embrace, empathize and demand and seek justice for them?
Would it not be great if we actually begin holding every single man accountable who abuses or assaults any woman?
I think it would be fucking splendid! I also think it's a disgrace I even have to ask these questions in 2018!
The way too many people in this country react to domestic violence and its victims is abhorrent.
It is said slavery is America's original sin and racism her greatest shame. Both are irrefutably true. But, it should also be said sexism misogyny are among America's most enduring ignominies.
Last week the Kansas City Chiefs released second year running back, Kareem Hunt. TMZ obtained and subsequently released a video detailing Hunt pushing a woman to the ground and then kicking her while she lay on the ground.
The incident occurred outside Hunt's hotel room in Cleveland. According to Hunt and a witness the woman, who is 19, had been outside the hotel room causing a scene for approximately 30 minutes. The witness said she was told to leave the room after she called him a "nigger".
Now, the woman says she was a guest of Hunt's but unbeknownst to her was invited to his room to "entertain" him and his friends. After she refused to be what she implied was a sex toy she left.
That is when the incident of Hunt assaulting her took place.
The video clearly shows Hunt pushing the woman away from him and then pushing her down. Once she fell he proceeded to kick her in the side.
Now, I can't say if the woman called Hunt or his friend a "nigger". The video had no audio. I am not certain what happened in the hotel room prior to what was captured on video. I can take some guesses. Hunt has a history of violent reactions and altercations which occurred before and after this particular incident in Cleveland. But, it really doesn't matter, does it?!
He should not have placed his hands on her let alone kicked her! Period!
However, some of the reaction to this has said otherwise.
Before I go off about the usual domestic abuse/rape culture/misogyny apologists that always appear to lament the "mistreatment" of men and the "treacherous tramps always out to bring a brotha down" allow me to address the NFL, Cleveland Police Department and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Supposedly, the Cleveland P.D. looked into the matter. It was sparsely reported in the media.
According to the Cleveland P.D. a report was given to the NFL and the Chiefs. However, the Chiefs nor the league did anything. Hunt received no reprimand nor punishment.
Now, the Chiefs nor the NFL said they were aware of a tape. The Cleveland P.D. is also claiming they were unaware of a video tape. Forgive me if I have some doubt about that.
But, once TMZ obtained the video, both the NFL and Chiefs acted swiftly. The NFL placed Hunt on the non-injured inactive list. The Chiefs just released him. What neither mentioned was they were fully aware of all the details of the incident.
So, the question is why did this matter go un-adjudicated? Why did it take a public release of a video showing Hunt's heinous actions for him to be properly punished? Did the Chiefs or the NFL have knowledge about the video? If so, why did TMZ obtain a copy but they didn't? Or did they?
Let us not forget the NFL has a checkered past when it comes to this sort of thing. Remember, Ray Rice? Greg Hardy? Hell, Reuben Foster had just been signed by the Washington Redskins the day before the Hunt video was released. He was cut by the San Francisco 49ers four days before because of a domestic abuse accusation, which was his second such accusation this calendar year.
It appears Hunt's domestic abuse was swept under the rug. It also appears, once again, the NFL isn't necessarily too concerned with having domestic abusers on their rosters. Now, a socially conscious guy protesting racial injustice? Not so much. Dudes who slap and kick women? If they are talented and still productive, sure!
As repulsive as the NFL's attitude toward domestic abuse seems, many in the general public is worse and leads to the condoning nonchalant attitude the National Football League has.
I expected to see near universal condemnation of Hunt and his actions. (I, honestly, don't know why. Misguided optimism, I guess) But, what I heard and read instead was an apology tour for Hunt, trashing of the victim and questions about whether Hunt would play again without any qualifiers about him apologizing and seeking the help he so obviously needs.
Sure, the usual social justice warriors and defenders of decency were speaking out. However, a lot of what I saw was blame being placed on the Kansas City Chiefs. And, yes, they deserve a huge share of blame but it was Hunt who perpetrated the crime.
I then saw the victim being blamed. Boy, we love to victim blame in this country don't we. Anyway, the conspiracy theories were flying fast and furious. "Hunt was set up by her to bring a rich black athlete down."
"That white girl was a tool of white supremacy to entrap him." 😐
Seriously, this is the utter bullshit I read online. I mean we'll just effin ignore all his other incidents. We'll just ignore how this happened damn near a year ago appeared to be actively swept under the rug. Oh, and we'll just ignore the fact he couldn't have been taped kicking a woman if....oh, I don't know...he hadn't FUCKING KICKED HER!
Of course, the allegation she called Hunt and/or his buddy a "nigger" was repeatedly cited.
I am certainly not defending her about that if she said it. But, I have some doubt regarding that accusation. It allegedly happened in the hotel room, which led to her expulsion from the room, right? Apparently, she was outside the room for a minute causing a disturbance. If being called a nigger is what incited Hunt, why the delayed reaction? Why not call the police? It doesn't add up.
Regardless, Hunt shouldn't have touched her.
It is really simple, fellas. Do not put your hands on a woman! Do not slap her, punch her or kick her! Ever! Don't do it!
No man should place his hands on a woman!
But, the innate response of many people when a domestic violence incident is reported isn't to say the above. It is to make excuses and blame the victim.
It is astonishing how congenitally people will just blame the victim of domestic abuse or sexual assault. "What did she do to make him do that? Did she say something? Why would he do that unless provoked?"
Even worse is the intrinsic response to "protect" the abuser and frame them as the victim. "Why would she accuse him of that? She's going to ruin his career-his life. She shouldn't have even been there. She attacked him. She knew why she was in that hotel room. She teased him and his boys, then bolted because she got cold feet. Now, because she's a dick tease and doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut she's ruined this guy's promising career. Poor guy will probably never play ball again."
This insidious insolent bullshit is spewed every single time an act of violence against women is perpetrated or accused. Especially, if the alleged abuser is famous or politically relevant.
It is sick! Perverted.
Anyone who doesn't believe misogyny is pervasive and persistent in the United States either is pathetically naive, apart of the patriarchy or benefits from the patriarchy.
And, don't roll your fucking eyes, because you know it's empirically true!
We always here the condemnations of the violence against women. Some of them are sincere while some are cursory and feigned. They are cloaked in the appropriate language but are really just apology tour statements, vapid justifications for misogyny and sexism.
And, some folks just put it out there. They don't really hide their disdain and contempt for women. Just because they wouldn't want such horrible incidents to befall their mothers or sisters doesn't mean they give a shit about every other woman, which often includes their own wife or girlfriend.
Also, I would be woefully remised if I didn't mention their are women who participate in this misogyny too. Just because someone belongs to the victim group or the disenfranchised it doesn't mean they actively participate in the oppressive actions and words.
I saw some women low-key defending Kareem Hunt also.
Some day, I hope, we get to the point in this country where a clear case of domestic violence can be widely repudiate and condemned without qualifications. I hope that saying we respect women isn't just some empty platitude but actual tangible evidentiary reality.
Women are and always have been the backbone of our society. Would it not be wonderful if they were no longer subjected to malignant misogyny? Would it not be terrific, if unfortunately they are raped or abused, that the innate response is not to blame, trash and minimize theme essentially traumatizing them a second time but to embrace, empathize and demand and seek justice for them?
Would it not be great if we actually begin holding every single man accountable who abuses or assaults any woman?
I think it would be fucking splendid! I also think it's a disgrace I even have to ask these questions in 2018!
