Naomi Fryers examines the real motives behind Gavin McInnes’s sexist trolling on Fox News when he tells women where they belong.
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May I have your attention, please?
For those who might have missed what all the fuss is about, on Thursday night increasingly controversial writer (and Co-Founder of Vice Media) Gavin McInnes, appeared on Fox News’s Hannity program. Throughout the broadcast he proceeded to use the soap box bestowed on him to espouse archaic views on gender roles including anti-feminist sentiments that “women should be home with the kids,” and that they are naturally “less ambitious than men.”
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Here enters a puffed up quasi-famous (now infamous) white guy who is willing and determined to set the world straight on all manner of issues.
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So let’s take a metaphorical stroll back to the dark ages, shall we? Here enters a puffed up quasi-famous (now infamous) white guy who is willing and determined to set the world straight on all manner of issues; from women’s place in the home, to ‘natural’ transphobia and the need for assimilation of non-white native American speakers. Yep, he’s got all that rhetoric covered.
Media have clearly taken note: if they’re looking for a man to troll and spread some outdated and hate-filled ideologies to create a public relations controversy—and a quick boost in ratings—then Gavin McInnes is the man for the job.
What remains unclear however, is whether McInnes actually believes the hatred he espouses or whether this is a way of him making a name for himself and setting up a career as some kind of ‘shock jock commentator.’ It’s the old, “Is he stupid or is he evil?” question. And if he does believe the crap he’s spouting, the question to the mainstream media is—why are you giving this unhinged man the air time and attention he so craves?
If he does believe the crap he’s spouting, the question to the mainstream media is—why are you giving this unhinged man the air time and attention he so craves?
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Any mainstream media outlets featuring McInnes’s commentary are almost certainly acting as an enabler to feed to his views of hatred and insecurity. The Fox News show, for example, was pre-recorded, so network executives had the option of pulling it. But controversy, so they say, is good for ratings. Furthermore, it’s highly likely they knew what they were getting when they invited McInnes for comment in the first place—a fight.
Some years ago, in an interview with the New York Press, McInnes stated, “I love being white and I think it’s something to be very proud of … I don’t want our culture diluted. We need to close the borders now and let everyone assimilate to a Western, white, English-speaking way of life.” He later claimed the interview was done as a prank. So, is he stupid, or is he evil—and brilliant when it comes to self-promotion?
These kinds of comments are by no means anomalies to McInnes who is no stranger to controversy. In 2013 he told The Huffington Post, “people would be happier if women would stop pretending to be men”, concluding that feminism “has made women less happy.” He explained that, “Women are feigning that toughness.” These are but a few of the examples that demonstrate his long and troubling history of offensive commentary.
Misogyny aside, McInnes has been reported to have sworn at an academic and laid claim to have been knocked out by a professional fighter and eaten a bowl of urine soaked Weetabix. Which begs the question, do McInnes’s erratic behaviour and hijinx constitute desperate, attention-seeking marketing ploys?
Or is it possible the man is unwell? Either way, his appearance is not a good reflection on Fox, which effectively spruiked his antics by giving him a platform and playing right into his hands. Though the news anchors appeared surprised and offended by his remarks on Hannity, producers of the show at the very least, should have foreseen—and perhaps engineered—the reaction.
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Our media has a responsibility to call out and counter prejudice and bias on both an individual and systemic level, not to give it equal time.
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History, including recent history, is often a great predictor of future behaviour, so no doubt McInnes will quickly move on to his next controversy or inflammatory remarks in no time flat. But whether or not the media allow themselves to be exploited and tarnished by his damaged brand remains to be seen. Regardless of how the media handles him, McInnes’s sentiments are deeply concerning. Sexism, racism, and homophobia (and let’s face it, he’s covered all his bases) have no place in a modern day civilised society, least of all sanctioned on a television station that deems itself ‘news worthy.’ Our media has a responsibility to call out and counter prejudice and bias on both an individual and systemic level, not to give it equal time.
If McInnes actually believes these ideologies, he’s running off the rails. If he doesn’t, his attempts to gain fame should be ignored. Which is perhaps an even greater reason he should be left alone to fight his demons (of which there appear to be many). It’s time for the media to stand up and say no more to McInnes and his ilk. Hateful reasoning is like a fire after all, and the more you oxygen you give it, the quicker it spreads.
Photo—Alessandro Valli/Flickr
This is true. It would be nice if women and their advocates understood that the same rule exists for men.