First, let’s be clear that we aren’t intending to jump on a Hulk Hogan sex tape bandwagon, exploiting the WWE pro-wrestler’s humiliation.
Rather, it’s our intent to examine the ways in which there is an underlying issue about masculinity at play here.
The first thing I wonder is whether or not our suspicions about Hogan’s complicity in both the making of the video and it’s going public would be the same if he were a famous woman.
Second, assuming his innocence, to what degree are we shocked at Hogan’s humiliation, embarrassment and desire for justice in this case?
In an interview with Howard Stern yesterday, Hogan insisted that he was even embarrassed of the fact that the woman in the video was talking about how well-endowed he is… in detail. Stern said that he would be proud if a woman said that about him, and Hogan insisted that he is not, and that the whole thing is humiliating and terrible.
What do you think makes it hard for us to believe Hogan is completely innocent in this sex tape fiasco? Is it his fame, his personal history or his masculinity? Or a combination of the above?
Is there a way in which we believe that men should always be proud of their exploits, no matter how debauched, and constantly bragging about them?
Do people think Hogan is “less of a man” because of his shame over this incident?
