Don't make jokes about celebrities being harmed

> They’re people deserving of respect

Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor

ecently, Kim Kardashian

was held up at gunpoint in a hotel in Paris by masked robbers. They stole over $11 million worth of jewellery from her while she was gagged, bound, and locked in the bathroom. Kim has been severely impacted by the event, with her husband Kanye West delaying parts of his concert tour to look after her.

Kim is an often hated-on celebrity. She is famous for being famous, shallow, and extremely rich. She’s at a much different level socially and economically than even many of her fellow A-list celebrities. She’s not my favourite famous person either—but I’m still deeply troubled and horrified when this kind of thing happens.

Kim initially thought she was going to be raped when the intruders entered. This is the worst fear and harshest reality for women everywhere. Kim was emotionally traumatized,

held hostage, and invaded in her private residence. It is a life-altering event for her and her loved ones. The personal circumstances of the victim or crime are unimportant here. Kim had $n million stolen from her, which is only a small fraction of her net worth. But money is irrelevant in this kind of situation.

Kim does not deserve any of what she is going through. It doesn’t matter how rich, famous, unsympathetic to mere mortals, or personally hated by you she is. Kim is a human being who was assaulted and traumatized by criminals. I (obviously) wouldn't wish what she’s going through on any of my loved ones, nor would I wish it on my worst enemy.

The jokes and quips made by generally awful people are part of a bigger problem. Too often, we devalue a celebrity’s humanity and worthby their image. Every time a beloved celebrity dies, I hear jokes that “God should have taken Justin Bieber/Kim Kardashian/a celebrity I dislike” instead. This

‘Not All Men’

> The problem with male feminism

Jessica Berget Contributor

n the midst of October and

with Halloween coming up I thought Id talk about the three things that scare me the most: Snakes, spiders, and male feminists.

As a woman anda self- entitled feminist killjoy, there are few things that irk me more than seeing a movement that advocates for women’s rights and freedoms being discussed by a cisgender, straight, white male, or any cisgender male for that matter. Male feminists should know that men have the power dynamic over women in any situation, because we live in an inherently misogynistic society. Even, sadly, in feminist communities. This means that opinions on feminism and how women handle their oppression are often taken more seriously coming from a man than a woman. Some male feminists

utilize the label to justify sexist behaviour, to impress women, or to use the attention of women as a seal of approval in the feminist community. Which brings me to my main point: Beware of male feminists.

It seems women can’t escape oppression even within their own movement. Men advocating for basic women’s rights are often seen as more remarkable than any woman who calls herselfa feminist, as any woman advocating for their own rights is

is wishing death on people. This is trivializing a tragic and serious issue. Nobody deserves to die, and no one deserves to feel afraid for their safety or boundaries. We don’t know these celebrities personally. We can have valid opinions on their personalities based on their actions, which are naturally highlighted due to their being public figures. However, I doubt the people who make these jokes would say them to Kim Kardashian’s face. | also doubt that they truly believe or realize the intent behind what they’re saying. Certainly, some people are literally The Worst and really are that awful towards other human beings. But mostly, it’s failing to examine what we really stand for and believe about others. Take accountability for your words. Understand the true intent of what you wish on your fellow human beings. Have compassion when horrible things happen to others, even if they’re people you don’t respect or care for. Everyone deserves sympathy and support after a serious event.

not seen as unusual or significant by virtue of their gender. Across all social movements, the issue at hand is often not viewed as valid until it is supported by members of the “other side.” Men speaking on feminism would

be like me, a white woman, speaking on the Black Lives Matter movement. I support it, but it is not my place to speak on the experiences of black men and women living in an inherently racist and Eurocentric society.

I recognize my privilege as a

(¥ Tragic events show the problem with Creep Catchers

(¥ Why you should watch more movies

(¥ Why ‘Any questions?’ isn't the question teachers

should be asking And more!

Image via thinkstock

white woman and IJ understand that my opinion may be more highly regarded on the matter, therefore I do not speak for it. So why can’t male feminists do the same? Calling yourselfa feminist does not mean the work is done. I myselfam constantly re- educating, and re-evaluating my place in the feminist community and recognizing my place and privilege in it as a white woman. Similarly to how men advocating for women’s rights gives more attention to the

Image via wikimedia

movement, women who dismiss or belittle feminism can be used to justify the sexist beliefs of others. Many men only respect the views of women when they are passive and non-controversial, or when they support their sexist ideals. They don’t respect when these views challenge them on their behaviour. Most men only respect and agree with the arguments of another man, as the opposing opinion of a woman is seen to hold less value. She is always presumed to know less about the subject, even when it is directly relevant to her experiences.

So women, heed thy warning. Beware men who tell you what it means to bea feminist. Beware men who read this article and insist that “not all men are like that.” Beware men who think they know more about feminism than you do. A man is never more potentially dangerous than when he claims to be a feminist.