The national news, as well as social media, has obsessed the past few days of a story that, in the grand scheme of things, is a little thing. Unless you have been living under a rock or stuck in a coma, you undoubtedly know that Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has been under scrutiny for comments made to GQ regarding homosexuality. To be perfectly honest, I’m more surprised that people are shocked by Robertson’s comments than the fact that he said them. To quote late night TV show host Conan O’Brien, “I am shocked that an old bearded duck hunter who lives with his kinfolk in the Louisiana bayou did not have progressive views on gay people.” In the words of Arrested Development’s Michael Bluth, “I don’t know what I expected.”
In the days following Robertson’s faux pas, some have rallied around the bearded icon, while others have condemned the man who prides himself on his Christian morals and his hunting prowess. We could debate all day about this, but the short and simple answer is that none of it matters. One way or the other, the Duck Commander crew will return to television and continue to prosper, to the adulation of some and to the chagrin of others.
But at the end of the day, what power or influence does Robertson have over the country’s policies? None. Though his opinion may sway the ideology of some of the Duck Dynasty fan base, there is no way his thoughts will permeate the policy making of this country. This is why the case of Phil Robertson is a “little thing.”However, occasionally, there are “big things” from which we are distracted because of our fixation on the minute problems. People who have paid attention to international current events know that gay rights are being severely compromised in Russia right now as the country prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
According to the Pew Research Global Attitude Project, 74% of Russians polled believed that homosexuality is something society should not accept, a statistic that is supported by recent laws passed in Russia. It is now illegal for Russians to support gay rights either by verbally backing or hosting gay pride events, or even insinuate that homosexual relationships are akin to heterosexual relationships.Violation of these laws can result in a stiff fine and other punishments. In fact, businesses that publicly support gay rights can be forced to shut down for a maximum of ninety days, in addition to a fine of 1 million rubles, equivalent to more than $30,000 in the United States.
So, the question is, why do we blast Phil Robertson, a humble redneck with no political pull, while shying away from the much more severe offenses of Russia, an international superpower?
It is simpler to vilify Robertson because he is an easy target: a modern Jed Clampett who admits he is “a low-tech man in a high-tech world.” But Russia is a harder subject to admonish because of our history with the country. After decades on the brink of nuclear war, it might be a little easier to shy away from their shortcomings. Even some of the world’s most revered leaders have faltered when trying to negotiate such a situation. Simply put, it is easier to be a Drysdale than it is to be a Kennedy.
We don’t have the courage to take on a powerhouse like Russia when it comes to a social policy. People want to support gay rights and help the cause, but they are afraid to make that step to fight the “big things,” so they concern themselves with a “little thing” to feel like they are doing something. But as the saying goes, go big or go home. Have the courage to stand up and fight, as well as the global awareness to know what matters most.
And this begs the question, when a reality show star makes a controversial remark, is this a big thing, or a little thing?
