Posts Tagged ‘Perez Hilton’

This isn’t personal…just principled.

Mo’Kelly is calling you out Perez Hilton, are you in or are you out?  No pun

Perez Hilton

intended.

Back in 2009, Mo’Kelly received an email from celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, mocking two of my commentaries regarding him and the Carrie Prejean/Miss USA Pageant controversy in 2009. At that point, Hilton seemed unaffected by his role in the perception of the Gay Rights movement or the perception of his work more broadly. It was a seeming contradiction given his outspoken stances, to blithely and blindly proceed without conscience to his impact on issues he championed.

Perez Hilton Isn’t Ready for Gay Marriage in America

Perez Hilton Created Ant-Gay Star Carrie Prejean

But we’ll come back to that in a moment.

Remember when the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga dominated the news? Hilton’s stance was clear.

From his website…

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Chris Brown Apologizes – FINALLY!

Too little, too late!

Chris Brown has just released a statement, owning up to his actions in February and apologizing for severely beating then-girlfriend Rihanna.

You know what this smells like???

Like shit!!!!!

After you watch his apology (above), it’ll be clear to anyone with half a brain that he’s just trying to salvage what little he has left of a career.

Lame. Lame. Lame.

http://perezhilton.com/2009-07-20-chris-brown-apologizes-finally

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Then…remember when Michael Jackson passed away unexpectedly and the poorly conceived tweet by Chris Brown’s momma?

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Chris Brown’s Mom Apologized For Tweet!

That family has issues!

After Tweeting the phrase “Michael Jackson died so that Chris Brown could live!!!” Chris Brown‘s mother, Joyce Hawkins, got a lot of shiz in response.

And we completely understand why! So, she finally decided to apologize for the crazy ass comment.

Hawkins said:

“I’m so sorry that the tweet I sent yesterday was misunderstood. What I meant to say is that Chris has always been inspired by Michael Jackson’s music and his career. I’m sorry I offended anyone. The statement meant Chris would carry on Michaels [sic] legacy.”

Oh geez! Let’s not get carried away.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-09-10-chris-browns-mom-apologized-for-tweet

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Perez Hilton’s record is clear and unmistakable as it relates to homophobia generally, domestic violence and Twitter foolishness specifically. His history of criticizing any and all things Chris Brown has also been well-documented.

But wait, there’s more.

The bad blood between Brown and Hilton eventually made its way to Twitter back in March of last year.

Then something changed…

Many Hilton supporters would point to his appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in October of 2010 where Hilton pledged to be “nicer” in the wake of a spate of teen suicides linked to gay bullying as the turning point. Hilton argued that he was going to both change the tone of his website and work towards becoming the solution.

Over the last week and a half two weeks I’ve been doing everything I can to bring awareness to the issue of teen suicides and gay bullying. And in doing so, a lot of people have called me a hypocrite, and a bully myself and a big one. And that’s not how I want to be perceived and that’s not what I want to put out there to the world. And it was a big wake up call that so many people saw me that way.

So from now on I really want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem and I want to be the change that I want to see in others, so I’m going to do things differently on my website, than I have in the past. I’m not going to call people nasty nicknames, I’m not going to go the mean route. I’m going to force myself to be funnier or smarter or just do things differently. Not doodle inappropriate things and not out people.”

Perez Hilton is definitely a hypocrite and here are the reasons why.

Hilton had absolutely NO commentary (nice or otherwise) to offer on the latest Twitter transgression and apology of Chris Brown. Although Hilton noted the incident on his site, he left it up to his readers to decide as to its importance.

Really Perez? Gay bullying? You can comment on the strength of Brown’s latest CD on your site, but no comment on homophobic rant by the same artist?

http://perezhilton.com/2010-12-29-chris-brown-goes-homophobic-on-his-twitter-page

Really Perez? Gay bullying? Advocacy blogging? Becoming part of the solution?

Mo’Kelly didn’t know that social justice commentary ever went on holiday break like the American public school system.

Given Perez Hilton’s frequent and public stances against all artists and behavior even remotely homophobic in nature, it was beyond odd. His documented history in regards to Chris Brown makes it doubly odd.

Mo’Kelly gets it…Hilton wants to be “NICE,” but a “nice” website and inconsistency in message are two different things. Hilton must be consistent in his message irrespective of methodology, or needs to remove himself from the advocacy blogging business altogether. He can call himself “Perez Hilton, the Diet TMZ” but refrain from any other social justice commentary in the future. If Hilton can not or will not address the larger and obvious issues which set the tone and frame the homophobia debate; then it’s absolute hypocrisy to do so at any later date or presently claim to be a social justice advocate.

And why is the social justice advocate for African-American issues the one having to make this clear for the Gay Rights advocate (SMH)?!

Mo’Kelly is calling you out Perez Hilton, are you in or are you out?

If Hilton is to be part of the “solution” for the GLBT community then abject silence on the obvious displays of homophobic behavior does a disservice to any and all issues related to Gay rights. Straddling the line hurts his supposed cause.

For all the many comparisons between Gay rights and the modern Civil Rights Movement of the 20^th century, silence was never an option in the Civil Rights Movement. And in part, this is why Mo’Kelly doesn’t like the comparisons in the first place. Once again, it’s the luxury of “choice” which most clearly delineates the two. Not the argument that homosexuality supposedly is a “choice” but the choice to either fight or not involve oneself in the fight or live openly as a member of the community.

Hilton would do well to continue to avoid going the “mean” route but it is hypocrisy to then have nothing to say (nicely or otherwise) on the issues and incidents which most frame and affect the debate.

Having nothing to say in a social justice sense on the Chris Brown Tweetfest is absolute hypocrisy.

Hilton has long compared the Gay Rights movement to the Civil Rights moment and quote Dr. King ad nauseam (which irritates Mo’Kelly to NO end). Mo’Kelly is here to tell Hilton, he can’t have it both ways. Advocacy requires speaking out, even when it’s impolitic, unpopular, politically inexpedient and generally unsafe.  If Perez Hilton is a Gay Rights advocate, then he should act accordingly, consistently…nicely or not. Otherwise his voice means nothing, irrespective of how often he eschews vulgar doodling or supposed mean-spirited commentary.

Message still trumps methodology and absence of message renders methodology meaningless.

At the top of this piece, Mo’Kelly explained how Hilton mockingly emailed Mo’Kelly regarding his previous commentaries. Last week when Mo’Kelly emailed him back requesting a formal statement on the Chris Brown incident…

…

…

…

…

…

Silence.

Unacceptable Perez. You built an empire under the pretense of advocacy blogging, wrapped in celebrity reporting. If you’ve walked away from social commentary altogether, that’s fine, but don’t jump back in the water down the road when more convenient. You’re allowed only one epiphany in life, not two. Those are the rules.  Two or more smack of brazen disingenuous behavior.

Perez, you’ve been called out.  This isn’t personal, just on principle.  Either you’re in or you’re out.  Make the choice.

(And Mo’Kelly didn’t even have to use any “nasty nicknames” or “vulgar doodling” to make his point.)

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Let Mo’Kelly be clear.  Mo’Kelly thought Perez Hilton was an ass in his set up of Prejean during the whatever pageant this all spiraled out of control.  Mo’Kelly argued that invariably, Hilton’s actions would catapult Prejean into stardom as the face of the religious right and anti-same-sex union movement.

And of course, Mo’Kelly was right.

Now out on book tour, Prejean has stepped out into the deeper waters of mainstream media, touting her conservative brand of politics.  In this video with super softball interviewer Larry King, she self-destructs.

Put it this way, whenever you start off an interview indicating that former Alaska governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin is your hero…it’s all downhill from there.

Get your popcorn, this is must-see TV!  Oh and by the way…just in case you haven’t heard.  There’s now a Carrie Prejean SEX TAPE making its way about the media and beyond.  Yes, nothing like the rising star of the religious right, touting morality and the indecent nature of gay marriage with her own sex tape…AS A MINOR!  More on that later.  CNN reports on the relevance of the sex tape to “why” Prejean settled here.  In the video you will see that King tries to get at this same “why” and that leads to Prejean going postal.

RELATED:

Perez Hilton Created Anti-Gay Marriage Star Carrie Prejean

Perez Hilton Isn’t Ready for Gay Marriage in America

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Nice Shiner P-Heezy

Now see…if he would’ve done the interview with Mo’Kelly this might not have happened.

“Might”…is the operative word here.  This just in from the AP.  And save the obvious “Black Eyed Peas” puns/jokes…they’re wack, even before you think them.

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TORONTO – Police have charged the tour manager of the Black Eyed Peas with assault after he allegedly punched celebrity blogger Perez Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub.

Hilton said he got into an argument with band members Fergie and will.i.am at the Cobra nightclub early Monday morning and was punched outside by Polo Molina, the band’s tour manager. They were at the club following a Sunday night video awards show.

Molina turned himself in and has been charged with assaulting Hilton, Toronto Police Constable Tony Vella said. Molina is due in court Aug. 5.

Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, complained about the incident on the microblogging site Twitter. He tweeted at 4 a.m.: “I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke.”

(Mo’Kelly – If you’re bleeding…why in the hell are you on Twitter?)

Hilton, who is openly gay, said in interview with The Associated Press that he called will.i.am a “faggot,” a gay slur, inside the club after the musician told the blogger not to write about his band on his Web site.

(Mo’Kelly – I don’t get the reverse gay slur psychology here…I just don’t.)

“He was like ‘You need to respect me.’ He was in my face. He was obviously trying to intimidate me and scare me,” Hilton said. “I was like ‘I don’t need to respect you. I don’t respect you and I did say this, and I knew that it would be the worst thing I could possibly say to him because he was acting the way he was. I said ‘You know what, I don’t respect you and you’re gay and stop being such a faggot.’”

(Mo’Kelly – I don’t know where P. Heezy is from, but if you get in a man’s face and say you don’t respect him and start with the namecalling, you are liable to get knocked the f$%#$ out.  I’m just sayin’…)

Will.i.am said in a video posting on dip.dive.com that he came to Hilton with respect and was called a “faggot.”

(Mo’Kelly – Well at least they agree on who called whom, what.  I still don’t get the reverse gay slur psychology…but at least they’re in agreement as to who said what to whom in that regard.)

Hilton, who was at the club with Lady Gaga, said he then left the club and was punched from behind. The pop stars and the blogger were among celebrities in Toronto for the MuchMusic Video Awards on Sunday night.

(Mo’Kelly  – Punched from behind?  So why the head-on shiner?)

PEREZ gives his account below.

THIS JUST IN…Will.I.Am Responds!  Peep video below.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2786039&w=425&h=350&fv=]

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DC Councilman Marion Crackbarry

Barry, D.C.’s former crack-smoking mayor, (the ‘former’ referring to the job title, not necessarily the crack-smoking part) is back in the news.

Councilman CrackBarry was the only person on the D.C. City Council to vote against a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

In the Washington Post Barry is quoted as follows:

“All hell is going to break lose.  We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this.”

Although Barry personally has long supported Gay rights, he has claimed his recent vote against the bill reflected the views of his Southeast Washington constituency.

“What you’ve got to understand is 98 percent of my constituents are black and we don’t have but a handful of openly gay residents,” Barry said. “Secondly, at least 70 percent of those who express themselves to me about this are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that…”

Take it for what it is…a crackhead’s opinion.  Yes, in pure numbers it’s fair to say that the majority of African-Americans may not be in agreement with gay marriage, but it is unfair to broad stroke allege that the whole of the community is adamant against it.  It’s simply untrue.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.  Mo’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

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Carrie Prejean

UPDATE 6.22.09 – Perez Hilton PUNCHED OUT (Allegedly) – Click HERE

UPDATE: 6.10.09 – Carrie Prejean FIRED!  See story HERE.

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After the initial Perez Hilton and Carrie Prejean story broke, I had a casual conversation with my friend Dave about the strategy and political implications of Hilton’s actions and what might be the ripple effects.  Dave and I attended high school together and Dave is openly gay.

We mused about the level of importance of Hilton’s remarks during and subsequent to the Miss USA pageant.  I had already written a scathing editorial, alleging that Hilton’s actions indicated that he wasn’t “ready” for gay marriage in America.  His intolerance of opposing viewpoints was little different than the intolerance for gay marriage.

Dave was terse and to the point.  Not only did he argue that the fight for the “title” of marriage was misguided, he also alleged that the fight over “the title” would galvanize the Christian conservative right-wing.  Going further, the actions of Hilton would likely ensure that Miss California USA Carrie Prejean would end up being recruited to help lead the anti-gay marriage movement.

Then, the other shoe dropped.

Thursday, Prejean released a statement and became the “unofficial” spokesperson for the anti-gay-marriage group National Organization for Marriage.

Right on time.  Score two for Dave.

Not only did Hilton’s actions further galvanize the Christian right, they turned Prejean into an anti-gay marriage

Perez Hilton

“American Idol” of sorts.  That can’t be good for the gay marriage movement, no matter how one attempts to spin it.

The question now is, what exactly was accomplished by the public grandstanding by Perez Hilton as a “judge” during the Miss USA pageant?  There are those who would argue that when given such a platform, you must use and even abuse it.  But such methodology ignores strategy.  Carrie Prejean is no longer an insignificant runner-up beauty contestant…she’s now a figure-head for a movement.

That can’t be good for the gay marriage movement, no matter how one attempts to spin it.

If the gay marriage movement should have learned anything from the Proposition 8 fight in California, it’s that the anti-gay marriage movement was both organized and well-funded in its efforts to disseminate its message.  Why further help it out?  Only respecting those who agree with your viewpoint is not respect at all.  It’s discrimination in its most insidious form.

If the gay marriage movement should have learned anything from the African-American civil rights movement, it’s that the opposition isn’t browbeaten into submission, it must be won over.  For all the Dr. Martin Luther King quotes posted on Perez Hilton’s website, in his attempt to connect to the African-American civil rights movement, he curiously misses the most salient point.  Being “right” isn’t 1/10th as important as being righteous in one’s actions.  The distance between “right” and “righteousness” is the distance between failure and success in winning over the hearts and minds of those who may oppose you.  The essence of Dr. King’s philosophy can be gleaned from this singular quote on the strategy of non-violence.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Another thing that we had to get over was the fact that the nonviolent resister does not seek to humiliate or defeat the opponent but to win his friendship and understanding. This was always a cry that we had to set before people that our aim is not to defeat the white community, not to humiliate the white community, but to win the friendship of all of the persons who had perpetrated this system in the past. The end of violence or the aftermath of violence is bitterness. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community.”

Perez Hilton sought only to humiliate Carrie Prejean with his ill-advised “dumb bitch” and “cunt” oratory.  To King’s point, Perez as a recognized voice in the gay community neither won any friends nor increased any understanding.  He did though increase bitterness, divisiveness and ultimately solidified the opposition to gay marriage.  He ensured a more-organized and more-focused anti-gay marriage campaign.

Mission not accomplished.

If Carrie Prejean was a “dumb bitch” when Hilton queried her…what does it mean now that she’s a “dumb bitch” with a verifiable voting constituency?  What have Hilton and the gay marriage movement gained?

Correct.  More organized opposition, that is what was gained.

BREAKING NEWS:  (Case in Point): Proposition 8 Upheld in California – CLICK HERE:

But back to Dave…

The continuing evolution of the Carrie Prejean phenomenon has proven my friend and classmate Dave right.  She went from relative obscurity to a household name.  In fact, I couldn’t even tell you by name who actually WON the Miss USA pageant if my life depended on it if you quizzed me.  But I CAN tell you who is the “unofficial” spokeswoman for the National Organization of Marriage without a crib sheet.

As they say, don’t tug on Superman’s cape.

So back to the question about the “rights” to the “title” of marriage issue.  I understand the argument that legalized marriage is more than just about the “title,” it’s about inheritance, child-custody and the public and equitable acknowledgment of a romantic union.  Intellectually, I, Mo’Kelly, understand that.  But I, Mo’Kelly also understand that the premise of the end justifying the means.  If the “end” is equal rights…which is separate and distinct from “equal title,” then why would Hilton consciously throw a brick through the window of the opposition?  Cutting off one’s nose to spite their face applies here.  How many moderate and undecided voters swung to the side of opposition due to Hilton’s behavior?

Jackie Robinson

The Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson was both right and righteous in his actions.  Baseball was subsequently compelled to change for the better because of it.  The  The Little Rock 9 who entered Central High School in Arkansas were both right and righteous in their actions.  The integration of public education could not have happened without it.  They were already “right,” even before they stepped foot in Central High School thanks to the ’54 Supreme Court decision of Brown V. Board of Education. They were “righteous” in the manner in which they took their strides one year later.

Right vs. righteousness.  It is not simply enough to be “right,” progressive change requires righteousness.

King also went on to say…

“The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community. A boycott is never an end within itself. It is merely a means to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor but the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption.”

What sense of “shame” has Hilton awakened or inspired in the hearts of those opposed to the gay marriage movement?  What attempt at reconciliation has Hilton made?  Where is the beloved community in the wake of Hilton’s behavior and castigation of Prejean as a “dumb bitch?” It is not enough to simply quote Dr. King to argue the moral imperative of justice, one’s actions must also retain the moral high ground in the process.

And just FYI, it’s HIGHLY offensive to appropriate Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement, yet also disrespect African-Americans who intellectually disagree with you.  To do so flies directly in the face of everything Dr. King stood for.  It’s not enough to “quote” Dr. King and cherry-pick text.  You actually have to be sincere and in concert with what King believed.

Hilton has simply set his movement back many years for the sake of self-aggrandizement.  That’s not the fault of the heterosexual majority, the blame should be laid at the feet of Hilton for his stupidity which trumpets the very insensitivity he allegedly seeks to eradicate.  The movement for gay marriage is not better off or furthered  because Perez Hilton used and abused Carrie Prejean before a national audience.  Hilton only ensured that the fight will be even more arduous and the opposition will have a face and focal point in which to rally behind going forward.

Not smart.

Hilton’s page views are up and his search engine optimization is at an all-time high.  But what has the gay marriage movement gained?  Correct, absolutely nothing.  But don’t blame the new “unofficial” national anti-gay marriage spokeswoman Carrie Prejean, blame Perez Hilton who willingly created her.

RELATED: Perez Hilton is Unready for Gay Marriage in America

Why Proposition 8 is Right and Why Ultimately It’s Wrong

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.  Mo’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

http://twitter.com/mrmokelly

Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE

Perez Hilton

UPDATE 6.22.09 – Perez Hilton punched out…allegedly.  Click HERE.

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Just in case you haven’t heard about the controversy, blogger and now celebrity “judge” Perez Hilton used his “platform” as Miss USA judge to ask finalist Carrie Prejean, Miss California USA her views on gay marriage.  To which, Carrie spoke openly and honestly.

Yes, a gay rights activist asks you about your views on gay marriage with a scorecard in hand…an impossible situation.  Not surprisingly, Prejean ended up as first runner-up, likely due to the subsequent markdown by Hilton.  Hilton discusses the controversy and his later reference to Prejean as a “bitch” on his blog in video below.

Yes, Perez Hilton in response to Carrie Prejean’s answer in the Miss USA pageant, has called Prejean a “bitch” on his blog perezhilton.com

In short form, Hilton has once again proven what has been historically wrong and misguided about the gay marriage movement. Such has been the paradox of the gay marriage discussion.

In any discussion of “rights, freedoms and liberties” there must be freedom and the right to disagree.  Judging by Hilton’s behavior, if you don’t agree with gay marriage, you’re a “bitch”..or worse a “cunt” (his words).

Nothing like arguing for a more progressive nation by falling back on sexist terminology to disrespect those who disagree with you. Such behavior was not unlike what transpired here in California when gay marriage proponents verbally assaulted many African-Americans with “nigger” to express their displeasure with African-Americans voting in support of Proposition 8.

Yes, calling women “bitches” and Black people “nigger” to help advance one’s “civil rights” agenda.  Great strategy there.  If that doesn’t win over the hearts and minds of people, nothing will.

But speaking of us “Black people.”

Mo’Kelly doesn’t “agree” with right-wing race arsonist Pat Buchanan on anything fundamental to African-Americans, but Mo’Kelly more importantly understands that there is a place for people like Buchanan in America…BECAUSE it is America.

Carrie Prejean is not a “bitch” because she disagrees with gay marriage.  It means it’s not for her and such beliefs are consistent with the definition of freedom and equality in America.  There are some people believe it or not who are just fine with being heterosexual.  It doesn’t a priori mean s/he is a bigot or is “anti-gay.”  There are some gay people who disagree with Affirmative Action, and Mo’Kelly is smart enough to know, that doesn’t make them “anti-Black” either.  We should be able to differentiate and discern between the two; disagree without being disagreeable in the process.

Prejean has created no law to abridge the rights of any ethnic or sexual preference group and she’s done nothing to personally embarrass the Miss USA pageant as “some” have alleged.

She simply answered the question put before her.

She was asked for her honest opinion and she gave it.  She was not supposed to be evaluated on the basis of whether we found her to be “progressive enough” or “politically correct enough.”  Supposedly, her answer was to be judged on the merits of how thoroughly and well-constructed her answer ultimately was.

Guess not.

It’s a beauty pageant, not a political debate.  The only person who was unclear was Perez Hilton.

If Rev. Al Sharpton asked a racially charged question to Prejean and she answered the question in the same manner, staying true to her beliefs; Mo’Kelly would feel the same way.  She answered the question that was put before her, from a gay-rights activist blogger with an agenda.  The only person who should be ashamed was the person who asked the question under those circumstances.

It was a beauty pageant stage, not a political one to advance one’s personal platform.

What Hilton fails to understand and refuses to acknowledge is that marriage by definition is a religious ceremony, meaning it has religious overtones and connotations for many people.  If you should ask an Islamic man for his religious views and you don’t agree with Islam’s treatment of women, it’s both the man’s right to worship as he chooses and our right to disagree and even dislike those beliefs.  Freedom is a dialogue, not a monologue by those who may try to shout down all opposing viewpoints.

“Tolerance” is a two-way street.

Parallel:

There are plenty people in this country who believe in and support polygamy.  There are a number of religions which observe and encourage polygamy in this the 21st century.  Conversely,  polygamy is not a legal right.  Americans are “free” to worship as they choose, but we still are a society of laws which supersede some worship practices.

Polygamy has been outlawed by most societies, but there are schisms of Mormonism and Hinduism for example which hold it in high regard.

To the point…

What is irrefutable is that marriage is de facto a ceremony, a union borne of religious tradition, and is not a legal right in and of itself in any varying form we may see fit.  If it were, polygamy would be equally viable as a marriage union.  One can’t argue that a man has a “right” to marry a man, and ALSO argue a man doesn’t have the “right” to marry two women. Where does one draw the line…if at all?

Meaning…

Either there is a strict definition of marriage or there is NO definition of marriage at all.  One can’t have it both ways.  Draw the line somewhere or not at all.  Presently Mo’Kelly can’t legally “marry” two women simultaneously.  Is that discrimination?

Of course not.

In the end, Prejean should not be disrespected and ridiculed (openly or privately) because she does not agree with same-sex marriage.  Freedom of speech intimates dialogue, so those who disagree with her should engage her in dialogue not perverse disrespect.  Perez Hilton’s behavior has only ensured the widening of the gulf between gay marriage supporters and opponents.

He had ample opportunity to at the minimum engage her and the larger public in the debate about same-sex marriage in these subsequent moments.  He instead continued on his low-road, opting for “bitch” and “cunt” references.

How “enlightened” and “progressive” of him…

Yes, “persuasive arguments” they are…no doubt.  If someone didn’t agree with gay marriage before the Miss USA pageant, surely the chants of “bitch” and “cunt” will change their minds…

In addition, the longer people like Perez Hilton continue to help widen this gulf, the longer it will take for the genuine and widespread acceptance of same-sex marriage…assuming that’s Hilton’s goal.  Maybe Mo’Kelly and others have given him too much credit.  Acceptance can not be brow-beaten into being.

Respect is always earned…never demanded.

If the gay marriage movement wants to take anything away from the African-American civil rights movement, take that.

If Perez Hilton desires respect, acceptance and reverence for gay rights, gay marriage and gay people in general, the first prerequisite is to conduct oneself in a way demonstrative and consistent with respect and acceptance.  Until that time comes, he’s free to keep spinning his wheels and reinforcing all of the negative stereotypes promulgated in regards to same-sex marriage proponents.  Perez Hilton is obviously in no way ready for gay marriage in America.  And if he isn’t…he has no business trying to lecture anybody else on why we should be.

RELATED:

Blame Perez Hilton for Carrie Prejean Phenomenon

Why Prop 8 is Right…and Why it’s Ultimately Wrong

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.mrmokelly.com.  Mo’Kelly can be reached at Mo@mrmokelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE

Perez Hilton

UPDATE 6.22.09 – Perez Hilton punched out…allegedly.  Click HERE.

___________

Just in case you haven’t heard about the controversy, blogger and now celebrity “judge” Perez Hilton used his “platform” as Miss USA judge to ask finalist Carrie Prejean, Miss California USA her views on gay marriage.  To which, Carrie spoke openly and honestly.

Yes, a gay rights activist asks you about your views on gay marriage with a scorecard in hand…an impossible situation.  Not surprisingly, Prejean ended up as first runner-up, likely due to the subsequent markdown by Hilton.  Hilton discusses the controversy and his later reference to Prejean as a “bitch” on his blog in video below.

Yes, Perez Hilton in response to Carrie Prejean’s answer in the Miss USA pageant, has called Prejean a “bitch” on his blog perezhilton.com

In short form, Hilton has once again proven what has been historically wrong and misguided about the gay marriage movement. Such has been the paradox of the gay marriage discussion.

In any discussion of “rights, freedoms and liberties” there must be freedom and the right to disagree.  Judging by Hilton’s behavior, if you don’t agree with gay marriage, you’re a “bitch”..or worse a “cunt” (his words).

Nothing like arguing for a more progressive nation by falling back on sexist terminology to disrespect those who disagree with you. Such behavior was not unlike what transpired here in California when gay marriage proponents verbally assaulted many African-Americans with “nigger” to express their displeasure with African-Americans voting in support of Proposition 8.

Yes, calling women “bitches” and Black people “nigger” to help advance one’s “civil rights” agenda.  Great strategy there.  If that doesn’t win over the hearts and minds of people, nothing will.

But speaking of us “Black people.”

Mo’Kelly doesn’t “agree” with right-wing race arsonist Pat Buchanan on anything fundamental to African-Americans, but Mo’Kelly more importantly understands that there is a place for people like Buchanan in America…BECAUSE it is America.

Carrie Prejean is not a “bitch” because she disagrees with gay marriage.  It means it’s not for her and such beliefs are consistent with the definition of freedom and equality in America.  There are some people believe it or not who are just fine with being heterosexual.  It doesn’t a priori mean s/he is a bigot or is “anti-gay.”  There are some gay people who disagree with Affirmative Action, and Mo’Kelly is smart enough to know, that doesn’t make them “anti-Black” either.  We should be able to differentiate and discern between the two; disagree without being disagreeable in the process.

Prejean has created no law to abridge the rights of any ethnic or sexual preference group and she’s done nothing to personally embarrass the Miss USA pageant as “some” have alleged.

She simply answered the question put before her.

She was asked for her honest opinion and she gave it.  She was not supposed to be evaluated on the basis of whether we found her to be “progressive enough” or “politically correct enough.”  Supposedly, her answer was to be judged on the merits of how thoroughly and well-constructed her answer ultimately was.

Guess not.

It’s a beauty pageant, not a political debate.  The only person who was unclear was Perez Hilton.

If Rev. Al Sharpton asked a racially charged question to Prejean and she answered the question in the same manner, staying true to her beliefs; Mo’Kelly would feel the same way.  She answered the question that was put before her, from a gay-rights activist blogger with an agenda.  The only person who should be ashamed was the person who asked the question under those circumstances.

It was a beauty pageant stage, not a political one to advance one’s personal platform.

What Hilton fails to understand and refuses to acknowledge is that marriage by definition is a religious ceremony, meaning it has religious overtones and connotations for many people.  If you should ask an Islamic man for his religious views and you don’t agree with Islam’s treatment of women, it’s both the man’s right to worship as he chooses and our right to disagree and even dislike those beliefs.  Freedom is a dialogue, not a monologue by those who may try to shout down all opposing viewpoints.

“Tolerance” is a two-way street.

Parallel:

There are plenty people in this country who believe in and support polygamy.  There are a number of religions which observe and encourage polygamy in this the 21st century.  Conversely,  polygamy is not a legal right.  Americans are “free” to worship as they choose, but we still are a society of laws which supersede some worship practices.

Polygamy has been outlawed by most societies, but there are schisms of Mormonism and Hinduism for example which hold it in high regard.

To the point…

What is irrefutable is that marriage is de facto a ceremony, a union borne of religious tradition, and is not a legal right in and of itself in any varying form we may see fit.  If it were, polygamy would be equally viable as a marriage union.  One can’t argue that a man has a “right” to marry a man, and ALSO argue a man doesn’t have the “right” to marry two women. Where does one draw the line…if at all?

Meaning…

Either there is a strict definition of marriage or there is NO definition of marriage at all.  One can’t have it both ways.  Draw the line somewhere or not at all.  Presently Mo’Kelly can’t legally “marry” two women simultaneously.  Is that discrimination?

Of course not.

In the end, Prejean should not be disrespected and ridiculed (openly or privately) because she does not agree with same-sex marriage.  Freedom of speech intimates dialogue, so those who disagree with her should engage her in dialogue not perverse disrespect.  Perez Hilton’s behavior has only ensured the widening of the gulf between gay marriage supporters and opponents.

He had ample opportunity to at the minimum engage her and the larger public in the debate about same-sex marriage in these subsequent moments.  He instead continued on his low-road, opting for “bitch” and “cunt” references.

How “enlightened” and “progressive” of him…

Yes, “persuasive arguments” they are…no doubt.  If someone didn’t agree with gay marriage before the Miss USA pageant, surely the chants of “bitch” and “cunt” will change their minds…

In addition, the longer people like Perez Hilton continue to help widen this gulf, the longer it will take for the genuine and widespread acceptance of same-sex marriage…assuming that’s Hilton’s goal.  Maybe Mo’Kelly and others have given him too much credit.  Acceptance can not be brow-beaten into being.

Respect is always earned…never demanded.

If the gay marriage movement wants to take anything away from the African-American civil rights movement, take that.

If Perez Hilton desires respect, acceptance and reverence for gay rights, gay marriage and gay people in general, the first prerequisite is to conduct oneself in a way demonstrative and consistent with respect and acceptance.  Until that time comes, he’s free to keep spinning his wheels and reinforcing all of the negative stereotypes promulgated in regards to same-sex marriage proponents.  Perez Hilton is obviously in no way ready for gay marriage in America.  And if he isn’t…he has no business trying to lecture anybody else on why we should be.

RELATED:

Blame Perez Hilton for Carrie Prejean Phenomenon

Why Prop 8 is Right…and Why it’s Ultimately Wrong

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.  Mo’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

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