The Harrison Butker commencement speech is stirring pro and con emotions across all cultures and backgrounds.
Sports :
Earlier this month, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered the commencement speech to the graduating class of 2024 at Benedictine College, a small Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas. Regrettably, his selection of topics and choice of words has been consistently panned by various groups and organizations.
During the speech, Butker called Gay Pride Month a “deadly sin” and denounced diversity programs and equality issues. He also suggested that women find more fulfillment by getting married and having children instead of pursuing careers.
Yes, Harrison Butker told the 485 male and female graduates that a woman’s accomplishments in the home are more valuable than any academic or professional goals.
“I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you,” he claimed.
“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Butker then went on to praise his wife, Isabelle, saying she “would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”
Additionally, Butker criticized President Joe Biden, who is Catholic, and other unnamed Catholic leaders for “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America” in what was seen as an affront against transgender rights. He also waded into the DEI debate, saying, “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Actress Patricia Heaton, best known for her role on the long-running sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond praised Butker for his remarks.
“I don’t know why everybody’s knickers are in a twist,” the actress said in a May 18th Instagram video. “He gave a commencement speech. The audience applauded twice and gave him a standing ovation at the end, so clearly they enjoyed what he was saying. The guy is espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine, so what?”
“It’s his opinion,” the 66-year-old actress continued. “He can have one. He’s allowed. He’s not a monster for stating what he believes.”
However, not everyone was so supportive.
Last week, the NFL issued a statement, saying Butker’s comments don’t reflect the views of the league.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization,” said Senior Vice President Jonathan Beane, the league’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. “The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
The organization GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) also issued a statement, calling Butker’s speech “a clear miss” and “woefully out of step with Americans about Pride, LGBTQ people and women.”
Interestingly, the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica monastery, who were instrumental in the founding of Benedictine College, also spoke out against his words.
“The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested,” they said in a statement. “Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division.”
“One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman,” they continued. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have not responded to Butker’s remarks and may be hoping the brouhaha simply blows over with time.
Is it correct to condemn Harrison Butker for his thoughts on a woman’s place in society, gays, and more? Or, is he entitled to his opinion?
OK WASSUP! discusses Sports:
Harrison Butker commencement speech raises concerns.
Patricia Heaton:
“The guy is espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine”.. H/t DJ
Suffice it to say that I disagree with some of his comments.But I agree with Heaton.
And apparently most of his audience agreed with the guy. They applauded him twice and gave him a standing ovation.