- Maria Shriver Condemns Chiefs Kicker, Harrison Butker’s Controversial Commencement Speech.
- Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, delivered a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College, sparking widespread criticism for his remarks deemed demeaning towards women and their roles outside of wife and motherhood.
- Journalist Maria Shriver, niece of former President John F. Kennedy, responded to Butker’s speech, criticizing his views as demeaning to women and highlighting the struggle for women’s rights.
Newsypeople – Following Harrison Butker’s recent commencement speech at Benedictine College, Maria Shriver Journalist Maria Shriver, niece of former President John F. Kennedy has reacted. Continue reading to know all the details of the reaction.Â
Maria Shriver Condemns Chiefs Kicker’s Controversial Commencement Speech
Maria Shriver has urged Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker to embrace “dignity and respect” while exercising his freedom of speech, following his controversial and divisive commencement address that was criticized for being sexist and anti-LGBTQ+.
In a detailed statement shared on X, Shriver, a respected journalist, highlighted the importance of women’s choices beyond traditional roles of wife and motherhood. She expressed concern that implying women’s worth is solely tied to homemaking diminishes the diverse paths women can pursue to contribute meaningfully to society. Shriver emphasized the historical struggles women have faced to secure rights and opportunities beyond domestic roles, contrasting them with the privileges of choosing to be a homemaker in modern times.
Acknowledging Butker’s right to express his views on the impact of absent fathers in society, Shriver emphasized the importance of women having a voice and the right to disagree with his perspectives. She underscored the significance of women’s multifaceted roles in balancing work, caregiving, and societal contributions, challenging the notion that homemaking is the ultimate aspiration for women.
We all have the right to voice our opinions, but let us strive to do so with dignity and respect. #abovethenoise pic.twitter.com/d2CSbNS7vz
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) May 15, 2024
Shriver also criticized Butker’s comments on men setting the cultural tone, advocating for inclusivity and emphasizing that individuals of all genders and orientations can shape the future. She suggested that Butker should engage with diverse perspectives, particularly from women, to gain a clearer understanding of contemporary challenges and aspirations.
The National Football League (NFL) also distanced itself from Butker’s speech, with the league’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, affirming that Butker’s views do not align with the NFL’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. Beane reiterated the NFL’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment that strengthens the league.
Butker’s controversial remarks during his commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he criticized gender ideologies, President Biden’s policies, and emphasized traditional gender roles, have sparked widespread debate and condemnation. Notably, Butker’s mother, Elizabeth Keller Butker, is an accomplished physicist, highlighting the diversity of roles and achievements within his own family.
NFL’s Response to Harrison Butker’s Speech
The NFL responded to Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech by distancing the league from his views. The NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, clarified that Butker’s speech was delivered in his personal capacity and does not reflect the views of the NFL as an organization. Beane emphasized the NFL’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, stating that Butker’s perspectives diverge from the league’s stance on diversity and inclusion, which are fundamental values that strengthen the organization
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