Jada Pinkett Smith Controversy
Jada Pinkett Smith, speaking at a cultural show at Harvard University:
Apparently these words ticked off a gay advocacy group on the campus:
I sometimes think these people go around looking for things to be offended about.
"Women, you can have it all--a loving man, devoted husband, loving children, a fabulous career," she said. "They say you gotta choose. Nah, nah, nah. We are a new generation of women. We got to set a new standard of rules around here. You can do whatever it is you want. All you have to do is want it."
"To my men, open your mind, open your eyes to new ideas. Be open," she added.
Apparently these words ticked off a gay advocacy group on the campus:
Harvard Crimson - After some students were offended by Jada Pinkett Smith's comments at Saturday's Cultural Rhythms show, the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Supporters Alliance (BGLTSA) and the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations have begun working together to increase sensitivity toward issues of sexuality at Harvard.
Students said that some of Pinkett Smith's remarks concerning appropriate gender roles were specific to heterosexual relationships.
In a press release circulated yesterday by the BGLTSA--and developed in coordination with the Foundation--the BGLTSA called for an apology from the Foundation and encouraged future discussion of the issue.
According to the Foundation's Student Advisory Committee (SAC) Co-Chair Yannis M. Paulus '05, the two groups have already planned concrete ways to address the concerns that Pinkett Smith's speech rose.
The BGLTSA release acknowledged that the Foundation was not responsible for Pinkett Smith's comments. But the Foundation has pledged to "take responsibility to inform future speakers that they will be speaking to an audience diverse in race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender and class," according to the release.
I sometimes think these people go around looking for things to be offended about.
