Irish Independent columnist Sarah Carey has written a piece defending 'that' article on women's rugby penned by her colleague this week. In case you've been living under a rock, the article in question was Niamh Horan's "I never play a game without my tan': Girlz In The Scrum'" for the Sunday Independent.
The piece by Horan was laden with gender stereotypes and patronising statements and received widespread criticism for its portrayal of female rugby players. Carey argued that the article did not warrant the vitriol it received.
She wasn’t being provocative.
She just wrote a colour piece on women’s rugby and next thing she’s being hung, drawn and quartered on Twitter.
Unfortunately, as a mere entertainment writer for the Sunday Independent, Horan never had a chance. Wrong paper. Wrong opinions. Wrong tone.
Carey then went on the rampage, saying that her workmate was bullied by the public for expressing opinions that don't comply with the status quo. She went through a laundry list of examples of views that she feels disagreeing with is almost a criminal offence before castigating the general public for showing solidarity in taking offence with Horan's reporting style.
If you’re going online you have to learn that there is one set of acceptable opinions. You know what they are. Pro-choice. Pro-gay marriage. Anti-government. Women in Ireland are treated just like women in Afghanistan and of course, Ireland is the worst country in the world. Ever.
The mob rule has created an atmosphere in which people are genuinely afraid either to express their opinions or to support those being bullied for theirs. It’s a really nasty business. Women rugby players wearing make-up deserves at worst mild shoulder shrugging, not an onslaught.
In case that wasn't enough, she attacked Twitter. The Indo journalist cited the social network as a scourge on modern society.
If you assume the mob on Twitter represents public opinion, you’re ignoring the majority of the population who wisely opt out of the knitting at the guillotine vibe or indeed those who just opt out of it altogether. Twitter maybe a fact of modern life, but there’s a lot about modern life that’s pretty vile.
The maraschino that capped off the piece, was a shot below the belt at the detractors of the original article.
Anyway, Horan’s experience has been rough and I hope she’s okay. She’s seems like a tough bird – just like those rugby players.
That will show those equality lovin', commie-liberals.
