HARVARD GROUP DECRIES JADA PINKETT SMITH'S "HETERONORMATIVE" REMARKS: From the 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. ...

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. ...

BGLTSA Co-Chair Jordan B. Woods '06 said that, while many BGLTSA members thought Pinkett Smith's speech was "motivational," some were insulted because they thought she narrowly defined the roles of men and women in relationships.

"Some of the content was extremely heteronormative, and made BGLTSA members feel uncomfortable," he said.

Calling the comments heteronormative, according to Woods, means they implied that standard sexual relationships are only between males and females. ...

"I think the comments had a very strong focus for an extended period of time on how to effectively be in a relationship--a heterosexual relationship," Barusch said. "I don't think she meant to be offensive but I just don't think she was that thoughtful."

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[According to Mickey Kaus, the offending remarks are these:

She then addressed issues regarding the roles of men and women today.

"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.

If that's all she said, this is officially the Weirdest Story, or Non-Story, I've seen so far this year. I mean, what? --Eve]
posted by Eve at 3:51 AM VOTE

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