Rita Panahi: Absurd exchange between Caroline Wilson and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt is telling
Any man who questions the competence of a female take heed — you’ll be slurred misogynist or sexist, aimed at shaming you into silence. That’s the message from Channel 7’s new footy show.
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Women in powerful positions are apparently beyond criticism. That’s the message from Channel 7’s fledgling football program, The Agenda Setters.
Any man who dares question the performance or professional competence of an individual who happens to be female is on notice; you’ll be called a misogynist, sexist or some other slur designed to shame you into silence.
But when the word “sexist” is misused and overused it loses all meaning. Just take note of this frankly absurd exchange between veteran football reporter Caroline Wilson and former St Kilda great turned media pundit Nick Riewoldt.
Riewoldt: “The president (North Melbourne’s Sonja Hood) who was sycophantic almost in her appraisal (of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson)…”.
Wilson interrupts: “No, no, no, she was not sycophantic, she was promoting the club.”
Riewoldt: “I get that.”
Wilson: “That’s ridiculous … No, that’s bordering on sexism, if a male president had lauded getting a premiership coach. I won’t cop that, if a male president had lauded getting a four-time premiership coach you wouldn’t call it sycophantic. I bet you wouldn’t have.”
Riewoldt: “What are you talking about? Anyone that goes above in their praise and promotion…”.
What you missed on Monday night’s AFL TV shows
Wilson interrupts: “This was a down-on-their-knees club who landed Alastair Clarkson …”
Riewoldt interrupts: “I resent the fact that you think that is a sexist comment, that is a ridiculous thing to say…”.
Wilson interrupts: “Well I’m sticking up for Sonja, I think sycophantic is too strong a word, just like I think Kane (Cornes) bullied her.”
Riewoldt: “How is someone being sycophantic got anything to do with their gender? That’s ridiculous.”
Wilson: “You’re making ridiculous statements … you are wrong to say she was sycophantic, she wasn’t sycophantic”
Riewoldt: “That’s ridiculous and you should apologise.”
Wilson: “Well you should apologise to her, Nick, for calling her sycophantic.”
Riewoldt: “It’s not sexist, Caroline.”
Now, let’s not dwell on the brain cells I lost listening to that exchange and ponder the weapon grade chutzpah of Wilson.
It takes a special kind of gall to demand an apology from a man you’ve just falsely smeared as sexist, an apology on behalf of someone else.
Accusations of “sexism” should not be used by leftist feminists to dodge accountability. It’s a serious allegation that should always be grounded in fact.
Originally published as Rita Panahi: Absurd exchange between Caroline Wilson and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt is telling
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