“Chrissy” Pronger Poster Sparks Controversy

Luckily, I have a solution.

The Chicago Blackhawks can close out the Stanley Cup Final with a win in game six on Wednesday night.  The Chicago Tribune thought the best way to cheer them on was to print a poster of Flyers’ defenseman Chris Pronger.  Only the poster was labelled “Chrissy” Pronger and the photo of him was photoshopped to include him in a woman’s figure skating skirt.  The caption read, “Looks like Tarzan, skates like Jane.”

Naturally, this caused a little controversy.

Three-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero took offense and said it was an ignorant portrayal of women and hockey.   She said she would “like to see that editor out on skates.  I’ll take them one-on-one on the ice any day.”

Tribune sports editor Mike Kellams didn’t like that idea calling it a “no contest.”   Kellams apologized for those who took offense (whatever that means) and dismissed the incident and the criticism as “having a little fun.”

Okay, I’ll admit it.  It was a little bit funny in a juvenile sort of way.  It was probably meant as some good-natured humour and our world needs more of that.  It was also, however, ignorant and  sexist.

Any time you compare a to b in a matter intended to be insulting or denigrating to b, you are only making that comparison if you have a negative opinion of a.  In other words, if you say Pronger skates like a girl and mean it as an insult, you are effectively saying that girls can’t skate well.  Clearly this is sexist and a gross generalization that is patently false.  If Kellams didn’t mean that women can’t skate well, was the poster intended to compliment Pronger?  How then is this poster making fun of Pronger?

If you still don’t think this is sexist (at least in its ignorance if not intent) consider the reaction if Pronger was photoshopped to look black or Asian.  (“Crumbles like rice on ice?”)  Yeah, that’s what I thought.

I suppose that is the issue right there.  This is sexist in its ignorance rather than its intent.  Kellams dismissal of the criticism is a mistake that sends the wrong message.  Ignorance is not an excuse and it doesn’t make sexism okay.

I’m still optimistic enough that when I see ignorance, I see an opportunity to educate.  In this case, I think Kellams can show us all how much he and the Tribune appreciates good-natured humour by taking Ruggiero up on her challenge.

It’d be great.

We’d have someone who looks like Jane and skates like Tarzan going up against someone who looks like Mr Potato Head and skates like… well, Mr Potato Head.  Seriously.

Kellams: Looks like Mr Potato Head, probably skates like him too.

Okay, maybe not too seriously.  This is just good-natured humour, right Mike?

But seriously.

The whole concept of freedom of speech has been bastardized.  Freedom of speech means you can say what you want, not that you won’t have to accept the consequences of what you say.

Kellams and the Tribune got a few laughs at Pronger’s — and women’s — expense and its time to accept the consequences.

I think Ruggiero’s challenge is a great idea.  I propose a game of shinny between the two to raise money for charity.   Better yet, maybe a 3-on-3 game with Kellams and two other members of the Tribune’s editorial board against Ruggiero and two players from her hockey school for girls.

It would be brilliant.

Kellams gets to “man up” and get destroyed by a bunch of girls.  Hopefully he takes it “like a man” and gets a lesson in gender equality and stereotypes in sports and reporting.

Angela Ruggiero gets some positive ink for women’s hockey and her hockey school.  If appropriate, maybe her school (or a related charity promoting girls in sports) can take the proceeds.  I’m sure beating up a couple men would be great fun for the girls.

The Tribune gets to save some face and put a positive spin on a divisive issue.   The articles covering the game would pretty much write themselves.   Who knows, the PR win might even gain a few subscriptions.

Come on Mike, “be a man” and show us all this was just for fun.  Yes, you’ll probably be humiliated but that’s what makes this work.  Don’t dismiss the criticism, embrace it.  Own it and accept the consequences.

That is, of course, if you have “the balls.”