I will be keeping
it real tonight with
Xander Gibb is a Broadcaster, International Political and Social Commentator, Public Speaker, Writer, Actor, Comedian, Singer and Talk Show Host of The #XanderGibbShow, The Talk Show that gets you talking and Xandermonium TV . He is a Published Author, and Political Writer. His first book. The Boy from beyond The Ice House met critical acclaim and he is working on book two. "Traitor" Stalked by Billy Baldwin, feared by Twitter!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Shapiro V Tur - Facts should care about feelings.
Last week saw an
onslaught in the issues surrounding those who identify as Trans. The latest
episode in the saga was played out live on national television on Dr Drew’s
Show and the main combatants were Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro and Trans
Journalist Zoe Tur.
Clearly they had been
seated side by side for maximum effect and all Dr Drew had to do was make the
bullets for Shapiro to fire and sit back and watch the floor show. The topic of
discussion was Caitlyn Jenner’s acceptance of the ESPYs Arthur Ashe Award and
opinions regarding Jenner’s acceptance.
Whether I agree with
Jenner receiving the award aside, what SHE chose to do was nothing short of
amazing in my book. Every year, all over the world, young people kill
themselves due to harassment and bullying regarding their sexuality, gender
issues or a response to finding themselves.
So what was so amazing
about Jenner’s response to winning the award I hear you say? Regardless of how
brave or not this individual is, SHE used the situation to highlight the plight
of these young people who are affected by the level of trickle down hate
perpetuated by all who wrap up their opinions in an oh so particular way.
You will notice I have
referred to Jenner as SHE, because in my world, as a basic order of respect I
will refer to people as what they prescribe, not what I decide I think they
should be. Surely if nothing else, whether or not we agree with someone’s
opinions and life choices, we at least owe them a little courtesy and respect,
or one would think.
This is where it all
fell apart for me on Dr Drew’s show and the animosity was visible from the
outset. Shapiro, famed for his loathing of all things LGBT was as expected true
to form. Whilst I totally feel he has every right to any opinion he pleases, as
after all this is still America
right, he lost any respect when he became disrespectful to Tur.
Calling Zoe Tur, Sir
was strike one for me and his argument was dissolved immediately. Strike two
was referring to both Tur and Jenner in the masculine. Once again, to not use
the chosen vernacular an individual has proffered for themselves is not
respectful in any way, shape or form. This was clearly nothing short of a set
up, and the fact anyone was surprised by Tur’s response was totally ridiculous
in the circumstances.
Whilst Tur was not
blameless in this situation as I feel she never should have laid a hand on him,
to call this battery is nothing short of hilarity given the fact that Tur could
clearly have whipped the floor with Shapiro. For Shapiro to level charges of
battery with the LAPD is really another ridiculous attempt at publicity seeking
on Shapiro’s part.
As always I see the
myriad of opinions pertaining to who was right and who wrong in this situation.
As I get older, I find myself not needing to form and share an opinion based
upon what is popular. The price of being a Social Commentator is that people
will not always like or agree with your commentary, but your audience will
always find you.
I am not sure when it
became popular to see those who disagree with us as haters, but some quite
clearly are and whilst I am not here to defend either party, we need to see
exactly what happened here. A TV show set up a situation, clearly designed to
cause further divide between a community that is already so divided a blow
torch couldn’t arc weld it together right now.
This was no difference
to Piers Morgan engaging former Growing Pains Actor Kirk Cameron on LGBT
issues. Clearly some hosts rely on cashing in on the fact some are vehemently
opinionated. As a Christian, he was bound to come from a position of that ilk,
just like both Tur and Shapiro would respond as expected, given their
particular perspectives on the subject matter.
Some elements of the
media have a hidden agenda to sensationalize issues such as this and fan an
already inflamed situation, into a raging inferno, created for ratings alone.
Whilst there are a plethora of things I am not happy with regarding the LGBT
Community right now, I for one will not be drawn into hating on people I am
told I should disagree with.
I cannot bring myself
to hate someone for exercising their right to explore what they fundamentally
feel is in their core. I might not understand it or necessarily agree with it,
but my core tells me that in order to be the best that I can be, before myself
and God, I should not judge.
Whilst we continue to
subscribe to these things as a society, it will continue to crumble. We cannot
continue to further divide ourselves in this way, when there has to be a better
way. Whilst even as Gay Man, I do not understand what it is like to be Trans
but as a Christian/J4J, I know I am called to be compassionate, and if I have
lost compassion, I have lost everything.
Saying facts don’t care
about your feelings is a rather arrogant way of saying you don’t care and you
will say exactly what you please, regardless of whom it may offend. We do not
have to agree, but we need to show a little respect and stop subscribing to
divisive individuals and divisive media.
Love and Peace
Xander x
Sunday, July 19, 2015
XANDERMONIUM EPISODE 136 (made with Spreaker)
If you missed Episode 136 of #Xandermonium, you can check it here. Thanks
to Sarah Boyles, Marisa Liza Pell & Noah Michelson
to Sarah Boyles, Marisa Liza Pell & Noah Michelson
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
XANDERMONIUM EPISODE 133
If you missed Episode 133 of #Xandermonium, you can check it here.
Thanks to Noah Michelson & Xander Berkeley
http://tobtr.com/7718489
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