May Editorial Winner

Butker's remarks show he is out of touch

By Kim Poindexter, Tahlequah Daily Press

By now, almost everyone has heard about Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker who put his cleated foot in his mouth during a commencement speech at Benedictine College. He should learn from the outrage his choice of words generated.

Butker’s speech – which calls to mind the series “The Handmaid’s Tale” – may seem unusual coming from a man of 28. Younger men are assumed to be more enlightened than their older brethren. Butker is an exception, though, and evidently many young men agree with his thought process, and a number of women are striving to impress those men by championing it.

Speaking to a graduating class, Butker may have had good intentions, but one doesn’t have to be a “snowflake” to find his words repugnant: “I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now... thinking about all the promotions and titles you’re going to get in your career? ... I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

Suffice it to say that Butker, with his poor “guesswork,” should avoid casinos. And what “diabolical lies” is he referring to? Some might argue the substance of his speech fits that bill.

Butker’s superlative-laden assertion – that the “majority” of women are “most excited” about matrimony and birthing babies – may be a snippet from his personal wish list, but it shows he is out of touch with reality. Some women are indeed looking forward to that future, which is their right. But not all women are cut out to be wives and moms; some are better suited to careers that will meaningfully contribute to society. It’s tempting to wonder what Butker would say about men who choose to be homemakers.

What about women who have the temerity to believe they can be wives and mothers, and also have careers? Those are legion, as are women who have no choice; they have to work outside the home to support their families – often because the fathers of their children can-not or will not do so. Many couples must both work outside the home these days to make ends meet. And then, what about infertile couples?

In fact, Butker cannot grasp these situations. He is a millionaire, and his wife is apparently fertile. She has options other women don’t have.

The most astute criticism of Butker’s draconian philosophy came from the Benedictine nuns, whose “vocation” requires them to eschew marriage and motherhood. Their response was lengthy, but read in part: “Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division. One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.”

That should put to rest the assertion that Butker’s viewpoint is “biblical.” He might find validation in the Old Testament or the Pauline Epistles, but limiting women to specific roles is not necessarily a standard advanced by Christ.

Many who are outraged by Butker’s sentiments say he should stick to football. But he has a right to express his opinion, and perhaps it’s a good thing he did – because now, we all know who he really is. However, it’s fair to ask what those who approve of Butker’s foray into politics thought about Colin Kaepernick’s taking a knee during the National Anthem to protest racial injustice. Aren’t women just as important as a song?