Misogyny is calling a woman “crazy” when they are outspoken and fearlessly standing up against an abusive government. Senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc has been the latest recipient of this insult after her recent debates. She’s kept quiet for a while, but decided to speak up when well-known newscaster Jay Sonza questioned her mental state.
Jay tweeted, “[Question] lang. May diperensya ba si Samira Gutoc? Iba klase ang dating niya tuwing magbubukas siya ng bibig.” (I have a question. Is Samira Gutoc deranged? She turns into something different every time she opens her mouth.)
Samira wasn’t having it and quickly responded to his criticism of her, noting that he’s being insensitive to persons with disabilities (PWDs). “Rape jokes, PWD jokes, they come from the same monster. I will not stand idly as you make disability a laughing matter,” she tweeted. “How far you fell from grace, and you think you can still joke your way into relevance? I am sure it will not resurrect your dead journalistic career.”
https://twitter.com/SamiraGutoc/status/1123445458007920640
The newscaster’s language is proof of how much some people throw out insensitive words and stereotypes relating to PWDs. This type of behavior at any level normalizes mockery of PWDs akin to what Mocha Uson and Drew Olivar did in their “Pepedederalismo” video.
We commend Samira for standing up, not only for herself, but also PWDs and every person who has experienced something similar. Way to show men like Jay Sonza that they shouldn’t call anyone names, especially when it ridicules a marginalized sector.
Photo courtesy of Samira Gutoc’s Instagram account
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