For a while, Chuckles and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Eugene Kane had a little spat. It was little since Kane mostly ignored Sykes, who just mostly bloviates any way. But Kane knew how to get his licks in as well.
I think Sykes' problem is one more of jealousy of Kane's skill with the written word than anything else.
Kane again shows his mastery and real insight with his column from today's paper. It deals with the subject of incest, spawned by the recent revelations of actress McKenzie Phillips. The insight, and mastery of the written word is shown at the end of Kane's column:
I've covered organizations that deal with these issues and have talked with counselors who described sexual abuse by a trusted relative or friend as a powerful dynamic that shatters lives. Given that, I probably shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss Phillips' claims.
If she were a man claiming to have been abused decades ago by a priest, I suspect people as a whole would have been more empathetic.
My lesson learned is that tolerance means more than just accepting the fact we are all different people in terms of race, age and gender. It also means giving the proper respect to someone else's experiences.
My initial response to the Phillips' story by saying "TMI" prevented me from realizing it really wasn't too much information for people who have managed to weather the storm but still need support. I still fail to see how talking about it on Oprah helps Phillips heal, but I really don't have to.
Her words may help others deal with the same darkness, which I suppose is the entire point.
You do know she is doing this for the money and in support of a book and not for some kind of "spiritual healing" right?
ReplyDeletePersonally I think all of us could have done without Mckenzie Phillips revelations....
I'm not saying whether or not I believe the accusations, since I really could care less about the hollywood types, but why on earth would you reveal something that was such a horrible thing to have happen in your life, in such a public arena, unless many many dollar signs were being flashed?
"...but why on earth would you reveal something that was such a horrible thing to have happen in your life, in such a public arena, unless many many dollar signs were being flashed?"
ReplyDeleteThis is a common thing among recovering addicts, and in group therapy. the idea is to give other people that have not progressed so far the sense that they are not alone.
I recognize that she is not being completely altruistic about this, but if it helps other victims of sexual assault, incestuous or otherwise, I see nothing wrong with it.