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“Duck Dynasty” star can say what he wants, but still should respect others

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Late last year, it seemed like the “Duck Dynasty” franchise could do no wrong. Averaging over 10 million viewers an episode, it was the show that everyone was talking about. While that has not changed, the buzz is now for reasons that are likely different than the show’s producers would like.

As many people have read or heard by now, Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the show’s family, made several offensive comments about homosexuals and African-Americans. While his network, A&E, was quick to suspend him from filming, he has since been reinstated after public outcry. While many of those defending Robertson cited his right to his own opinion, I find this to be a hypocritical defense.

While Robertson no doubt has a right to think whatever he wants, those he criticized, homosexuals in particular, also have a right to do as they please without being subject to the public criticism – Robertson made his comments in an article published in GQ, one of the most widely read magazines in the country. Furthermore, Robertson’s vulgar commentary on why he does not understand the concept of homosexuality was unneeded and incredibly inappropriate. I’m not denying that he can say what he wants, but I am saying that he still should be held accountable when his words offend thousands, if not millions.

Over Christmas break, I visited three of my cousins, all of whom are under the age of 12. The youngest, age 8, couldn’t stop talking about “Duck Dynasty.” Of course, he had no idea what Robertson’s comments meant. It’s important to remember that with an audience of ten million people, some of whom are children, Robertson’s words reach many. Thus, he has a duty to at the very least be more respectful when he states his opinions.

I’m fine with respecting Robertson’s right to free speech, however offensive it may be. I just wish that he would respect that others have a right to do as they please as well, homosexual or not.

Read some different views on “Duck Dynasty” here.

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Will McDonald, Managing Editor
At first glance, one would never know the special title senior Will McDonald holds in the Inklings room. “Ms. McNamee says I have the worst handwriting she’s seen in 20 years,” McDonald says. He admits this with pride, and from the look of his notes, with confidence that he will maintain that reputation. McDonald also lives with the struggle of sharing his name with a school janitor. Between receiving email requests to fix pipes and teachers frustrated by a lack of response to their emails, the situation has become a big mess. McDonald wasted no time getting involved with Inklings as a freshman and now along with his impressive handwriting title he is the current managing editor. Before his current position he had been a sports and news editor. His favorite pieces of work would be his article “When Stealing’s Not A Crime” and his front-page graphic for the Sandy Hook edition. On top of his position on the Inklings staff, McDonald is also the captain of the boy’s cross-country team. He spent his summer working at the Sherwood Island Nature Center. Outside of work and school McDonald likes to read, watch movies, listen to music by Mumford & Sons and enjoy pancakes at his favorite restaurant, Chips. As McDonald approaches this year at Inklings he shares, “knowing that this is my final year is saddening, but at the same time exciting because of all of the great things that I know are still left to be accomplished”.

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