Hendricks: "Funny what a few little words can do"
April 2, 2009
It is all fine and well for me to be offended by what Dana White says, but his offensive speech sets the tone for a poisonous environment for others to work in. Maggie Hendricks of Yahoo’s Cage Writer gives her perspective on how White’s hateful diatribe affects her:
The words “faggot” and “bitch” marginalize gays and women, both groups that if White were the smart businessman he claims to be, could help grow his business. Does White not think that women and gay men watch the UFC? Is he delusional? Maybe in his world, only straight men are lining his pockets, but he should wake up. Dropping the words “faggot” and “bitch” like it wasn’t a big deal makes me want to walk in the other direction from the UFC and give my money to anyone else but Zuffa.
Since I’ve started with Cage Writer, I have been worried from time to time that I would not be welcome at fights or in gyms. After all, MMA is definitely a man’s world. However, I’ve never felt unwelcome, never felt like I was given an unfair shake, never felt like I didn’t belong. But after seeing the president of the corporation that I spend much of my days writing about call another female member of the MMA media a “dumb bitch,” I instantly become unwelcome in this world. Funny what a few little words can do.
Hopefully Maggie’s co-workers and old Vegas media hands Steve Cofield and Kevin Iole will put principle before business and echo her sentiments that these comments are hurtful and unbecoming of anyone, much less the head of a corporation. Notice I said hoping, not expecting.
