⏳ Tuesday Fix: Identity and Representation
Morning all,
Today's newsletter is an unintentional thread on identity and representation - JK Rowling's views on gender, the Brit Awards scrapping male and female categories, and actor Eddie Redmayne expressing regret for playing a trans character.
Until tomorrow,
Your Fixers
GOOD LISTENER?
MONDAY'S MAIN LINES
Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey has been ordered to pay $31 million to the studio who created the hit show House of Cards, for breach of contract.
Remember: Back in 2017, Spacey was accused of multiple allegations of sexual harassment. He was fired from his role on House of Cards, and ultimately written out of the show. Spacey was widely criticised for using a statement to address harassment allegations to come out as a gay man.
In Bulgaria, at least 45 people - including 12 children - were killed when a bus they were travelling on crashed and caught fire on a motorway.
Worth noting: BBC News and some other media outlets are reporting 46 deaths - that was the original number reported, but was later amended.
THE PRINCES AND THE PRESS
A two-part BBC documentary looking at the complex relationship between the media and the royal family - Prince William and Prince Harry in particular - has sparked a lot of debate online.
In an unusual move, senior royals condemned the programme before it had ever aired.
Why? They say the documentary gives credibility to "overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources".
What was said? What arguably got the most attention in the first episode is an interview with a private investigator who was hired by The News of the World. He alleged the phone of Prince Harry's ex - Chelsea Davy - was monitored, and her entire medical history was investigated without her consent, including whether or not she ever had an abortion or contracted any sexually transmitted infections.
The second episode airs this evening. The Guardian gave the first episode four out of five stars, saying it made for a "compelling analysis".
Here is where you can watch episode 1.
POLITICS AND... PEPPA PIG?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was widely criticised for a 'bungled' speech on Monday, where he lost his place, and started discussing Peppa Pig.
The speech has also been described as "bizarre" and "shambolic".
The extraordinary clip below has been viewed more than two million times.
JK ROWLING TARGETED
Author JK Rowling said her home address was posted on Twitter by three trans activists, who she said were trying to intimidate her.
In June 2020, Rowling received widespread criticism for responding to an article about "people who menstruate," suggesting the word used should have been "women" who menstruate.
Rowling was called transphobic by critics. She said her views are not against trans right, but on her experience as a woman and the importance of biological sex. In the Twitter thread, Rowling said she had also been in touch with other women in similar situations.
"None of these women are protected in the way I am. They and their families have been put into a state of fear and distress for no other reason than that they refuse to uncritically accept that the socio-political concept of gender identity should replace that of sex." - JK Rowling
SOCIETAL SHIFTS
The Brit Awards are to scrap the male and female categories for best artist, in an effort to be "as inclusive as possible".
According to Sky News, singer Sam Smith - who is non-binary - called for the change, saying they looked forward to a time when award shows were "reflective of the society we live in".
#HAVEYOURSAY
Acting and representation
On Monday, actor Eddie Redmayne expressed regret for playing the role of a trans woman in the movie 'The Danish Girl,' saying it was a "mistake".
The comments got us thinking, so we asked you all on our Instagram poll to share your thoughts.
84% of you disagreed with Redmayne, believing a trans role does not have to be played by a trans actor. Meanwhile, an overwhelming 99% of you felt an actor's sexuality should not have to be the same as the character they are playing.
Differing perspectives from subscribers;
"They are actors, their job is literally to pretend to be someone else."
"The problem is by not casting a trans actor there was an opportunity to give the community visibility that was missed, and it's a bit of a double standard given the plot of the movie."
MOST READ
- BBC News: Kevin Spacey to pay $31m for breach of contract
- The Guardian: Johnson 'losing the confidence' of the Tory party after rambling CBI speech
- The Financial Times: Where did all the workers go?
- Al Jazeera: Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed vows to lead army 'from the battlefront'
- The Irish Times: Four siblings lose challenge over ban from membership of NUIG societies
ON A LIGHTER NOTE...
Granny looking ahead to Black Friday...
