Yesterday I opened my mailbox and found intolerance, insensitivity, and disrespect. Despite the usually high journalistic standards, The Economist has failed us. This week’s cover depicts President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two main characters of the film Brokeback Mountain. For those who didn’t see the movie, one of the characters is murdered at the end of the film for being gay.
In their infinite wisdom, The Economist thought this was a good backdrop for mocking these two world leaders. I understand that The Economist is a historically conservative publication, though the last time I checked conservative did not equal bigotry. For the gay and gay-supportive community, this week’s issue is a travesty. It makes light of bullying and hate crimes. The editor(s) who approved this cover should be ashamed and issue a public apology.
My mantra for 2013 is “make something beautiful”. Sometimes in this quest it’s important to point out things that aren’t beautiful, things that are insidious, unacceptable, and rude. Such is the case with this cover of The Economist. I am sickened and saddened by the fact that in 2013 we still can’t celebrate love in all its forms and that a global publication that is held is such high regard feels empowered to ridicule the basic human right to love whomever we want to love.
I can see only one clear and swift way to rise up against this kind of intolerance: don’t buy The Economist and if, like me, you are a subscriber, cancel your subscription. Let them know that this behavior is inexcusable and will have consequences. We vote with our spending. Let the editors know that this type of act has no place in our society.
Christa Avampato 