IN this column last Saturday, I joined a chorus of community leaders in calling out the misogynistic comments of a Gannawarra councillor.
To quickly recap, Cr Garner Smith wrote this on Facebook after video emerged of Richmond footballer Dustin Martin touching a woman’s breast without consent: “I’d be more worried if he didn’t go in for a feel.”
The comments smacked of male entitlement whichever way you frame it, remembering too that this was a star footballer and role model to young boys whose behaviour Cr Smith was endorsing.
But despite wide condemnation, including from colleagues within his council, and amid calls for him to step down, Cr Smith continued to hold his ground and hit back.
This is what he wrote in a letter to the editor in response to the media coverage.
I have sat back and observed the reaction to my comments on Dustin Martin.
The constantly offended are in a spin because I dared say what everyday people were thinking.
My sarcastic comment treated the original story with the mocking contempt it deserved.
If you feel the need, view the video footage online. It is over five years old and, in its context, the most shocking thing about it is that someone managed to score some cheap shots with it.
As a result, I have been dobbed on, accused of being a sleaze, disgusting, unprincipled, sad, pathetic, radicalised right-wing, anti-science and someone who condones all sexual assault.
This barrage of threats, insults and intimidation amounts to nothing more than primary schoolyard bullying.
This unreasonable and irrational reaction does nothing to highlight respect for women, the original story and this over-the-top reaction potentially cheapens the issue.
There are two victims in this saga – Dustin Martin and his lady friend.
The perpetrators of this crime are the media, who should have left this sordid story in the gutter where they found it.
I think I shocked Nicole Chvastek last year when I used the words “common-sense” on the radio.
I have since joked that the media views common-sense as one of our filthiest C words. It appears little has changed.
As for my position as a councillor, I am fed up with those that act tough behind a keyboard but are frightened by people that hold a different view to them.
They would benefit from leaving their safe space and understand the real world, warts and all.
The day I am finished as a councillor, is the day I take a position simply because it is easier.
Cr Garner Smith
Right? So, a couple of takeaways from that letter, Garner.
Firstly, did you actually really label Dustin Martin a victim in this saga? Please tell me that was a typo?
Secondly, did you actually frame yourself as a bastion of “common sense”, an upholder of free speech for the “everyday” person’s views?
Because that is how I read it.
But then, nothing much about your response makes sense. It is riddled with contradictions.
You refer to the “sordid story” from the “gutter”, yet see no issue with the incident in question – so which part of it is sordid and from the gutter? Only the fact that it was released and not that happened?
You have an issue with the incident being covered, yet you felt the need (as a publicly elected official) to publicly comment on it, therefore feeding the news cycle that you claim to be bothered by?
Your comment was that you’d be more “worried”‘ if Dusty hadn’t gone for the grope of his “lady friend”, yet you lecture others on “cheapening”‘ the issue and doing nothing to highlight respect for women when they respond accordingly?
Am I missing anything, Garner?
Your stand was that Dusty not only had the right to grope his ‘lady friend’ but if he hadn’t groped her there would have been something wrong. That’s the hill as a councillor you are choosing to die on? Seriously?
And, lastly, what makes you think that people who express their opposition to your views are “frightened”?
Which part of speaking up against archaic sexist views indicates that we are frightened? News flash, Garner, we are not.
