Famous actors can’t even write a tribute to someone without being hounded by social justice warriors (SJWs) to repent. In the latest case of insane outrage, a magazine writer shamed actor Steve Martin into deleting his tweet commemorating Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, remembered best for her role as Princess Leia Organa.
“When I was a young man, Carrie Fisher she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She turned out to be witty and bright as well,” Martin tweeted on Tuesday, after news had broke that Fisher had died that day.
Steve Martin’s tribute to Carrie Fisher which inspired controversy.
Somehow, this made Martin the perfect scapegoat for New York Magazine‘s Claire Landsbaum a couple hours later. Her column about Carrie Fisher’s dislike of being a “sex symbol” seemed a veiled excuse to brand Martin with the “sexist” label.
Of course, “sex symbol” is a one-dimensional reading of her character, who was a brilliant tactician, a strong rebel leader, and an ace shot with a blaster. And yet, with the launch of George Lucas’s Star Wars trilogy in 1977 — and especially thanks to her infamous metal-and-leather bikini in 1983’s Return of the Jedi — that’s exactly what Fisher became on an international scale.”
According to Landsbaum, Martin’s tweet is one in a long series of offenses against Fisher, including jokes on the show Friends and a Philadelphia dad’s complaint about a scantily clad Leia action figure. “That characterization of Leia — as a wet dream for prepubescent men — is something Fisher spoke out against her entire career,” the New York Magazine writer argued.
“So remember Fisher for her immense talent, her outspoken feminism, and her moving commentary on mental health — not for the way she looked onscreen,” Landsbaum finished with a jab.
Indeed, it is true that Fisher spoke out against the objectification of women, and it is wrong to make women purely sex objects. But Martin’s tweet didn’t do that. He praised her beauty, and went on to add that she was “witty and bright” — two attributes that do not boil her down to a “sex symbol.”
Twitter users got the message, loud and clear — it is sexist to compliment a woman for being beautiful. This was too much for many of them.
Princeton Professor Robert P. George decided not to “cave” like Steve Martin. “I’ll say it: Carrie Fisher was beautiful and smart and witty. Sue me.”
Since Steve Martin caved, the honor of banjo pickers is on the line. So I'll say it: Carrie Fisher was beautiful and smart and witty. Sue me
— Robert P. George (@McCormickProf) December 29, 2016
One of the most popular responses came from Peter Cook, a self-described “misanthrope” who doesn’t “like people.” He diagnosed those offended about Martin’s tweet as “addicted to outrage.”
If you were upset by Steve Martin’s tweet about Carrie Fisher, congratulations! You are officially addicted to outrage.
Now, seek help.
— Peter Cook (@_Peter_Cook) December 28, 2016
Even some liberals denounced this as “PC nonsense.”
Criticizing Steve Martin for saying Carrie Fisher was a beautiful creature is the kind of PC nonsense that gives liberalism a bad name.
— David Edward Burke (@DavidEBurke) December 29, 2016
Another user attacked “the most egregious part” of this entire episode: “A 71 year old [sic] man let himself be #bullied into deleting a condolence.” As Trump would say, “Sad.”
The most egregious part of #SteveMartin #CarrieFisher tweet 'fiasco'? A 71 year old man let himself be #bullied into deleting a condolence.
— Burt Zerker (@BurtZerker) December 28, 2016
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