Here’s an example of one of Joan’s jokes. “That baby is ugly … I’ve never seen a six-month-old so desperately in need of a waxing,” she quipped to the crowd. Really Joan? Picking on a six-month-old baby’s brows is the best you can do? Pick on her Mom if you want. At least Kim Kardashain is a grown woman. But picking on her baby (or any baby for that matter) doesn’t seem funny at all.
I’m not exactly a fan of Kim Kardashian’s, but lately I find myself coming to her defense whenever her name comes up. Since announcing her pregnancy, Kim’s taken some serious hits in relation to her weight and pregnancy style. Hits that, in my opinion, no soon-to-be mother should have to endure. And while I find myself feeling sorry for Kim for having to endure relentless fat jokes and commentary, I also know she chose to be a public figure. Her baby did not.
I could go on and on about why it’s bad to pick on little kids’ looks, or anyone’s looks for that matter. I could even debate whether or not Joan Rivers is actually funny. But what I really want to say is just how disappointed I am in Joan Rivers. Joan was a trailblazer for women in the entertainment industry and one of the few successful female comics. She’a a notorious survivor and has had a long career in a male dominated industry for over 50 years. She was the first female host of a late night talk show and made it possible for female comics to have careers for years to come. And yet, she’ll pander for a joke about an ugly baby.
As a woman, mother and grandmother, I expect her to do better. I expect us all to do better. If mothers make our daughters fair game for mean spirited ridicule, how can we expect the rest of the world to treat them better? There’s so many grown-ups in the world doing ridicule-worthy things. Let’s pick on them. But picking on a baby for her looks? Now that is what I call ugly.
