Whether it’s allegations of substance abuse, making sexually explicit remarks, and a slew of other public behavior labelled as “out of the ordinary,” Toronto mayor Rob Ford just can’t seem to catch a break. He has been scrutinized by the Canadian press ever since his emergence onto the political stage, but recently his behavior has picked up by the international media, including American comedy programs such as Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show.
Recently, Mayor Ford has been under the spotlight for the shocking and inappropriate comments he made to reporters on the morning of November 14 in regards to the sex life of he and his wife, Renata Ford. Ford claimed to have made the comments were made in defence against allegations that he had sexually harassed his former policy advisor, Olivia Gondek. The allegations had been published based on court documents released on November 13. The day after, Ford shocked reporters, as well as the Canadian and international public by saying, “[the allegation] says I wanted to eat her p***y and I have never said that in my life to her. I would never do that. I’m happily married and I’ve got more than enough to eat at home.”
Ford apologized for his graphic comments later that day at a press conference while his wife stood to next to him, a scene all too familiar to those who have followed the sagas of Anthony Weiner and Elliot Spitzer, two other politicians whose controversial personal lives culminated in apologetic press conferences with supportive spouses by their sides.
I am not here to debate whether or not Rob Ford had extramarital relations. I’m not even going discuss the ethical boundaries of Ford’s obvious transgressions in the eyes of the law and in his career as mayor of Toronto. Rather, what concerns me the right Ford apparently thought he had to defend himself by making derogatory statements about his wife. Out of the numerous vile acts that Ford has committed over the past few years, this tops the list in my book. When did it become okay to use a woman’s body as a tool to save yourself from criticism, to prove that you love your family and would never engage in extramarital conduct? The answer is that it was never okay and it never will be.
Ford’s comments made personal images of his wife available to the public without her consent. His action placed Renata Ford in a weak position and made her the object of a sexist and degrading public gaze, a position that many high profile women have had to contend with. Renata Ford rarely makes public appearances but she had chosen in this instance to make herself seen in order to support her husband, as so many other political wives have done in the past in similar situations. Her uncomfortable stance as she stood just centimeters away from him at his public apology said it all.
Mayor Ford has a tough road ahead, which means he will need the support of the ones closest to him more than ever. On November 15, the Toronto City Council removed some of his mayoral powers, all but reducing his role to “ribbon cutting,” according to an article in the Huffington Post. While Ford faces his uncertain and cloudy future in the public eye, his wife and family should be kept out of the picture.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2…
http://www.thestar.com/news/ci…
http://www.chfi.com/tag/rob-ford/
Photos sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2…