I admit that I laughed at the few tweets I saw last week bearing the hashtag #ThingsLongerThanKimsMarriage. (Like “This hashtag” and “Twitter’s character limit”—which is 140 characters, for those of the unTwitted.)
I’m not one to laugh at others’ misfortunes or heartaches. I am not a fan of reality TV as I’ve said before. I don’t like the fighting and backstabbing that is highlighted on reality shows. It’s not worthwhile or noble to bring out the worst in people, which, in my opinion, is exactly what reality TV shows strive to do. (What I’d really like to see, TV executives, would be shows that bring out the best in people. How about some of that?)
But a hyper-publicized marriage that lasts only 72 days? Seriously? I find it so completely ridiculous and am doubly glad we don’t have television. Not that I would have watched any of it, mind you—I don’t find that kind of thing interesting—but I’m glad I don’t have to suffer through all the media coverage of the planning, the wedding, and now its abbreviated ending after a mere two and a half months (almost).
It’s enough that it’s all over the internet. And I’ve successfully avoided it until I came across this link Rev. Susan Russell: A Thank-You Note to Kim Kardashian and had to click it. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s right on, and so well said. Here’s part of it:
I am not sure you can appreciate just what a gift it is to have the extraordinarily well-publicized news of the end of your hysterically hyped marriage come the very week our congressional leaders are set to begin debating the Respect for Marriage Act on Capitol Hill.
Seriously. As a marriage equality activist, I cannot thank you enough for your gift of the stunning example of how the gender of the couple saying “I do” clearly has absolutely nothing to do with respect for the institution of marriage. It is a gift — I promise you — that will keep on giving.
As we continue to work for family values that value all families and a protect-marriage movement that protects all marriages, we will have your example to add to Britney Spears’ 55-hour marriage, Larry King’s eight marriages and Newt Gingrich’s three (just to name a few) as proof positive that marriage needs protection, all right — but not from gay and lesbian couples who want to pledge to live together until death do them part.
If this can help people who really DO want to be married (and, inexplicably, are not allowed to in most states) actually be granted the right to marry, then there will be something good that comes from something so utterly ridiculous as a two-and-a-half-month marriage.
That’s all we can hope for, right? That good will come from something bad (or ridiculous). That’s always my hope.
Have a great day, everyone!