What Will It Take To Cancel Mel Gibson?

Hello, and welcome to The Reheat! Each week, I write a column summarizing the highlights of the podcast I co-host with Sadaf Ahsan. Our podcast, also titled The Reheat (what a coincidence!), re-examines the most salacious scandals of yester-year through a contemporary lens. Whether it’s a deep dive into Bennifer’s original love story from the 2000s or a meditation on the time princess Anne was almost kidnapped, we explain why each saga captured our imaginations back in the day. Sadaf and I also ask, would these stories be as scandalous if they happened in 2021? The answers to that question might surprise you!

Whenever we release a new episode, I share some of the juiciest tidbits right here, for Addicted Magazine’s lovely readers. Obviously, we hope these columns tantalize you enough to listen to our podcast. That’s where you’ll learn the fascinating details I don’t share here…

This week’s installment of The Reheat asks a burning question, what will it take to cancel Mel Gibson? The concept of Cancel Culture is polarizing. Some well-meaning people have been canceled for mistakes they made when young – and have since made up for. Cancel Culture can go too far, but why does it seem like the people who truly should be de-platformed and forgotten by society almost never are? 

Mel Gibson is an eye-opening case study in how rich white men frequently escape consequences for their sins, no matter how violent and hateful their transgressions are. The actor and director, made famous by films like Mad Max, Braveheart, and his anti-semitic depiction of Jesus Christ’s death, is still happily making movies in Hollywood – just check his IMDB page for proof! Well, here are a few reasons why that shouldn’t be the case! 

Mel Gibson Called Winona Ryder an Anti-Semitic Slur

In 2006, Mel Gibson’s anti-semitic comments to the Jewish police officer who arrested him on a DUI became international news. Among other things, Mel told the arresting officer he believed Jewish communities were “responsible for all the wars in the world.” At the time, Mel blamed the incident on his alcoholism. At the best of times, this is a cop-out, because substance use disorders do not inject people’s brains with prejudices they wouldn’t otherwise have. The superstar’s assertation that he wouldn’t normally use such language is also undermined by the time he asked Jewish actress Winona Ryder if she was an “oven dodger.” To round things out, Mel also has a history of making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments. Why is this bigot still making blockbuster movies? Oh, I remember! Because the world is broken in a way that specifically benefits white Christian dudes…

Mel Gibson Assaulted The Mother of His Child, While She Held His Child!

In 2006, Mel split with his long-time wife Robyn Moore. Soon thereafter, he began a relationship with Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva. In 2009, the couple welcomed a daughter named Lucia. But the relationship wasn’t a happy one; Mel was caught on tape confessing to having punched Oksana. As the story goes, Mel also hit the mother of his child while she was holding their eight-month-old daughter. When Oksana reminded her partner of his violence during the taped phone call, Mel responded, “You f-cking deserved it!” Those are not the words of a remorseful man!

After dealing with Mel’s death threats and an alleged incident where he knocked out her teeth, Oksana eventually filed a restraining order against her ex. We hope she feels safe today! 

Mel’s Movies Still Make Money (And Oscar Nominations)!

Somehow, there are still people willing to pay money to see films made by Mel Gibson. In 2016, Hacksaw Ridge earned over $180 million worldwide. Hacksaw Ridge was also a critical hit, garnering six academy award nominations, including a Best Director nom for Mel himself. When we reward violent and hateful people with money and accolades, we’re basically enabling them. So maybe society should stop? Is it good for the world that Mel Gibson continues to be a celebrity? Ask yourself that before paying to see his next movie… 

If anyone deserves cancelation, it’s this guy!

 

Sarah Sahagian

Sarah Sahagian

Sarah Sahagian is a feminist writer based in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such publications as Elle Canada, Flare, Bitch Media, The Toronto Star, and The National Post. She is also the co-host of You Do You: A Dating Podcast. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Gender Studies from The London School of Economics. You can find her on Twitter, where she posts about politics and live-tweets The Bachelor
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