Taking a Stand! A Follow-Up...

First of all, I would like to say thank you to all of my friends, and many golfers whom I have yet to meet, who supported my decision to post how I felt about the video.

There are a few things I would like to stress.

1) I never expressed this as reflecting on the Flint Town Flyerz as a group. If you noticed, they were not mentioned in my post. At the end of the day, I was happy with the tournament, and Mark Stephens was a very accommodating TD.

2) Originally, I did send a private message to Rob. But as I thought more about the situation, the more I felt that I should "Take a Stand" against all of the "grab-assery" that goes on in this sport. Women, in general and in the sport, deserve to be treated as more than eye candy, or as gratuitous fodder for others' entertainment.

3) I specifically named Rob Belprez because he assumed personal responsibility for his video by posting it on his personal DGRUS profile. (It is unwise to f*** with a feminist law student)

4) I did not imply that Rob had any malicious intent, and frankly, I do not care what his intent was. It was wrong. PERIOD!

5) I will not apologize for being offended! Nor am I any less offended because some individuals are telling me I should not be because it was “harmless.” If Rob is offended that I went public with this, then he will probably think harder when deciding what to include in his videos next time. With any luck, others will do the same.

Far too often, men (and women) turn a blind eye to this type of behavior. I am not one of those people. I am constantly harassed, both on and off the course, and while I try to take everything with a grain of salt, it makes me sick to think that there are guys out there that think I should not be making an attempt to stop it, simply because some find it funny, or because Rob “didn’t mean to offend me.”

I get the feeling that there are many who are made uncomfortable by my post, and want the conversation to just end already. While I do believe that the discussion has taken a turn for the worse, too bad!!! Thank Rob.

To Brent: I hope that someday you wake up and smell the shit, because life is not a bed of roses. The fact of the matter is that women are subjected to all sorts of unacceptable treatment by men day in and day out, no matter where they go.

As one of my friends so accurately pointed out, I did not cause this. If the picture had been left out, there would have been no discussion to be had. I will say though, that it is rather perverse to be taking pictures of parts of girls' bodies from a distance without their knowing, whether they are then publicly posted or not.

I hope that any woman who experiences something like this, even if it is to a lesser or greater degree, will stand up for herself, publicly if the situation calls for it. There is no reason that I, or any other, should have to put up with being treated like this, or keep quiet about it when it happens.

Let’s keep it classy people!

[Garrett Graham]

well said Kira

[matt51776]

Well said. This incident was unfortunate and I'm glad they dealt with it in a reasonable manner, and quickly.
I'm glad they took it down, and that at least some people are discussing the bigger picture. Maybe thats the good that will come of it. We have enough trouble attracting female players, we don't need incidents like this.

I think you absolutely have to speak up about it and it should be public. I think there is value in making sure someone who also may not mean any harm doesn't do something similar.

[4U2NV]

Amen... Stay Strong and cool Kira!

[Chad Curtis]

Good post. Let's all do our best to keep it classy and help set a good example for others.

[Steve Hickey]

Preach it Kira! Glad to see someone stand up and attempting to make a difference in this world!

[eric beich]

2 thumbs up !!

this one made me smile, thanks :)

[Rev. Bob Klingler]

Very well said! I have three daughters and I appreciate you taking a stand because no woman should be treated the way you were. I love this sport and hope that it keeps growing, for women and men. Thank you!

[JCthrills]

Good points indeed. There's no question the ending of the video was in bad taste. As was even taking the picture.

On the line of women being objectified in our sport while using this incident to start the subject we must also look at a couple other things:

1, 08's Lizard games @ Am Nats.
2, Disc Girls Gone Wild. using that name surely guides minds to the darker side.

Someone mentioned banning Rob from events or from videoing @ events. I haven't seen this vid but I have watched some of Rob's other work. I'm sure he's learned his lesson & we'll see better more appropriate video's in the future. There was also mention of Rob pointing out that Kira wanted to make a big deal out of it, then a slam on him for that statement. The slam was not needed. Kira indeed wanted to make it public so a lesson could be taught/learned.

[Pat Burke]

I would also call Terry Calhoun and have him take that down. and probably have words of my own for the F**k taking the video. Anyway's well said Kira!

[Adam]

Well said Kira.. I have 2 little girls, that love to putt with daddy in the back yard, and would chop a mother F***ers nuts off if he posted some bull sh** like that. I would like to thank you for standing up for not just yourself but this awsome sport we grow to love. I would love to see that the next vedio posted by this(ROB)is of you wupping his a** on the course.Dont be sorry. Simple minded mother f***ers. Nothing against the flint town flyers(bad a** golfers) but maybe they should get someone else tape the next tourny. Thanks agian Kira, SAY IT LOUD SAY IT PROUD....

[Rescue]

Wow. So tastefully put. Your points would be held in higher regard without the hate and the "F" bombs behind them. There is no need for that. What was done was tasteless without a doubt, but those comments are as well.

[stevo]

all good points... but i hope nobody strokes out about this.