Current:Home > StocksMaria Shriver Shares the Importance of Speaking Out Against Harrison Butker -Excel Money Vision
Maria Shriver Shares the Importance of Speaking Out Against Harrison Butker
View
Date:2025-04-17 16:19:00
Maria Shriver is happy to use her platform to call timeout on positions she stands against.
Which is why the 68-year-old called out Harrison Butker's recent commencement speech, in which he shared his beliefs that women's true roles are in the home and not in the workforce.
"I try to use my voice where I think it's necessary," she told E! News at the Alliance for Women in Media's Gracie Awards May 21, pointing out, "I think this is a night about women speaking out."
And on the response her reaction garnered—including praise from Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager—the journalist admitted, "It seems to be huge." (For more from the Gracies, tune into E! News tonight, May 22 at 11 p.m.)
Harrison's May 11 commencement speech at Benedictine College—during which he touched on topics such as abortion, the role of the church and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as saying the female students "are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world"—quickly grew in infamy on social media. And amid the growing controversy, Maria expressed her dismay at the NFL player words.
"What point was Harrison Butker really trying to make to women in his graduation speech about their present day life choices?" she wrote as part of a lengthy response on X, formerly Twitter, May 16. "Did he really want them, aka us, to believe that our lives truly only begin when we lean into the vocation of wife and mother?"
And while noting the right to free speech, Maria—who shares kids Katherine, 34, Christina, 32, Patrick, 30, and Christopher, 26, with ex Arnold Schwarzenegger likewise pointed out women "have a voice have the right to disagree."
"As a woman who has leaned into my vocation of living a meaningful life and working inside and outside the home to not only raise good humans but also raise up our country in various ways, "she noted, "I think it's demeaning to women to imply that their choices outside of wife and motherhood pale in comparison to that of homemaker."
She added, calling out Harrison's role as kicker on the Kansas City Chiefs, "I will not tell Mr. Butker to stick to kicking, but I would suggest next time he speaks to women first and listen to someone with a clearer take on where most women find themselves in 2024."
Following the largely negative reaction Harrison's speech received online, the NFL made a statement distancing itself from the 28-year-old's comments.
"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," the league's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said in a statement to People. "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
But while many celebrities have spoken against Harrison's comments, others have come to his defense. Keep reading to see how many celebrities have reacted to the controversial speech.
- Reporting by Nikki Novak
The "Bones" singer reacted to Harrison's speech with a reference to a social media trend in which women say whether they'd rather encounter a bear or a man while alone in the woods.
Under a video of the NFL player's speech, Maren wrote on her Instagram Story, "I choose the bear."
"What point was Harrison Butker really trying to make to women in his graduation speech about their present day life choices?" Maria wrote on X, formerly Twitter, May 16. "Did he really want them, aka us, to believe that our lives truly only begin when we lean into the vocation of wife and mother?"
"Look, everyone has the right to free speech in our country," she continued. "That's the benefit of living in a democracy. But those of us who are women and who have a voice have the right to disagree with Butker."
"I don't understand why everybody's knickers in a twist," the Everybody Loves Raymond actor shared in a video. "He gave a commencement speech. The audience applauded twice during the speech and gave him a standing ovation at the end. So clearly they enjoyed what he was saying. The guy is espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine."
"So what? It's his opnion, he can have one," she continued. "He's not a monster for stating what he believes."
"I like when people say what they need to say—he's at a Catholic College, he's a staunch Catholic," she said during the May 16 episode of The View. "These are his beliefs and he's welcome to him. I don't have to believe them, right? I don't have to accept them. The ladies that were sitting in that audience do not have to accept them."
"I'm okay with him saying whatever he says and the women who are sitting there if they take his advice, good for them, they'll be happy," she added. "If they don't go for them, they will be happy a different way. That's my attitude."
While emphasizing "how much this guy is not like me,” the TV host did say OF Harrison's speech during Real Time, "I don’t see what the big crime is, I really don’t.”
He continued, "Like he’s saying some of you may go on to successful careers, but a lot of you are excited about this other way that people, everybody used to be and now can. Can’t that just be a choice too?"
The wife and daughter of the Kansas City Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt, spoke out following the team kicker's controversial statements.
"I've always encouraged my daughters to be highly educated and chase their dreams," Tavia, who also shares daughter Ava Hunt, 18, and son Knobel Hunt, 20, with Clark, wrote on Instagram, alongside throwback pics of herself with her kids. "I want them to know that they can do whatever they want (that honors God). But I also want them to know that I believe finding a spouse who loves and honors you as or before himself and raising a family together is one of the greatest blessings this world has to offer."
Gracie, 25, then told Fox News' Fox & Friends, "I've had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up. And I understand that there are many women out there who can't make that decision. But for me and my life, I know it was really formative and in shaping me and my siblings into who we are."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (5114)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Apple Vision Pro makes triumphant appearance courtside on Celtics fan's face
- Victoria Monét Wins Best New Artist at 2024 Grammys
- Why Kelsea Ballerini Missed the 2024 Grammys Red Carpet
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- House plans vote on standalone Israel aid bill next week, Speaker Johnson says
- See King Charles III Make First Public Appearance Since Hospital Release
- How Las Vegas evolved from Sin City to Super Bowl host
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Stevie Wonder pays tribute to Tony Bennett at Grammys: 'I'm going to miss you forever'
Ranking
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Why Gwen Stefani Felt Selfish During Early Days of Motherhood
- Taylor Swift wore white dress with black accessories on Grammys red carpet
- Ben Affleck Leans Into “Sad Affleck” Memes in Dunkin’s 2024 Grammys Commercial
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs perform moving duet of 'Fast Car' at the 2024 Grammy Awards
- 16-year-old killers of U.K. transgender teen Brianna Ghey sentenced to life in prison
- Why Gwen Stefani Felt Selfish During Early Days of Motherhood
Recommendation
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Horoscopes Today, February 4, 2024
Tribal sovereignty among the top issues facing Oklahoma governor and Legislature
Over 100,000 Bissell vacuums recalled over potential fire hazard from a hot battery
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
See King Charles III Make First Public Appearance Since Hospital Release
Dr. Cornel West Is Running to Become President of the United States. What Are His Views on Climate Change and the Environment?
The 58 greatest Super Bowl moments in NFL history: What was all-time best play?