Rare News Desk
On Wednesday, “Duck Dynasty” family patriarch Phil Robertson was suspended from filming following comments made to GQ concerning his views on homosexuality. Following the suspension, fans and commentators have become divided over whether Robertson should be punished for speaking his mind. The issue has raised many questions, from Robertson’s right to exercise free speech to the financial implications of the Duck Dynasty brand.
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Earlier this year retail giant Walmart severed ties with chef Paul Deen after Deen was sued for racial discrimination. Severing ties with Robertson and or the Duck clan could have much larger financial implications for Walmart.
From Forbes:
The big box giant is responsible for about 50% of this year’s incredible $400 million in Duck Dynasty-related retail sales, with Phil Robertson’s mug (along with his bearded relatives) gracing its bestselling t-shirt in both men’s and women’s apparel. Some Walmart stores in the south feature entire aisles devoted to the Louisiana duck hunters, selling everything from bedding to prayer devotionals adorned with their trademark camouflage and folksy catchphrases.
Walmart publicly dumped Paula Deen after the Southern chef’s headline-grabbing allegations of racism this past summer, although you can still find her cookware on Walmart.com. The question is whether the powers that be in Bentonville, Ark. believe Robertson’s vile homophobia will anger their shoppers the same way they clearly imagined Deen’s apparent racism would.
Fans of the program from across the country have flocked to defend Robertson’s right to speak his mind. Even former Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin has come to Robertson’s defense.
“Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us,” Palin posted on Facebook.
In the ensuing whirlwind of headlines and opinion, one plausible factor seems to have gotten lost. Was Robertson actually trying to get fired?
The always outspoken Robertson has endeared himself to Americans with his candor and honesty about his life and troubles. This honesty has shown through in several interviews over the last year where Robertson indicates his days on the program may be numbered.
In a July 2013 interview with Parade magazine, Robertson hinted of his impending departure.
At least one Robertson sees an end in sight. When asked how long he plans to be a part of the show he helped create, Phil says, “Not long. But I think it’ll go on without me.”
The family spokesman would later deny these rumors.
As recently as October, news leaked out that further hinted at Robertson’s exit. A feature story in Life & Style magazine quoted a family friend that believed Robertson had grown tired of the program. According to the source, Robertson had gotten angry at producers for adding in bleeps over curse words that were never even uttered.
“Phil has already admitted he wants out of the show,” a source told the magazine. “I think this could be his last year. I am sure they won’t let him leave easily, but I think it has gotten to be too much for him.”
Robertson opened up about his annoyance with the program in an interview over the summer. In addition to the added in bleeps, Robertson talked about his disdain that the show edited out portions of the families prayers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M
…so I said, why would you cut out ‘in Jesus name’? They said, ‘well those editors are probably doing that, they just think, you know, they don’t want to offend some of the Muslims or something’.
We signed a contract with them, OK, and its a workhouse, but what people have to understand…you have to be patient, you can’t turn that big ship quickly…There is a lot of depravity a lot of heathens entrenched in the United States.
