Did The ‘New York Post’ Go Too Far With Jared Rape Double Entendre?
In response to the news that former Subway Spokesperson Jared Fogle has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in regard to the charges of possession of child pornography and traveling across state lines, to New York, to pay for sex with underage girls, the New York Post has included a rape double entendre as the headline to today’s cover story.
The New York Post cover today reads, “Enjoy a footlong in jail,” making light of the similarity in shape between a Subway sub and a penis, as well as the culture of rape that pervades much of the U.S. penal system.
Many readers took to Twitter to express their support for, and alternatively disgust with, the New York Post headline. The New York Post began to trend on Twitter this morning.
People don't understand this is what the New York Post puts on newsstands EVERY DAY in NY. We've seen worse jokes. pic.twitter.com/4FU62M6gMU
— Jake Baldino (@JakeBaldino) August 20, 2015
The Gothamist, another publication with roots in New York City, pointed out that President Obama has specifically asked media outlets to refrain from making prison rape jokes. President Obama was quoted in early July with regard to rape jokes of the type gracing the cover the New York Post today.
“We should not tolerate conditions in prison that have no place in any civilized country… We should not be tolerating rape in prison, and we shouldn’t be making jokes about it in our popular culture. That is no joke. These things are unacceptable.”
The New York Post point of view appears to be that, if Jared raped and victimized underage girls, doesn’t he deserve whatever he gets? Obama’s answer, that seems to have escaped the editors of the New York Post, is that rape is wrong — as well as being one of the most serious criminal acts in the U.S. legal system. Rape is a criminal act no matter who the victims are — including Jared’s victims, and Jared himself. Civilized nations like the United States must insist on a higher standard from publishers and citizens. Put simply — two wrongs don’t make a right.
Does this mean that those who believe the New York Post went too far, somehow believe that Jared is any less culpable? Of course not. Jared Fogle is a criminal who traveled to New York and paid for sex with underage girls for many years, while living a rather gifted life as the national spokesperson for Subway — he deserves the full brunt of the U.S. legal system, which does not include rape as a punishment.
As Twitter user Jake Baldino points out, this is nothing new for the New York Post. New York residents are well accustomed to the publication’s style. Another New York Post article, published in July, focused on following a homeless New York resident around New York City and photographing his urination habits.
[Screenshot of New York Post Cover]
