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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSean Penn's son to paparazzi: Fuck off (insert ugly racial slur here)
Hopper Penn, the 19-year-old son of Sean Penn and Robin Wright, had plenty to say to a paparazzo who got too close as the father-son duo headed into a Beverly Hills building on Tuesday.
When a videographer followed the two Penns to the entrance of the building, Sean, who has had his own altercations with the paparazzi, calmly ignored the cameras and walked with his head down. His son Hopper, on the other hand, pushed the videographer and then unleashed an angry rant, which included both F-bombs and the N-bomb.
Unfortunately for Hopper, the entire incident was caught on video, natch, including the paparazzo yelling to ask the elder Penn if he taught his son to use such language. When Hopper calls the videographer a " expletive) N-word," the black paparazzo responds incredulously, "Oh word?!"
<snip>
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/03/27/penns-son-hurls-racist-homophobic-slurs-at-paparazzo/2024793/
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Her look tells the paparazzi that they are insects. Her words speak for themselves.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)He's 19, this comes down on him squarely.
cali
(114,904 posts)And sorry, but his parents raised him and his father set the example of lashing out at paparazzi.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Sean didn't say a word or lash out at the paparazzi once.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)bothered him. You know I do feel their kids should be off limits. Of course he shouldn't of used bad language. That is what they look for as their money shot. That is sad.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Condoning or supporting attacking photographers is not cool nor liberal.
Check out http://www.photographyisnotacrime.com/ run by a DU member.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)issue. Goodness, your making a mountain out of a mole hill to suggest a political issue. All am saying is that I wouldn't want someone I don't know taking pictures. His son isn't a actor and is entitled to privacy. That's all am saying. Maybe you would be fine with a stranger taking pictures without asking.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Doesn't matter if you are a public figure or not. Black letter law BTW.
It is a political issue in that cops, building owners, schools, and others actively try to stop pictures being taken of them, buildings, etc. The photographs are legal, the tactics being used are not. Illegal censorship and hiding of things is a conservative not liberal tactic.
Read through some of the stories on PINAC. You might want to reconsider your position that its not political at some level. Checkout http://www.carlosmiller.com
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Unless young Penn is ignorant about Youtube, he's seen it before...
His father isn't above chasing and kicking paparazzi.
Young people largely act in the same ways they've seen their parents act. His father isn't blameless.
antigone382
(3,682 posts)...harmful racist/sexist/heterosexist slurs to do so (and yes, physical violence as well). At this point I have no indication that Sean Penn has used slurs such as this in previous dealings with the paparazzi scum; as such I don't hold him accountable for his adult son's actions. If evidence proving me wrong comes out, then consider this statement retracted.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Physically assaulted while verbally abusing. A YouTube search isn't that hard to do...
So, if I read you correctly, you don't mind a 1%er physically or verbally abusing a paparazzi?
As for me, I'm pretty much dead set against ANYONE instigating physical contact in a confrontational way and Mr. Penn has been filmed numerous times doing so. Paparazzi are people trying to make a living just like anyone else. If Mr. Penn or his progeny don't like it, they can avoid any and all publicity, which we know they will NEVER do. Fuck them both. Young Mr. Penn is simply exhibiting behavior he's seen his dad exhibit before.
Lastly, if you watch the video of Young Mr. Penn's encounter with the paparazzi, HE physically assaulted the man with the camera WITHOUT being provoked. The situation caught on film and his seeming apology are as if they happened in two different worlds.
Floyd_Gondolli
(1,277 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)There are lots of famous people who handle paparazzi gracefully. Penn has not been one of them. That's the example he set for his kid.
Floyd_Gondolli
(1,277 posts)Only because I haven't lived in their home, and haven't seen their day-to-day interaction. I'm not a parent but I think it's fair to argue the glimpses we see -- good or bad -- may not necessarily reflect the entire picture.
As for the paparazzi in general: Who gives a fuck. I doubt you will find many bleeding hearts for their cause and rightfully so.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)Your OP implicates him in the use of hate speech. Why is his name attached to this if he himself did not do so?
And yes I am certain that this is on the front page of FR. He's a Liberal after all.
I have no knowledge of his son, or his politics, for all we know he is a Republican.
But unless Sean Penn, who has spent years in Haiti helping that country to recover from the disaster that destroyed it, actually used that language himself, his name should not be associated with it.
As for parents being responsible for what their adult children do, that is ridiculous. At what point is a 'child' responsible for their own actions?
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)All things being equal, a 19 years old possesses enough self-awareness to choose to either accept or deny all but the most subtle examples set before them.
I used the excuse of my father teaching me by example when I was that age, but I also realized it was just that-- an excuse, and that I and I alone constructed my actions, my words, and even the example I set for others.
Tempest
(14,591 posts)If he was raised in Sean's house, Sean has to take some responsibility for it.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)According to you and the other sanctimonious nags on this thread, any liberal parents who end up with a conservative child has to take responsibility for that too.
onpatrol98
(1,989 posts)Unless it's an apple falling from tree kind of thing. If I've heard it once on DU, I've heard a dozen times...children are taught to hate.
sufrommich
(22,871 posts)"I'm sorry I said it,but they made me do it". If that was my son,I'd be mortified and would have stopped him right there and told him to apologize for using racist,homophobic language or apologized myself for raising an asshole for a son.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)marshall
(6,665 posts)Following in his father's footsteps.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)ranting at paparazzi, no one would have much of a moral objection.
marshall
(6,665 posts)Junior had to learn that somewhere.
Response to marshall (Reply #10)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Tempest
(14,591 posts)Response to Tempest (Reply #30)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)surreptitiously record it.
Response to cherokeeprogressive (Reply #109)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)in our society--he must have learned it at home.
Tempest
(14,591 posts)Sociologists for several decades have been pointing this out.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)sufrommich
(22,871 posts)he was angry at someone,my first response would be "what the fuck is wrong with you ?". I'm not accusing Penn of being a bad parent,his sons excuse for using those terms is pathetic. There's lots of nasty words you can call someone without using hate speech.Personally,I would be mortified as a parent by both his use of those words and his lame apology.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"Junior had to learn that somewhere..."
I imagine we all of us learn quite a few things from many, many people other than our fathers.
Unless of course, one has specific and relevant information that Sean Penn is in fact, homophobic himself; idle speculation is just that-- merely idle and speculative, holding no more validity than assigning the blame to his third grade teacher or the clerk at the nearby McDonald's...
marshall
(6,665 posts)My point is that Sean Penn taught his son to be a raging asshole. Once you unleash that sort of hatred in a child you can't control where it is aimed.
Response to marshall (Reply #39)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
wickerwoman
(5,662 posts)Sean Penn fined in 1985 for assault and battery of a papparazzi- threatened to break someone's back with a rock:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1892685_1892691_1892748,00.html
YouTube video of Sean Penn kicking a papparazzi:
He was arrested in 1986 for dangling a photographer off a hotel balcony and fled the country rather than face attempted murder charges:
http://www.askmen.com/celebs/entertainment-news/sean-penn/penn-great-escape-from-murder-charge.html
He was also arrested in 1986 for punching someone for kissing his wife.
He spent 60 days in jail in 1987 for punching an extra on the set of Colors who was taking pictures of him:
http://articles.latimes.com/1987-06-24/local/me-6270_1_cathey
He was charged with domestic assult when he was married to Madonna and pleaded it down to a misdemeanor.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/hollywoods-history-of-domestic-violence/story-e6frfmqi-1111118865551
1998 he was arrested for hitting a photographer with a rock.
He and Robin Wright filed for divorce three times before finally separating for good surrounded by rumors of serial cheating and spousal abuse.
Sorry but you don't need to live in that house to suss he has anger and violence issues and just because he's a liberal and a good actor and went to Haiti doesn't mean he isn't also a raging asshole.
Response to wickerwoman (Reply #82)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
wickerwoman
(5,662 posts)doesn't necessarily make you either a saint or a good parent.
See also: Roman Polanski
See also: Alec Baldwin
We all have angels and demons. The point is that Sean Penn's demons are very public and well-documented. It is very plausible that his son picked up from Dad that it is OK to treat people with subhuman contempt when they have a camera in their hands. Penn Jr may have picked up the language at school, but the anger and the excuse to use violence are clearly all from his father.
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)shot at a helicopter on his wedding day to Madonna. I can see being annoyed, but shooting a shot gun at a helicopter? That's just crazy.
Sean has quite the rap sheet when it comes to violence and furious outbursts.
Not too surprised to hear his son is displaying the same type of behavior.
I don't know if he learned the "N" word from dad, but he certainly inherited the short fuse.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)Floyd_Gondolli
(1,277 posts)Tempest
(14,591 posts)And racism is one of them.
antigone382
(3,682 posts)People can pick up racism as a reaction against their parents, they can pick it up from their peer groups, etc. I know parents whose daughter basically joined a polygamist cult as an adult; they certainly didn't raise her to do that but she did. If someone raised in a normal family can develop such radical religious beliefs as this young woman did, I think they can develop racism as well.
JI7
(89,244 posts)loyalsister
(13,390 posts)Her mom was extremely embarrassed. I pointed out how often she uses it. Point taken - vocabulary modified
On the other hand she has a cousin who is a year older and acquired speech and other skills very quickly from being around her cousin. And is in an advanced program in school.
Kids learn from their parents and peers and they apply successful and unsuccessful skills in their learning.
Who knows what went on in the Penn household that would inspire this incident. It is true that Sean Penn behaved antagonistically toward the press in the past. How that affected his son is not known, but he did behave similarly.
Thus it may have had some influence, but we don't know.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)As far as I'm concerned the 'insulted' paparazzi does far worse things than Sean's son's racist remark. Anyone defending the paparazzi who use anything to spread shit about the famous should become famous and see what it's all about.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)with a camera.
sean penn and famous people like him are compensated adequately for their lack of privacy. if they didnt want to be famous they should have a different career.
dsc
(52,155 posts)just saying.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)being able to go everywhere in the world and be treated as though you still own it is adequate compensation for some lack of privacy
dsc
(52,155 posts)the mom who was literally driven to her death by the paparatzi.
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Being famous isn't something to be punished for by having paparazzi stalking you in every possible way.
No. I'm not kidding.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)that's some screwed up priorities
lunatica
(53,410 posts)None of those two things is to be commended or praised. But all I see here is people claiming the paparazzi are poor little victims of racism. That's fucked up.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)but the whole group of people that the words represent.
jeez. so my sympathy for a spoilt asshole and so little for groups of people that have been severely oppressed by these words
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I hope Sean took his son aside and straightened him out. Sean is a prime example of someone who has worked tirelessly for the Haitians after the earthquake. I assume he doesn't teach racism.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)and how powerful entitled kids seem to think this behavior is perfectly appropriate and half-assed apology
lunatica
(53,410 posts)But it's also about paparazzi who I don't see as victims when they stalk people. I think they're a scummy lot.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)so why should the black one have to suffer more?
or the gay one? or all gays because he likely used faggot as an insult in general. as though being a faggot is the worst thing there is
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I just don't see the paparazzi as victims. I didn't defend the kid. But everyone else seems to see fault only in the kid. I think there's plenty of fault to go around.
The only reason we even heard about this is that some paparazzi is using it to further their career. Maybe even the one who Sean's son insulted. He/she probably got paid for this.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)And no one should be subjected to that no matter what their profession.
You just blamed the victim. Congratulations. I guess if the victim has a lot more money then you do, then who cares.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)it really blows my mind
what exactly was the paparazzi doing that makes this kid the victim?
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)chose to use that language, but there are other things he could have said. If it were me, the "n" word or the "f" word (gay slur I mean) would never have been a consideration because I don't think those are nice things to say. The worst I might say is "fuck off". Why he felt that was ok, who knows. Could have been anyone in his family or friends. However would it surprise me if he learned from dad? No, but it could have been his bad choice in friends. All I know is if that were me, and my son spoke like that to them, I would have disciplined him on the spot, in front of everybody. I don't know what Sean did.
I know the press are a pain, but it doesn't give someone carte blanche to use slurs and hate speech.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)nessa
(317 posts)It is an attack on an entire race of people.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)But I'm not ever going to defend the paparazzi. They're invasive to the point of death sometimes. Some people may think that's OK because they stalk and pursue the privileged, but I don't. Stalking is stalking.
nessa
(317 posts).
lunatica
(53,410 posts)They're great at creating the story by being the catalysts of the stories yet somehow people give them a pass. It's the famous people losing their tempers or putting themselves out there or demanding attention. People eat it up and never give the paparazzi a second thought.
Being in front of the camera is the only thing that counts, because if you're behind it you're invisible. It's like cameras wander around on their own like busy little drones, unmanned, pursuing the famous.
There's plenty of blame to go around.
treestar
(82,383 posts)What an unfortunate name his parents have given him.
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)Yeah, celebrities and their weird choice in names
MADem
(135,425 posts)FreeState
(10,570 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)i mean, seriously.
i get REALLY angry at people sometimes, but when i yell at them i have never ever even in the greatest anger thought of using the n-word
fucking little shit
demwing
(16,916 posts)His neighbors. His friends. His associates. His family. His extended family. Books. The Internet. School. Work, and about a thousand other sources.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)i am just actually shocked that he thinks that under any circumstances this was ok to say.
demwing
(16,916 posts)I prefer being shocked than being jaded, and just shrugging our way through the day as the world goes to hell around us.
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)who has done tireless work in New Orleans after Katrina and then started a foundation in Haiti to help after the earthquake. I wouldn't think a racist would do that sort of thing but as I said, I could be naive.
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)it doesn't seem logical based on some things he has done for people. I don't recall him ever using slurs in his encounters with the press, I just know he does get angry and sometimes has lashed out physically. He's a bit of a hot head for sure, and I don't know his heart but I've never noticed him using slurs. It's entirely possible Hopper learned this from other people. I do hope that Sean explained to him that it is not acceptable.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)I find it intriguing that only bad behavior is attributed to dads.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)men are oppressed. at no point did i imply it, infact i stated clearly in this thread that i dont necessarily think its his father
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)this could be the dad is because Sean has exhibited unacceptable behavior in the past - but however I've never heard about him using a slur. I don't know much about Robin, I mean she seems nice but of course I do not know the family. It's not always attributed to just the dads, many people in this thread have said "parents" too.
JVS
(61,935 posts)datasuspect
(26,591 posts)some of the guys at work call each other "black" or "joe" or "nigga" or "folks" and a bunch of other stuff, but they are mostly chicago latino and african american street guys, several with gang/prison histories.
i would catch bits and pieces of conversations:
"hey folks, what you on?"
"i'm fiddin to cut those bitch ass cards"
"nah, nigga, they need UV coat"
etc. etc.
it's street argot/slang to them, a language they spoke because of common background.
if i tried to interact with them on that level, i'd look like the biggest square on earth and it would be disrespectful because of my position and because i have authority/responsibility over/for them.
but i don't look down on them and they don't take as disrespectful among themselves because of shared culture.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)Seemed to make the situation a bit more intolerable...
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)1- Paparazzi are rude troublemakers.
2- Penn's son is a jackass.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)His father is a Liberal who has worked for the past several years in Haiti. He is well known, is wealthy and as far as I know, has used his position to do good in this world.
His son? I didn't even know he had a son. The son as far as I know, is not a well known, powerful figure. Attaching the name of a person who has, as far as I know, never been known to use hate speech, on the contrary, is something I would expect to see done to a Liberal Democrat like Sean Penn, on FR.
Ron Reagan, eg, does not support his father's policies or party. By the logic here, he should be connected to his father's terrible policies, and NOT to his own independent work and opinions.
So just how is Sean Penn, any more than Ronald Reagan, responsible for what his adult son does?
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)Kids don't always learn unacceptable behavior from their parents, of course. Him getting angry with the paparazzi is just like Sean, he may have inherited that short temper which is a genetic trait. However, am I to assume he learned the slurs from either of his parents? No, I can't assume that. I wouldn't be surprised really if dad has some influence there, but I kind of doubt it. I think what makes it interesting to people is that you would expect better of someone who's father helped out after Katrina and Haiti and also played a gay politician and seemed fairly supportive in Harvey Milk's freedom to be what he was. But I don't know his real heart either. Again though, he could have learned this from anyone, not just mom and/or dad.
mrdmk
(2,943 posts)The USA Today just sunk lower than the paparazzi who invade peoples private lives.
For those of you who indigent, welcome to the all about nothing trap.
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)Alllllllll rinsed away by the fact he's a liberal.
All is right with the world.
Response to Dreamer Tatum (Reply #70)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)Glad you replied... I enjoy riling you.
Response to Dreamer Tatum (Reply #72)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)to know your opinion of Liberals.
Raine1967
(11,589 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)We mustn't offend the delicate sensibilities of the oh-so-polite paparazzi.
They are such wonderful examples of the very best humanity has to offer.
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)When applied to certain people.
Noted.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)Assume stupid falsehoods much?
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)The story is the slur. You assailed the victim of the slur.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)I said nothing even close. Welcome to gone. the next words I'll see from you will read, "You are ignoring this member." Have a nice life. Bye Bye.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)sufrommich
(22,871 posts)everybody's sensibilities. It's not OK to use those words no matter who they are directed at.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)... to provoke you is okay?
Whatever you say, pal.
sufrommich
(22,871 posts)But so what? Are racist,homophobic insults OK if they're being used against an unsavory person?
99Forever
(14,524 posts)Funny thing that selective outrage, eh?
sufrommich
(22,871 posts)in your space you would be OK with calling him a n_____r or a f____t ? What does selective outrage mean in this case ? Am I supposed to agree that the situation called for racial,homophobic insults? Is there a list of situations in which it's OK to hurl n____r and f_____t at someone?
99Forever
(14,524 posts)If I need to explain your selective outrage to you, then you won't get it anyway. Why waste both of our time?
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)with the person holding the camera... and then tell me physical contact was unavoidable.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)Had the lowlife paparazzi not initiated the entire incident by invading someone else life, it wouldn't have happened, period. Furthermore, this scumbag paparazzi is now cashing in on the conflict it caused. I don't believe in rewarding despicable behavior from a despicable person.
Zax2me
(2,515 posts)So, Sean Penn gets the free pass card?
Okay...
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/06/09/harvard-researcher-says-children-learn-racism-quickly/gWuN1ZG3M40WihER2kAfdK/story.html
Children learn attitudes about race at home
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/19/doll.study.reactions/index.html?_s=PM:US
http://www.babble.com/toddler/racism-is-a-learned-behavior-in-children/
appacom
(296 posts)The little shit
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)anger issues his entire life that stem from being named Hopper.
Catherine Vincent
(34,488 posts)Why not just say f'ing f? The N word wasn't necessary. Btw, I hate the f'ing papparazzis.
Still Blue in PDX
(1,999 posts)Things have sure changed since I was a young'un.
No judgment, just an observation.
Safetykitten
(5,162 posts)I would venture a guess that the F word and the N word are used rather freely among them and the pals.
Apophis
(1,407 posts)Two qualities I HATE in a person.
There's no excuse for his behavior.