There’s been a truly ridiculous amount of hue and cry over social media today in response to the unveiling of TIME Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue for 2016 which -- as should come to absolutely no surprise to any sentient being -- went to Donald Trump.
Now, having worked at the TIME Magazine news desk for 12 years, I’m obviously a bit biased, but even though I haven't worked there in eleven years, the idiotic annual debate still gets my dander up.
Repeat after me, won’t you?
TIME MAGAZINE'S 'PERSON OF THE YEAR' TITLE IS *NOT* AN AWARD! IT IS NOT AN ACCOLADE FOR HAVING DONE THE MOST GOOD!
Ostensibly, it is meant to go to the individual who has had the most profound effect on the year in question -- for good or ill (both Hitler and Stalin were Men of the Year). I'm not suggesting TIME has always made the right choice, but it's NOT a trophy.
For those of you saying TIME “sold out” by making TRUMP their pick, I say DO YOUR HOMEWORK! They’re merely fulfilling their stated objective. Trump owned 2016, for better or for worse. Who could argue with that?
TIME did sell out, however, in 2001 when they failed to make Osama Bin Laden their Person of the Year (they gave it to Giuliani, as you probably remember).
Moreover, for those who still see it as an endorsement, LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF HIM ABOVE! Look at the subhead (President of the DIVIDED States…). He’s positioned with his back to the camera and is shrouded in shadow. He looks like a fucking Harry Potter villain, for crying out loud. IT IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT!
Now, will Trump himself or his nation of acolytes recognize these nuances? Probably not, but that’s not the point. Trump sees everything as his trophy.
I would like to think, however, that the below flourish was intentional….(although it’s not the first time they’ve done that).
Recent Comments