In times of distress and despair, it is often our mothers who provide us with comfort and support. However, in Spain, Luis Rubiales, the head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has become an outcast due to a hug and a kiss he gave to congratulate the World Cup-winning player, Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, is standing up for her son by locking herself inside a church and starting a hunger strike to protest against what she sees as an unjust persecution. Facing a suspension from his job and a sexual assault investigation, Rubiales’ fate is now in the hands of these two women.
Angeles Bejar is determined to continue her hunger strike until her son receives justice. She demands that football star Jenni Hermoso “tell the truth” about the kiss that led to Rubiales’ downfall. Vanessa, Luis’ cousin and staunch supporter, declares that he has been judged prematurely and hopes Jenni will set the record straight. Meanwhile, Hermoso refutes the Federation’s claim that she said the kiss was not inappropriate, asserting that she did not consent to it and will not tolerate her words being questioned or fabricated.
But let’s pause for a moment and consider what exactly we are discussing here. Jenni Hermoso, a young and talented athlete, is surely exhausted but filled with excitement after becoming part of the team that won the World Cup. Caught up in the euphoria of the moment, she experiences an abundance of congratulations and encounters Luis Rubiales, her boss, who is undoubtedly thrilled about the victory. Being Spanish, Rubiales likely expresses his joy through physical affection such as hugs and kisses, which may differ from what a reserved Englishman might do in the same situation. Hermoso does not view Rubiales’ actions as sexual assault and is disappointed with the backlash from Spain’s feminist movement.
It is important to note that new footage on Twitter shows Hermoso joking with her Spanish teammates about internet memes featuring the kiss. So it’s understandable why Senora Bejar is furious. No one knows her son better than she does, and she fully believes in his innocence and enthusiasm in such interactions. While the act of grabbing his crotch in excitement during the World Cup final was inappropriate, describing the congratulatory kiss as sexual assault seems extreme, and his mother agrees. To those of us who have truly experienced sexual assault, it is insulting to diminish such a traumatic experience by equating it to a public display of affection. The Spanish feminist movement’s reaction to this incident, labeling it as an example of patriarchy overreach, does not assist in amplifying the voices of those who have genuinely suffered from assault. Such actions only undermine true feminism.
I personally don’t view the kiss as any form of assault. It was merely a proud man being overly exuberant in a moment that was undoubtedly one of the highlights of his career, just as it was for Hermoso. As a mother of sons myself, I would defend and support my children if they had done something genuinely wrong. But giving a woman a hug and a kiss in a moment of high exhilaration is something I would defend vehemently. While I may not go to the extreme of locking myself in a church or starting a hunger strike, I would certainly protest loudly in any way I could. So, I offer my support and best wishes to Senora Bejar and her son, with a reminder of the incredible power of a mother’s love.
On the topic of swimsuits, I have always disliked bikinis and their tendency to expose unflattering midriffs. Therefore, I applaud Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie in the summer blockbuster, for showcasing how stunning a perfectly fitting one-piece swimsuit can look.
I was surprised to read reports about the NHS Rainbow Badge Scheme and its alleged “erasure of women.” During my two-week stay at London’s Royal Free Hospital, which is part of the initiative, I did not experience any distress. As a patient, I was assigned to an all-female ward and bathroom, and nobody hesitated to ask for my name or status. It’s important to embrace progress and inclusivity without undermining or erasing the experiences of women.
I find it refreshing to watch a BBC Sunday night drama like “The Woman In The Wall” that takes its time to unfold a captivating and emotional storyline. Ruth Wilson’s performance as a woman whose baby was stolen at an Irish Magdalene Laundry is flawless, and the depiction of the evils committed against women in the name of the Catholic Church is as disturbing as ever. Truly brilliant, and I am hooked.
Lastly, I am puzzled by the recent trend of drinking red wine straight from the fridge. While white wine and rosé benefit from being chilled, red wine should remain warm to fully appreciate its rich flavors and inviting appearance. Let’s not ruin a good thing by altering its temperature.
Oh, and Shakespeare apparently agreed with my Grandma’s usage of “dinner” for midday and “supper” for bedtime. Although I apologize to my Grandma, I’ll stick with calling it lunch.
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