People on social networks were really shocked just a few days ago by a video of two young Czechs who talked about an unpleasant experience with the Slovak comedian Fer Joke. Matúš and Jakub talked about sexual harassment. You can read more about the whole case.
After a few days, she commented on the scandal on the social network journalist Zuzana Kovačič Hanzelováwhich harshly criticized a similar incident of the actor Maroš Kramár in the past. “There must be room for correcting mistakes in society. Even those made by Fero Joke. When in 2020 JOJ TV broadcast how Maroš Kramár scratches the make-up artist’s ass, it really outraged me. The television voluntarily cut it into the program and no one found it strange,” she described the long-ago case.
He has his own experience. “I worked in television for a long time, I know how toxic the environment is. For years, the directors focused their shots on my breasts, I listened to idiotic comments and the make-up artists and costume designers also enjoyed themselves. In my opinion, the real scandal was how Maroš Kramár reacted to a situation that could happen. He talked about humiliated women who are envious because no one touches them,” she continued.
It’s still on his mind. “I often think about this situation in retrospect. She inadvertently triggered several other levels as well – the make-up artist Martina, who was involved, also enjoyed the boulevard in a really unpleasant way thanks to me. She herself said that they have been together on set for years and are friends, and according to her, it was OK. Even Maroš Kramár probably got more than he deserved“, she admitted.
“Even he has been taking it hard for years, it can be understood. When a company is under pressure from serious incidents, sometimes someone who does something stupid gets caught and years of frustration pours out. I would like to apologize to Martina Glaser. Today, I would comment on the situation differently. She didn’t deserve it,” she said to the make-up artist.
Hanzelová returned to the current case. “And now to today’s point. Matúš and Jakub uploaded a video on social networks in which they described what happened in Prague’s Lucerne after the event at which Fero Joke was present. They described how he inappropriately touched them when they took a selfie with him. They described it in great detail with a reaction that is completely natural – they froze. They talked about their experience very non-aggressively, politely and calmly” he thinks.
He approves of the comedian’s reaction. “Fero reacted in the best way possible in such a situation. He apologized, said it was unacceptable. It also quite honestly put me in a situation, what about it. Is it different when it’s a male-male dynamic? And how to deal with the fact that I know Fer and know that he is a kind person? Does it change anything about this situation? And how do we deal with the fact that the most down-to-earth homophobes will immediately abuse the situation and attack the entire community?” she asked herself.
It reminds the public of one thing. “If you belong to the group that says nothing happened, imagine yourself being drunkenly grabbing your crotch. You don’t know what the person standing across from you has behind. You have no idea how it hit him. And it doesn’t help anyone to play down how he felt about it. Sometimes even people we love do a terrible thing. Fero’s actions will certainly not remain without consequences. Neither in himself nor in his career“, she let herself be heard.
People’s reactions surprised her. “I was concerned about the behavior of many people who commented publicly and privately on this case. From homophobia to slutshaming (humiliating or criticizing people for their alleged or real sexual behavior, clothing or expressions of sexuality, editor’s note) of the victims. And since they are men, the instant belittling of what must have been really uncomfortable for them. Men also experience harassment and violence. Even a man like a mountain can have paralysis. Because that’s how the male and female brain works,” said Zuzana.
She also gave a specific example. “I was also moved by the fact that Nora Kabrhelová started to defend this incident by saying that the two of them came back for the photo after all. That Fero didn’t go after them. Congratulations. It’s the same category as when someone claims that a woman was begging for rape because she wore a miniskirt,” she wrote forcefully.
The comedian stated that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. “Fero also described in his apology that he was not able to handle the alcohol. I think it’s clear from his words that it’s a bigger problem than he’s probably willing to admit. Of course, this does not hold up as an argument, but alcohol is a serious problem in Slovakia,” said Hanzelová.
She herself does not know how to deal with the whole situation. “Fero apologized, and now we’re wondering what to do with it. Is that enough? Is it enough? What more could he know or should he do? I will openly admit that I don’t know. People make mistakes. If we do not allow them to correct them with sincere gestures, it will not be right in my opinion. Jakub and Matúš must first of all say whether it is enough in this case,” the journalist thinks.
Hanzelová knows Fero personally. “Life is varied and brings situations in which a person does not want to find himself. In which he does not know what to do at first. Fero Joke is a very nice person. On a personal and public level. He often makes us laugh, fights even for the weaker ones, and in many interviews he shows softness even in situations where the rest of us have become somewhat coarse. I can’t erase this side of him now,” she said honestly.
Even so, she is torn. “This does not change the fact that what happened was absolutely unacceptable. For all women and men who have ever experienced unwanted touching and attacks – I’m sorry. To the entire queer community, I’m sorry. For the fact that a part of society did not miss to use it for homophobia and hatred towards you. For the first time in my life, I am in a situation where someone I know well has made such an attack. It’s an interesting and formative experience,” she said to these groups of people.
“Ethics also count on the fact that people make mistakes. And then correction. Explanation, apology, concrete steps that mitigate the damage and restore trust. This is a basic framework for people who simply make mistakes. Even big ones. There must be room in society to correct our mistakes. As I know Fero, he will embark on this journey sincerely. I’m not sure if even this torn apart rude society,” added Hanzelová in conclusion. You can find her entire statement in the gallery.
