Should public figures get in trouble for their opinions?

Question

So curt schilling, a former MLB player and current ESPN analyst posted a meme about the stuff happening with trans people and bathrooms and it basically created an uproar and ESPN is now "investigating the matter".  I attached the meme, but this is not meant to be a trans discussion.  Personally, I find it kind of scary that people in the public eye are not allowed to have their own beliefs, whether I agree with them or not, offensive or not.  It's all such a PR show that these people have to remain silent on how they truly feel.  In a way I think that would be awful to have basically what you say be under a constant microscope and speaking your mind could result in your being fired.  Where is the line drawn on what's acceptable to say or what's acceptable to be fired over? What if employers fired people for their abortion stance, or for being involved in BLM movements? What happened to freedom of speech?

Answer

Public figures just like everyone else are entitled to their opinions. However, once they put them out there (especially on a platform like social media) they are accountable for them. He said something offensive and ignorant. That's on him to deal with the fallout from it.

Answer

Personally I think your job should not be at jeopardy for having any opinion.  It should be based on how well you do your job.  Is he good at what he does? I have no idea because I think baseball is terribly boring and don't watch.  But I do think it's a dangerous slope.  If this story used an example of a woman being fired for being pro choice or a POC who was fired for supporting BLM, I think people would be saying that is wrong.

Answer

Yes. We had an MP suspended then lost her job over stuff she posted on social media.

If you live in the public eye or out of it, own up to the crap you say.

Answer

NO! They are allowed to have their own freakin opinions. Sheesh!

Answer

People shouldn't have their livelihood taken away just because they said something "offensive" 🙄. The people who whine and complain about other people's opinions are evil. They want people to lose their job over an opinion? They take things too far IMO. I'm sure they too have unpopular opinions about different things and wouldn't like to lose their job over that.

Answer

Of course not. I can't believe we've come to a time where we're afraid for our jobs because of our opinions.

Answer

I feel like everyone is entitled to their opinions, but when you are a public figure it will be heard by more people than your average opinion. I guess it's up to them what kind of image they want to portray.

Answer

Many jobs require their employees to maintain a certain public image. This is nothing new. Nor is it limited to public figures.

Answer

Imo if you're a public figure, you should at least take into consideration the group that idolizes you. They don't all fall into the same category. Plus, you never know who knows who... You could be digging a deeper hole for yourself in the future.

Answer

Good question. On one hand, as a consumer I would opt to not watch/ listen to Curt Schilling. I'd be ok with that. I think it boils down to what is in your contract. If you violate it, then you could be terminated. Other figures (i.e. Rush Limbaugh) are purposely antagonistic, but you know that as a consumer and I'm guessing that's a huge part of his schtick.

Should public figures get in trouble for their opinions?

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