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When asked in an interview about Black Widow’s rumoured romance with the Hulk instead of Captain America or Hawkeye, Renner cheerfully responded with "she’s a slut".
Evans laughed and agreed. "I was going to say something along that line... a complete whore."
Now, looking at the interview myself, I have to say I think Renner at least is trying to play the role of the childish man insulting a woman because she rejected him. "She has a prosthetic leg anyway" he adds grumpily, but smiling so that you know his bad reaction is the joke. Honestly this joke would be funnier if so many men and boys didn't have this reaction in all seriousness all the time.
I'm honestly more bothered by Evan’s comment, who, when the interviewer goes on to say "whatever movie it is, she’ll just be the sidekick, she’ll be flirting away", Evans responds, "that’s right, just flirting with everybody".
OK. Let’s just recap. In a group of characters that includes Tony Stark, who has been known to regularly have one night stands with random women, and who flirts with everyone, it’s the only female character who is a "slut". Why? Because she flirts with more than one person, and she’s female.
The underlying belief is that it’s normal for men to sleep around, expected even, but that women have to remain "pure". So much so, that it’s normal for a male character to have one night stands, while a female character flirting with one person is enough to have her labelled a "whore". It’s really disheartening that this attitude still exists.
Evans and Renner have since apologised in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly. Evans’ apology, at least, fully acknowledges the problem and comes across as sincere:
"Yesterday we were asked about the rumours that Black Widow wanted to be in a relationship with both Hawkeye and Captain America. We answered in a very juvenile and offensive way that rightfully angered some fans. I regret it and sincerely apologise."
Renner’s apology is less sincere, and more a generic "I'm sorry you’re offended" non-apology:
"I am sorry that this tasteless joke about a fictional character offended anyone. It was not meant to be serious in any way. Just poking fun during an exhausting and tedious press tour."
Now, I know, I know. It was "just a joke". It’s "not serious" because it’s about a "fictional character". Honestly I'm sick of this attitude, not because it too often dismisses legitimate concerns, but because it greatly underappreciates and even insults the value and power of both comedy and fiction.
While comedy and fiction can both be simple, mindless entertainment with no point, consequence, or real value, both are often so much more than that. Both can and have helped to change the world. Both can and have been used either to punch up, challenging the position of the powerful, or punch down, helping to keep the marginalized under the heel of their oppressors.
For this reason, when a joke reinforces toxic and inherently sexist views that are held by enough people to still cause very real and effective harm, it’s not "just a joke". What it is, is two dudes casually reminding women that they, as men, have sexual freedom and body autonomy while we, as women, do not. Maybe it’s funny to people who have never really felt the effects of slut shaming. I can’t say I find it too hilarious.
Still, I accept the apologies, even Renner’s snarky one. I can understand thoughtless remarks during a stressed time. I just hope they can understand how damaging thoughtless remarks can be, and will consider that before casually labelling a woman, even a fictional, a "slut" again.
