So far, within this season of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker really seem like they want to touch on a lot of different aspects of culture itself. Not only are they going after specific news topics, but the creators of the clever, long-running comedy are also helping to point out that the offenders can be just as bad as the offendees. They’ve run with the idea that once people gain a sense of power or superiority they automatically act as though they are above everyone else. It’s the biggest problem with the internet: give everyone a voice, and they immediately assume they are an authority figure now.
Post-Yelp vs. restaurants battle, Cartman finds himself at the center of being body shamed after posting a shirtless picture on the internet. This opens up an episode tied around everything shaming and how, once again, the offenders can sometimes be just as bad as the offendees depending on the situation. While Cartman is technically the victim in the situation, he’s the one who put a photo onto the internet knowing full well negative comments can come from it. I love that South Park had Cartman take advantage of PC Principal’s personality, as he defends Cartman throughout the entire scenario. Additionally, we also visit Randy in the recently opened Whole Foods, where he is shamed by the cashier for not donating a dollar to starving children, which in this case makes him the “offender” while still being shamed for his decision.
The result of Cartman’s apparent breakdown over being fat shamed has Butters stuck and required to sift through all of Cartman’s social media comments and re-type the positive ones for Eric to physically read each day. Monitoring one person’s social media is hectic enough, but PC Principal continues assigning Butters more and more people to take care of, which causes his downfall. While it’s entertainign to watch Butters slowly become more and more worn out from everything, I think it’s even funnier to see the celebrities in the episode pop up more and more. Both past and current celebs who have been exposed to some sort of body shaming become Butters’ new clients.
Randy eventually can’t stand everything he’s being put through; day in and day out he purchases lunch from Whole Foods only to be harassed by the cashier more and more. Poor Randy is forced into announcing to the entire store he won’t donate money, and even has to pull a sandwich out of a cardboard cutout orphan’s mouth to get his change. Things have clearly gone too far, so he decides to start a community and campaign against the shamers. The episode twists and turns to make its point, but Randy pretty much sums it up that things are getting out of hand. Not only have people gone too far with shaming those that don’t share their same beliefs, but now people are shaming the original shamers.
That’s a mouthful.
Essentially, going too far can give anyone a strong case of superiority complex. We’re all allowed to have opinions but there will be equal or more opposite opinions out there that are just as valid. Everyone needs to realize this. It’s funny, because South Park, as a town, is almost completely materialistic and superficial, and its residents just want to keep up the appearance that they are culturally hip without actually acting that way. Randy shops at the Whole Foods because he needs everyone to see him being health-conscious as he shops at the new upscale place grocery store. Nobody forces him to go there everyday, but he continues to go and put up with the harassment all of the sake of being seen there. The same thing goes for Cartman; post a shirtless picture on the internet, and you’re leaving yourself vulnerable for everyone to pick on.
While nobody should feel bad about themselves, people at least need to be real and understand that nothing is perfect and someone out there is going to disagree with you. Whether you’re the offender or offendee, keep your emotions and opinions in check while respecting the opinions of others. I think my favorite moment in “Safe Space” is when PC Principal realizes he’s become what he despises, and that in forcing or shaming Butters into all of this work, he couldn’t take it anymore. Of course, mainstay characters like Cartman and Randy don’t realize their fault in what’s transpired, but it’s the newest character who can openly admit his faults and change.
This was another solid entry from South Park, and I love that the show hs spent the full season calling out the country’s culture in general. Things have gotten to the point where nothing can be said or done because it might offend someone, which is good to be aware of, but not something that should control culture. I was really happy to see them include Vin Diesel, the most recent target of body shaming. Regardless of how Vin Diesel looked in the shirtless photos taken of him, it shouldn’t matter, andposting a picture of his abs a couple days later plays into the idea that he felt the need to prove he was acceptable according to society’s standards. It doesn’t matter what people think as long as you’re happy with yourself and what you believe is right.
Other thoughts:
- PC Principal is the best thing to happen to this show.
- Everyone taking detention over dealing with Cartman is great. Shows how much people really don’t like him.
- “…and Vin Diesel.” “Vin Diesel too!?”
[Photo via Comedy Central]
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