A surprise statement from the world’s legendary golf legend Tiger Woods is causing a wave of intense controversy on social networks and in the international media. In a short interview with an American sports channel, Tiger Woods stated that he would not participate in any activities to celebrate the Pride Month (Pride Month) in June. He said: “I have no reason to commemorate something just because of social pressure. The concept of ‘Woke’ is being pushed away too far, and it is not worthy of being honored.”
This statement quickly spread on social networks, creating a strong reaction wave. Many people expressed disappointment when a athletes who were once admired around the globe gave a public opinion that could be considered as eliminating the LGBTQ+community. However, there are also many opinions supporting Tiger Woods, saying that he has the right to express personal views, especially in the context of the “Woke” cultural issues that are deeply dividing public opinion in the US and many Western countries.
The fact that a public figure like Tiger Woods publicly refused to celebrate the Pride Month anniversary asking a big question about the role and responsibility of celebrities in social issues. In recent years, the wave of support of the LGBTQ+ community has received the active participation of many athletes, artists and politicians, contributing to building an open and tolerant image in sports and mass culture. However, many people feel that social pressures have made support for their duty, not a voluntary choice.
Tiger Woods has not made any more comments after the original statement. His media representative refused to answer the press interview. Meanwhile, many human rights organizations and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community have protested, saying that such statements can hurt the spirit of those who are fighting for recognition and equality.
Although Tiger Woods’s opinion may come from his personal point of view, the fact that a global sports icon is like that at the right time the Pride Month started the public that the public could not ignore. This story will probably continue to be debated in the near future, when society is still looking for the boundary between personal freedom and social responsibility in the world of celebrities.