Some hecklers may find their few seconds of fame amusing, but when reporter Lisa Taylor stood her ground against sexist comments, the tables turned. The men behind the crude phrase “FHRITP” found themselves facing public backlash and serious consequences.
The phrase originated from an American filmmaker who produced mock newscasts featuring a hooded character named Fred, who would shout the phrase into the microphones of pretend reporters. These videos took the internet by storm, spreading virally on Reddit and giving rise to a hashtag and Tumblr dedicated to showcasing similar antics.
However, a group of soccer fans learned the hard way when they shouted the phrase at Taylor during a live broadcast outside a stadium in Toronto. Instead of brushing off their behavior, she confronted them directly on camera.
“Wait, are you guys seriously waiting for the chance to yell that at me on live TV? You’d actually humiliate me like that?” she challenged them. The men, seemingly unfazed, justified their actions as “hilarious.” One man, wearing a yellow jersey and later identified as Mike Johnson, remarked, “This happens everywhere! You’re lucky it’s not worse, like in England.” When Taylor asked what his mother would think, he replied that she’d eventually find it funny.
However, it wasn’t just a laughing matter for Johnson’s employer. He was working as a network management engineer for Hydro One, a government-owned energy provider, until they released a statement citing his behavior as a violation of their Code of Conduct—and subsequently fired him from his $106,000 a year position. Employment lawyers have supported the company’s decision, highlighting the seriousness of such conduct.
Taylor revealed that after enduring constant harassment for a year, she finally decided to speak up. Other female reporters have shared similar experiences, noting that they too have faced this derogatory phrase regularly.
The public shaming of these individuals has sparked intense debate on social media. Is it right to call out the hecklers publicly? Does the punishment fit the crime? Some critics argue it’s a form of witch hunt or cyberbullying. The more pressing question, however, is: how did we reach a point where grown men are shocked to learn that screaming vulgarities at women is inappropriate?
This phrase isn’t limited to soccer fans; schoolchildren have even faced suspensions for using it at events. Hopefully, with recent discussions ignited by this incident, the term FHRITP will fade into obscurity where it belongs.
In summary, this incident ignites a broader conversation about sexism, appropriate behavior, and the consequences of actions in public life.
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