Leslie Jones Critiques Traditional Marriage
In a recent interview, former “Saturday Night Live” star Leslie Jones boldly labeled traditional marriage as “legalized slavery.” This statement came during her conversation with podcaster Jiwerekolu “Jiwe” Fumudo, known for his straightforward and sometimes exaggerated interviews about modern relationships.
When discussing her attraction to powerful men, Jiwe jokingly suggested that Jones might like to be a “tradie wife,” a term for women who adhere to traditional gender roles and support patriarchal marriage. Jones promptly dismissed the idea, asserting that her father raised her with the mindset that she wasn’t meant to be anyone’s wife. “My father used to say, ‘I didn’t raise you to be somebody’s wife,'” she emphasized.
“Most people I know who were married are now divorced,” Jones noted, critiquing the institution of marriage. In response to Jiwe’s commentary on this trend, Jones agreed, stating, “Yes, I think marriage is legalized slavery.” When Jiwe prompted her to elaborate, she drew a stark comparison between the two concepts, highlighting the different images they conjure.
Jones further expressed her discontent, saying, “Absolutely not. I don’t think so — I don’t see why you wouldn’t.” She added a wry comparison, suggesting that if marriage imposes expectations akin to prostitution, it justifies an extreme viewpoint. Jiwe reacted with surprise, asking for her advice to young people contemplating marriage. “Please don’t,” she advised, indicating that it does not benefit women.
Although she doesn’t harbor disdain for men individually, Jones conveyed a broader disappointment. “They didn’t try to grow. They were sitting on the couch playing Sega Genesis while we were growing and evolving,” she remarked, referencing the iconic video game console.
Reflecting on a lighter note, Jiwe recalled an incident during a basketball game when Jones received a warning for her enthusiastic behavior. Jones defended her actions, humorously stating, “He was hot, and you knew it was my right.” In expressing her views, Jones affirmed that at her age—58—she has the freedom to express herself.
