In the past, I feel that celebrities were given a slap on the wrist for their wrongdoings, and many times they still are. However, more recently celebrities have been used to set an example of what will and will not be tolerated. For example, Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, and T.I. are all celebrities who have done wrong and have to face the consequences.
On the other hand, celebrities that act out like Chris Brown are given what many feel like is a slap on the wrist. I am not condoning Chris Brown’s actions, but this wrongdoing was his first offense, and first time offenders are not punished as harshly as second and third time offenders. However, Chris Brown is being made an example for his wrongdoings because currently his career is to say the least idle.
As far as Kanye West, not only were his actions uncalled for, they were highly disrespectful. Kanye West is a revered artist who could have asked to be on any talk show or radio show anywhere in the world to speak out against the results of the ‘Best Female Video’ award, and people would have listened and probably respected and agreed with his opinion. But for him to interrupt a precious moment for a seventeen year old rising star, was inappropriate. His apology is futile and in my opinion should not be accepted. I understand that he may not have been able to mourn his mother’s death properly due to his celebrity status, but that should not be used as an excuse for what he did. The reasoning behind what he did may have something to do with the bottle of Hennessey that he was drinking and photographed with on the red carpet. Nevertheless, this is not Kanye’s first time openly expressing his opinion and like before he goes on without being penalized. However, if he were penalized for expressing his opinions, the debate about freedom of speech would arise, but freedom of speech is not Kanye’s problem. In my opinion, his problem is being tactful. In order to continue to be a highly respected artist, Kanye needs to learn to be more respectful, tactful, and disciplined. Our youth look up to him, and he needs to realize that and set an example for them.
In order for celebrities such as Kanye West to begin to realize the adverse affects their comments and actions have on people, we the consumers of their music, movies, etc. need to hold them accountable. Just like we write and e-mail politicians about their actions we need to do the same for celebrities so that they can get their act together not only for us but for the youth that admire them.
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2 comments:
I agree with you on the last part. As longas people keep buying the music and supporting the celebrity as a 'true' fan, than the celevrity will do whatever he or she wants because he has some kind of power over the people. The people follow him, so he feels like the man on top. He can do whatever...until the consumers hold the celebrity accountable for the wrongful doings he or she did.
-Maeghan Leonard
I agree that celebrities should be held accountable. I dont quite understand whethere you are saying that Chris Brown recieved a slap on the wrist or was held accountable for his actions. I personally believe what Chris Brown did was a lot worse than what Kanye did, and although he did not go about it the right way he is free to say however he feels. I believe you both have the same claim which is pretty strong. However you could have more support such as white celebrities who were also not held accountable for their actions.
BriElla Nelson
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