Hello Thursday! Meet my blog group, comprised of a fantastic group of ladies who will dazzle you with insight on various topics. After reading my post, check out their blogs as well. Just click on:
Froggie (Tracey): One frog’s distinct voice on the world around her.
Merry Land Girl (Melissa): Tales of a suburban mom who likes to talk about pop culture, books, Judaism, family, friendship and anything else that comes to mind.
Darwin Shrugged (Denise): Civilized Observations in an Uncivilized World
For this week’s topic, Denise chose: Is there a celebrity scandal that would really upset you, simply because you love that celebrity/hold him or her in high esteem? Has it already happened? If there’s no celebrity, is there a person in your real life like that?
Her pick was inspired by the recent developments surrounding Bill Cosby.
Usually, I don’t glamorize or hold celebrities in high regard. This stems from an encounter with someone famous, who was not very gracious but very drunk and obnoxious instead. I was fourteen at the time and saw right through him. I figured out at a young age that other than fame, fortune and entourages, celebrities are still like the rest of us, and in some cases, bigger assholes.
Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t have the occasional crush or that I don’t look up to a celebrity. I’m only human, after all. Although not laminated, I still have my celebrity list (you know the one) and I also hold plenty of athletes in high regard. They are my celebrities.
When I received Denise’s topic for this week, I immediately thought of Lance Armstrong. A hero to many, I think the whole world was in shock when it was discovered he had doped up while competing. He lied. He said he’d never done it, he said he’d never do it, yet he did. It felt as though none of his wins were valid or real and I took it to heart. I am an athlete, and he was someone I looked up to. While I was saddened to discover the truth, it didn’t completely surprise me. Lance was regarded as a god where sports are concerned. That’s a lot for any mere mortal to live up to, and my guess is, he didn’t want to fall from that extremely high pedestal we’d put him on.
What about Oscar Pistorius? He’s a big reason I tuned back in to the Olympics. I blogged about him. The title of my post: “This Man is my Hero”. When his girlfriend was discovered dead, the big question was: Did he do it? Although he was recently acquitted (with an appeal in motion) the verdict is still out in everyone’s mind. Even if this acquittal sticks, this will change his life and the way we see him forever.
Robin William’s death shocked the world. Not only were we in mourning over the loss of someone so fantastic, it opened our eyes more to celebrities dealing with mental illness and depression. No one will ever really know what Robin was thinking in those last moments, or what propelled him to end his own life. Along those same lines was the loss of Joan Rivers. Shortly after her death, I’d gone to the library and checked out a few books, one of them being hers. At the counter, the librarian looked at Joan’s book and sighed heavily. “So sad, what happened to her. You know, everyone knew her. She spanned so many generations! I’m in my 70’s, and I’ve known of her my whole life.” I nodded in agreement while she continued on. “I can’t believe the way the doctors were taking photos of her while she was out on the table, and their negligence.” I didn’t have much to add to that, considering I’d read the same stuff the librarian had. Such a shock and it’s still a bit of a scandal. Will the doctor’s office be liable?
Which leads me to Bill Cosby, the man who inspired the topic choice for this week. At least 26 women have come forward and declared sexual assault. He’s never been criminally charged for anything, and it’s been years in the making. Why are these women coming forward now, after so long? I’d imagine at least one or two would have come traipsing out of the woodwork to say something, anything within this span of time, but I can’t say for sure one way or another. The truth is, I stopped reading about him. Most of it has become redundant, anyway. I figure if any wrongdoing has been found, he’ll have to pay his dues and atone for that, and maybe more so considering how the public has viewed him for decades. The family man. The lovable comedian. Another fallen celebrity.
In the end, all celebrities are human. They have their faults, their own issues. Beloved or not. Revered or not and they are capable of anything and everything, good or bad. Just like the rest of us.
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