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| Photo from CNN.COM |
I’m frustrated! I’m frustrated with Chris Brown and all of the
other celebrity figures who get special treatment by the justice system, or who
are infamous and yet still loved.
Examples: NFL players who commit murder without
consequences; NBA players who get DUIs and have their wrists slapped with a
“fine”; singers who abuse their wives, do drugs, and live immoral lifestyles and
yet are rich and famous.
A few weeks ago, I noticed an article on CNN about a certain
celebrity, the title: The Ever Divisive Chris Brown. Evidently, Chris really wanted a certain parking space that
Frank Ocean really wanted too (can you say, “first world problems”?!) and is
being investigated for an altercation over the space. But I’m not frustrated
with the fact that a fellow sinner like Chris got into a fight. I’m not frustrated
with him for hurting Rihanna – although that did make me mad.
I’m frustrated because, regardless of the filth, fans still
stand up for him and his “talent.” I’m frustrated because he will still be rewarded
with millions of dollars this year. I’m frustrated because he has built a
personal brand that can’t be touched by his own bad decisions. I’m frustrated
because he will still show up on the Billboard Top 100 this year and will most
likely perform at one or two awards shows.
How is it possible that any person with such ethical and moral issues, can enjoy success?
The article asks this differently: “As with controversial celebrities before him, at the core of the
reaction to Brown are those age-old questions: What are our behavior standards
for our celebrities, who sets them, and can they be enforced? If someone does
something heinous, should we cease to find them entertaining? And just how much
should a star's personal life override his or her work?” [quote]
I summarize it this way: when does talent stop justifying a
person’s behavior? Should talent ever justify behavior?
There is a verse in Scripture that talks about this, but it
doesn’t make me feel better.
In Matthew it says, “You
have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I
tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may
be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and
the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love
those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors
doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.”
I know. I thought it was a typo, too, but it was in the
Bible. We are supposed to love Chris Brown and all of the other celebrities
that commit heinous acts.
HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean we need to support his music or his
lifestyle. I think the question CNN raises is the wrong question. They asked,
“If someone does something heinous, should we cease to find them entertaining?”
The real question is: “If someone does something heinous, should we stop
letting them entertain us?” And the answer to that question is: YES!
Absolutely! We should stop supporting Chris Brown. We should stop wearing
jerseys of NFL players that murder people or get DUIs. If we don’t stop buying
their music and jerseys, we are not loving them – we are supporting their ability
to engage in bad behavior.
What do you think? Do you agree? You may comment below…
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