thank you very much for your constructive comments and opposing views which broadens my perspectives on the issue i raised last week.
This week, I'll bring to you the latest controversy regarding Kanye West and his "heartless" comment to Taylor Swift during the VMA.
I refer to the article from Los Angeles Times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/09/kanye-west-needs-his-own-sorry-blame-it-on-me-single.html
(http://theblemish.com/2007/04/the-akon-underage-dry-humping-video-is-back/)
While Akon was blamed for "dirty dancing" with a young teen fan two years back now,
the author of the article seems to have given him the benefit of the doubt in her style of writing (lexis), as she maintains that Akon "could have" (diction) just ignored the problem, suggesting that he was a repentant pop star. Also, she uses effect from a short, concise sentence to awaken readers that despite having a choice to escape, "But, he didn't." and instead, he released an album mostly compiled with the intentions of apologizing. Again, from this short elaboration, we can almost see how important lexis is from the encoder to the decoder in changing their perception.
After reading the article, I thought about his intentions for making that mistake in the first place. I would think that his intention of publicly dancing the way he did was for pathos and ethos. This daring dance move would've shocked the floor of audiences and increased his sex factor. Just like the other advertising films are now so good at: creating attention. Always remember, bad attention, is still, attention. And that's all they really want.
Moving on to the rest of the article where the writer consistently seeks reasons for West's behavior. In communications term, we call that attribution, referring to the process of assigning cause to human behavior. The writer wrote that West was seen with a bottle of beer, suggesting that that might be the cause to his rude interruption into Taylor Swift's speech moment and even added on to comment that he was previously suspected to have drinking problems. The writer is at the point of discussing what caused the behavior observed. Then what is there to say about that person after that? Can we then accuse West for being an unworthy singer or do we accept drinking as part of a way for momentary relief of the self? Also, if this episode was really because of his drinking habits, will he be more likely to be more mindful about where and when to drink in future?
My point of view is that before all the above questions can be answered, it is partially unfair to judge Kanye based on solely one incident. It is purely perfunctory to judge , criticize and boycott public figures based on one incident. Of course, that is not to say that their actions are acceptable and forgivable, but there is a difference between not accepting and criticizing.
In life, we are so used to self serving biases (to judge ourselves more tolerantly than we judge others) that we sometimes forget to look back and reflect on ourselves. Just because these public figures are a sort of role model in society does not mean that they have to be perfect.
Of course, there is the other school of thoughts who feels that public figures, especially pop idols should watch out for themselves since they are icons in society, which I so kind of agree.
But just because of the very one mistake that they make that caused such a big hoo-ha, can we conveniently accuse them of not trying hard enough to keep up that image, or should we just see it as part of a careless mistake that we all do make once in awhile?
I would agree with the latter more than the former, for I feel that public figures are already under a tremendous amount of stress trying to suit the needs and meet up to the expectations of not only their fans but also propriety (shaped by society).
I am not trying to defend these idols for their mistakes, for mistakes are definitely mistakes, there's no denial for that. But I think at the end of the day, idol critics who are always ever so ready to publicly slam public figures immediately after they heard what has happened, should step back and try to seek attribution and context to the situation first before getting personal on criticizing the poor fellow.
I agree with your stand.
ReplyDeletePeople shouldn't pin-point at public figures just because of one incident.
Public figures, they too have times which they want to throw their stress away.
People shouldn't have a mindset that public figures shouldn't do this, shouldn't do that. Yes, they're public figures, BUT they're human too, is that not?
-lynn`
Personally, as long as you are a public figure, you will be under the scrutiny of everyone. And the issue will be exaggerated tenfold.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I agree that the critics are too harsh, but, what is worthy news? They have to be harsh in order to sell the news.
As an idol, especially in Hollywood, it is understood that the paparazzi is hot on their heels. Hence, whatever they do in public, will be captured. No excuses of whether they've just had a bad day, or they are under tremendous stress. The public doesnt want to know that, neither are they interested in knowing that. Understanding this mere fact should allow the idol to know that... they are under watchful eyes every single second.
With that, think twice before doing anything. I guess that applies to everyone as well.
well generally, i feel that celebrities should not be regarded as exemplary role models since all human beings tend to make mistakes and errors.No one is perfect. In additon, not all celebrities gained fame by having a "good" image. Take eminem or marilyn manson who gained fame through their "bad boy" and dark image. Are they setting good role models for us? For all you know Kayne West did that in order to gain more publicity for himself. However, we all know it obviously made things worst. Whether he did it untentionally or not, he's still a jackas* to me. haha.
ReplyDeleteWhile i generally agree that critics should not be so quick in judging and criticising idols for their bad behaviour. I believe that idols should also be aware of their respondsibility towards the public and the role they play in society. They are often looked upon as role models and their presence as an idol does generate impacts upon the people. Criticism maybe a good thing as it allows idols to reflect on their actions.
ReplyDeletewell, i also agree that critics should not be so quick in judging and criticising idols for their bad behavior. the reason is simply because they have done it wrongly. in fact, what they should have done is to find out the root problem of what cause such problems to surface. when they gather enough information that they do it with the wrong reason or reason that are not able to support their stand, then the critics can start judging the particular star.
ReplyDeletein this scenario, kanye west was wrong to even criticise taylor swift on stage. firstly, taylor had not done anything bad nor insulted him. secondly, she earn that award and should not be dissed on stage in that manner. thirdly, west was already wrong to allow such drinking problem affect him to say such things, not to mention people try to use his drinking problem to push him out of trouble.
thus, before critic pass any harsh comment about stars, they should gather enough information to support their stand first
Hey Val!
ReplyDeleteI really like your last paragraph. It sums up your entry perfectly.
I'm not familiar with the Akon case, but I sure know about the Kanye West incident with Taylor Swift at the VMAs 09. In the beginning, I was just like the critics; criticising him for what he did and thought that the fact that he was drunk at that moment wasn't an excuse. However, I stepped back and wondered to myself that Kanye West isn't god, and that the critics should just give him a break. Moreover, he apologised and expressed remorse for what he did through national television.
The question now is, can we say the same for Park Jaebum?
Definitely. The netizens should have just accepted his apology and things wouldn't have happened the way it happened.