Unexpected? Yes. The big item of news as is being reported by the major news media right now? NO.
Yet again we are seeing that the news is overly focused on relatively unimportant information. I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead, and I do not wish to make light of the loss his friends and family are experiencing. But there is the fact that the stock market dropped 450 points this morning, the FED cut interest rates ¾ of a point, the economy is in trouble, and the Presidential race is quickly coming to a point where only 2 candidates will remain.
For nearly an entire hour, the only thing that can be mentioned in the major news media is the fact that Heath Ledger seems to have taken prescription drugs, and had a heart attack. Apparently an accidental death, though pills were supposedly strewn about the body. Already rumors of the apartment being owned by Mary Kate Olsen have appeared and been debunked. Like that makes any difference on where the sun sets.
Consider this. Over the rest of the day, and in the next several days I would bet that roughly 3 days of news will be dedicated to this admittedly tragic event. Something like 8 hours of news will be spent on this. How much time was spent discussing the Tiger Woods lynching comments, and Golfweek magazine cover?
How much time has been spent on the racial tensions that occurred YESTERDAY in Jena? How about the time devoted to the Megan Williams case? Or why all the leading Presidential candidates proffered themselves as advocates of the actions of Dr. Martin Luther King yesterday yet not one has been willing to discuss an official apology to African Americans for slavery, nor Reparations.
I understand that Heath Ledger’s death is news on a celebrity. I understand that this will be talked about prior to the release of the next Batman Dark Knight movie. There is no question that reviewer will be kind in their evaluation of his role as the Joker [which from the trailers I have seen so far are not compelling and thus I expect the film to be lackluster regardless of the box office take]. But honestly there is more to focus on.
Is this harsh? Perhaps. But I tend to be focused on the important facts going on, than the distractions that some would like to fill my head with. The economy, who will be President and how will they govern America, race relations, and the impact of racially insensitive and potentially violent images and words being bandied about with the casual flippancy of a morning greeting are all far more important to me.
Celebrities, minor and major, die from stupid things all the time. Their passing should be noted. But I’m just tired of watching endless hours of useless information about their passing (as was done with Anna Nicole Smith) that benefits no one.
Do you agree?
2 comments:
I think that your comments are insensitive and rude. I you are angry because he was a talented WHITE actor. I think if he were black you would be saying something totally different.
As far as the attention on Jena, I think that punk belongs in prison and he doesn't deserve anymore attention than he got. I hope he rots in jail. And I hope YOU get a HEART. Jerk.
Well that certainly is one point of view.
Maybe I am a bit insensitive in my timing. But then again, my point had little to do with Heath Ledger. Had it been any other minor B-List actor, or lesser celebrity my point would stand the same. Color is only important because of the media reaction. And I literally had to laugh at the thought of anger with Ledger. I didn’t know him and barely knew any of his movies. How would I be angry? Where did you get that in my post?
But you missed my point.
I was focused on the differences the major media takes on the death of Black celebrities and entertainers as opposed to White. The difference is obvious, I believe, if you step back and observe it without emotion. I highlighted differences with Sean Taylor, but similar comparisons existed with the death of Anna Nicole Smith and James Brown. Other examples exist, and it does not require the death of an individual, though it is at its most stark then.
I take it you haven’t paid attention to the specials and highlights being presented in the media as recently as yesterday that I noticed. Have you seen any of that kind of attention given to Sean Taylor being commemorated for the Pro-Bowl? Or talk about his fund for his now fatherless daughter? Where is the compassion and understanding for her?
I’ve seen dozens of programs that are discussing how we need to sympathize with what could make Ledger need the medications that may have caused his death. I’ve seen multiple pundits excuse his past drug use. But where was that sympathy for Sean Taylor and his family when the media attacked his life and focused on his missteps? Where were the calls for compassion then?
In roughly 3 days the Sean Taylor death was virtually ignored and major news media moved on. I’m still noticing major media discussing every aspect and connection to the death of Heath Ledger 5 days later. Why the disconnect? Both had millions of fans, and both were growing in fame. What was the difference?
And again I say this is not a new thing. It’s prevalent in all the coverage the major media does on African Americans as opposed to Whites. One is overly negative and presumptive of wrong, the other is sympathetic and oblivious to any bad actions.
And yes if he were Black I would be saying things a bit different. I’d ask why the media is so focused on the negatives of his life. Why they are not willing to go to the same extents they go to for non-African American actors, athletes, entertainers and celebrities. Because my point is the inequality that is on-going and not about the person. Just as it was when I discussed Kelly Tilghman and her call to lynch Tiger Woods, among other posts [Golfweek sought attention on Tiger Woods lynching - 1.19.2008.1, et al].
I do understand the difficulty the family of Heath Ledger is experiencing. I have no doubt that this has been shocking. And were this the guy down the block I wouldn’t mention it.
But we are talking about public figures, and the media coverage they get. At times throughout their lives and deaths that coverage is not always positive nor sensitive. Such is the price of fame. But that price should be the same and not biased by the color of the public figure.
At the same time, I do give my condolences and find his death sad. And I don’t intend to belittle his life. But he is an example, and I will make a point of it while it is fresh in the public’s memory. No different than when I discussed the death of President Ford, or James Brown and many others.
Maybe you have not read many of my other posts. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with what I speak about from time to time. Let me help you if you have not read my words before.
I discuss the inequalities displayed and emphasized by the major media. I highlight the lack of people of color in front of and behind the cameras. I highlight the bias in reporting of events. I discuss the prejudice that exists on and beneath the surface of the television, radio, movie, and internet mediums around us everyday. I also discuss movie reviews, video games, television commercials, sports events, restaurant reviews, book reviews, political ads, and more.
All of this is from a perspective that it seems you cannot comprehend. Possibly because you’ve never had to experience life as a Puerto Rican African American. You may not have ever had to look at 100’s of television channels including cable, and realize that a mere handful (maybe 3% if that can be called a handful) of all programming features or includes people that look like you. You may not have had to listen to news, or read books, or learn about history that is built upon and promotes stereotypes and concepts of inferiority based solely on skin color. Perhaps you have never been the brunt of jokes and words that are meant to inflict pain because of who you are.
Does that make me insensitive? Sometimes to be honest. But that does not take away from the fact that these issues exist. Nor does it make me incapable of understanding the ability of, and the quality of work, by performers like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Sigourney Weaver, The Beatles, Elvis, Debra Harry, Patsy Kline, and so many others.
But can you separate your emotional connection and see the point I’ve made. The very same points that you failed to comment on. The very purpose of the post.
If you want to hear mindless gossip, my blog is not the place. If you want to read about devotional, or fanatical, coverage of the actions of entertainers and celebrities, you are at the wrong blog. But if you want to read and comment on insightful commentary on the media and all mediums of entertainment, and how that at times interplays with life in America as an African American, Puerto Rican and person of color – then this is the blog. If you want to hear reviews and opinions on movies, video games, and television shows (with and without racial opinions) Then this is the place. But if you cannot see why Jena is relevant, or why I made the post you read, I can’t help you.
You want to insult me and call me a jerk. OK. Such is your opinion. I respect that you failed to see what I had to say, and that I may have been insensitive. I won’t insult you, nor condemn you. Nor will I back away from what I’ve said.
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