HAILEY MEDLOCK
BRENDEN CLOWE
STAFF WRITERS
Words you say, especially to a large sum of people, hold the potential to ruin your life. Especially when online, your words are forever immortalized in the form of a tweet, text, or post. Celebrities are a prime example of this. Constantly featured in the spotlight, famous individuals are subject to being thoroughly examined by fans and press, so if they should happen to say, tweet, text, or post an offensive statement, millions of people will take notice.
That doesn’t mean it can’t happen to us, too.
We all mistakes in our life, and we all live with them, but extremely hurtful things may follow you forever. People have a hard time forgiving others for their mistakes, even more if those actions or words were never apologized for. Everyone needs to own up to the words that they said. Over time people will forget, but some will hold onto resentment. Not all people will let things go, and that’s something that people should know if they are or want to become a role model for others.
Maybe people are insensitive, or maybe they are just not paying attention. People say and do things they feel is not bad but when in reality they make a great deal of people angry. And that’s something that everyone forgets: you can’t be 100% no filter all the time, or you will be criticized by lots of people. There are consequences for what you are about to say; realize how it will affect others lives, understand what you are doing by saying this. Words you say will always be remembered, and if you offend, then it might--and should--follow you.
People should live with this resentment because it is a good way to reflect and learn from their mistakes. This is especially true for celebrities who know that people get inspired or influenced and might do negative things based on what they say. A recent example is actor Kevin Hart, who rightfully withdrew from hosting this year’s Academy Awards show for his homophobic tweets from 2010. Even though he later apologized, it still reflects poorly on his character. We “regular people” should know that the right choice of words, or right choice of actions to be the best way to act.
It is true that sometimes people do not realize what they are doing is offensive. Seven years ago actress Jennifer Lawrence laughed as she told the story of how she “scratched her butt” on a rock in Hawaii while filming The Hunger Games movie, even after locals told her it was disrespectful. She appeared on The Graham Norton Show mocking the locals who were scared of Pele’s (goddess of volcanoes) curse. The backlash was quick and severe, especially from Hawaii. Later, Lawrence said she was just trying to be funny and did not realize that her actions and joking about it offended both a culture and a state. She was quick to apologize on social media, but even seven years later, it still haunts her.
These days, it is harder to know what is appropriate to say. Society today is sensitive to some topics that weren’t considered sensitive in the past like cultural appropriation, female empowerment, and gender roles. What you said five years ago might have been acceptable then, but it’s not acceptable now. So yes, it’s hard to check yourself before you say or post something.
Overall, though, it is up to the individuals to determine what they say. You never know when someone listening is going to feel hurt or angry--and react to you. It’s better to stay positive as much as possible.