In the news of late are two examples of crude, bad taste,
some would say hate, on display.
Roseanne Barr refers to former top Obama aide Valerie
Jarrett as having mixed race and ape heritage.
Canadian Samantha Bee disagrees with President Trump’s
immigration policies and feels entitled to apply a crude, sexual term to his
daughter.
I’ll readily admit that The Sensible Conservative’s
personality, like his political philosophy, is old fashioned. But, really, how can people speak in public
in such disgusting ways?
Both women (neither deserves to be termed a “lady”,
another seemingly old fashioned label, I hope all will agree) are celebrities,
and as such have popular prominence so I guess they can say anything.
Yet there is more to their sense of unfettered license. Their audiences seemingly approve, certainly
in the case of Samantha Bee. Her
vulgarities were uttered as a part of her stage performance; the audience was
enraptured.
Conservatives – and others – were quick to castigate her
since the liberal comedienne had clearly “crossed the line”.
What line is that exactly? Were critics referring to “good taste”? Bee’s audience was apparently unaware of what
that means.
Thus, an entertainer appealing to her audience delivers
what she thinks it wants, with a Trump as a target described in the most
insulting, crude, vulgar way she can manage.
What about Roseanne Barr?
Her nasty racial references were broadcast via Twitter so it’s difficult
to gauge the reception accorded by the recipients. But ABC was certainly quick to cancel her
show. As a “celebrity,” did she consider
herself immune from harsh consequences?
Was she simply hurling epithets she knew would offend? Was Roseanne Barr aiming at committed leftist
Valerie Jarrett with a racial cudgel because she wanted to inflict the maximum
hurt on the ex-Obama advisor?Is Roseanne Barr really a racist or did she merely sound like one? In any event, she certainly paid the price. That line was easy for all to spot.
NOTE: These episodes highlight how silly our entertainment-obsessed culture has become. What is a “celebrity”? The term, these days, is commonly affixed to those who have received a degree of popularity. So we “celebrate” popularity or notoriety itself? Is accomplishment less important?
Sure, successful entertainers are popular, by definition,
but are they to be “celebrated” because they amuse us?
