There has been a flurry of so-called controversies this week that have had people up in arms with celebrities over… well, nothing, really.
In my opinion, people need to just chill.
Of course, everyone has moments of saying things or acting in ways that have been misinterpreted negatively. Welcome to the crux of communication. Instead of ostracizing these people for their actions, though, we forgive and move on. But making an example out of someone just because they’re in the spotlight is even more insensitive than taking a comment out of context.
1. Lena Dunham
There is a section in Dunham’s new book, Not That Kind of Girl, which outlines a time in her childhood when she inspected her sister’s vagina, curious if it looked like hers. Dunham meant the story as an innocent tale of a curious little girl who often did weird things, but Kevin D. Williamson and Bradford Thomas, both politically conservative columnists, accused Dunham of sexually abusing her sister.
Dunham was, not surprisingly, outraged by the accusations and took to Twitter on a self-admitted rant.
The right wing news story that I molested my little sister isn't just LOL- it's really fucking upsetting and disgusting.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) November 1, 2014
Usually this is stuff I can ignore but don't demean sufferers, don't twist my words, back the fuck up bros.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) November 1, 2014
Dunham has since apologized for a misplaced joke she also made within the book comparing herself to a sexual predator.
OK, so Dunham’s attempt at a whimsical and endearing tale kind of backfired. But we say read the book before you make a judgment. Don’t read clips picked for the fact that they sound bad and then base your opinion off that limited information. The message Dunham was trying to disseminate was so opposite from the one that is being interpreted, so it’s no wonder Dunham is offended. We’ll say it again: Don’t judge unless you’ve actually read the book.
2. Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe has angered the “shy bladder sufferers” community with this commercial.
www.youtube.com/embed/KGeJV7_0Wsg
No, really. It’s an actual thing and people are actually upset over the scene where Lowe portrays a man who can’t relieve himself while others are in the bathroom.
Steven Soifer, the CEO of the International Paruresis Association, wants DirecTV to stop running the ad. He told the New York Post, “It’s a situation that a lot of people don’t understand. In this particular case, the portrayal is making it look ridiculous, that this guy is a loser for having a problem.”
Let’s just assume that no one is perfect. We all have weird quirks and issues in our lives that we deal with. But being concerned by, and overly sensitive to, humor in a commercial is only detrimental to entertainment. Life would be boring if we didn’t ever take a moment to laugh at ourselves here and there.
3. Victoria’s Secret
In the midst of the new wave of feminism, Victoria’s Secret has been under fire a lot recently for only supporting one ideal of beauty. And a new ad campaign angered people enough to spark a change.org petition demanding an apology from the brand.
The ad reads, “The Perfect ‘Body,'” with the overly thin, scantily clad models lined up on display. The image is supposed to promote the brand’s new Perfect Body Bra, but the wording doesn’t do Victoria’s Secret any favors.
Why are WE not a part of this @VictoriasSecret campaign? Big #BrandFail
Say it w me #smgirlfriends ~ #IAmPerfectpic.twitter.com/pcTClPZyiE
— Dabney (@DabneyPorte) October 30, 2014
And while it’s important as consumers to be observant and ask big questions about the content we’re being spoon-fed on a daily basis, it’s also important to think things through before starting a witch hunt. We shouldn’t be calling this a fail for Victoria’s Secret. We should call it a discussion aimed at correcting our society’s preconceived notions of beauty.
4. Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith shared a picture herself snapped in bed and people are saying it’s way TMI for social media. With the image, Pinkett Smith also explained that her hubby frequently likes to take intimate pictures of his wife while she’s sleeping. He has quite the collection of them! And while she is naked in the photo, technically, the only thing you see in the picture is her bare back. Not a big deal, really.
I think I speak for single ladies everywhere when I say I hope to one day find a man who loves me as much as Will Smith seems to love Jada. I think it’s great that after 16 years of marriage, these two still find ways to feel sexy together. Get it!
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