Ok, I know I have ignored my blogging for a while. Okay, all summer. And I have been thinking about getting back in the habit. The events of this past week have given me fodder, and something to blog about.
There have been many rude outbursts lately by public figures and celebrities, but I would like to comment on Kanye West. Apology or no apology, he ruined Taylor Swift’s big night. No matter what he says or does, she will never get rid of the image and feeling of standing on that stage that night, with the microphone torn from her hands, and being publicly humiliated by someone she formerly admired. As opposed to others who may have been subject to publicly rude comments, she did nothing to provoke Kanye, save to be chosen for an award.
I also read the tweet from Terry Moran that he sent out during President Obama’s interview with CNBC. He reported that the President called West “a jackass” (off the record). That remark was on Twitter and has since been removed, but not until I personally saw it, along with probably thousands of others.
This reminds me of the “toothpaste” illustration that you’ve probably all heard before. It’s easy to squeeze the toothpaste out, but impossible to get it back into the tube. The warning can easily be connected to all the social media of our day. I use and enjoy some of these tools. But we need to be aware that every picture, text message, email, etc., that we release into the “social communication atmosphere” can be carried on and forwarded without our knowledge or permission. What has been said or written cannot be eliminated, and someone may get hurt in the process (including our own reputations). It’s like we all live in a small town, and now we know everybody’s business. My brother recently told me that someone asked if he disliked living in a small town for exactly this reason. His reply? “No, just keep your business clean and honest!” Exactly.
We can all learn a lesson.
And my flower beds, and garage, and closet… You get the pont.
