The varying volume of today’s voices
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In conjunction with the release of his newest album The Life of Pablo, rapper and fashion mogul, Kanye West stated that he had found himself to be $53 million in debt following the launch of his clothing line, Yeezy. Being that West is infamous for his shocking statements, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of such a claim, but easy to not feel the slightest bit sorry for him.
From insisting that Bill Cosby was innocent despite various women coming forward to tweeting that textbooks cost too much while selling his distressed clothing for thousands of dollars, West is one of the many lords of ridiculousness.
Pop culture has always loved to prey on the ignorant and the dramatic in terms of gaining an audience. But it is when this drama and ignorance is excused as speaking one’s mind, that more than just reader and viewership are affected. When a famous person’s voice gains this much volume, human lives actually start to become collateral damage.
West is by no means the only culprit of this aggrandized stupidity. Donald Trump is another prime example of just how much fame and fortune can influence one’s reception by society. Even though Trump has been quoted saying blatantly racist things and regarding his own daughter in a disturbingly inappropriate light, the talking toupee is currently a presidential candidate.
Much of his success in the polls has been because his followers believe that the nonsensical things he consistently spouts off are refreshing in the midst of a political running for office. Granted, politicians are known for saying things solely to gain votes making much of any sort of campaign full of various lies and deceit. But in Trump’s case one could only hope his declarations are fibs.
Miley Cyrus, a pop star who has been looked up to by girls and boys ranging from toddlers to adults, has shamelessly appropriated other cultures, openly body shamed other women and has just generally been known for her racist, exploitative comments. While being pushed into young stardom during her tween years may have given her a false sense of reality, there should never be an excuse to deliberately appropriate the lifestyles and cultures of others.
West, Trump and Cyrus, sadly, are only the tip of the problematic iceberg that exists in today’s media. These people who have been granted such strong voices in a world that needs to take action for change should use them for that very reason. Everyone has opinions, that has become very clear, but if that opinion has the potential to hurt an entire population of people it should henceforth be invalid.
Just because people like Trump say things that no other politician in their right mind would ever say, does not make his campaign groundbreaking. Just because West can deliberately and maliciously interrupt Taylor Swift’s award speech does not mean he is keeping it real. Just because Cyrus put her hair into cornrows and put some gold on her teeth does not mean she is breaking the Disney mold.
All any of this means is that just because someone with any sort of celebrity has something to say, should not validate an asinine opinion. Kids, teenagers and people from all walks of life look up to these kinds of spectacles. They listen to their music, read their books and hope to one day be as successful as they are. This kind of power is life-changing and should be handled with care.
The moment when people start caring more about the good things that are done and said, the more the bad will slowly start to be drowned out. Ergo, those with an excess of notoriety for their harmful opinions will no longer hold as much power because it will no longer be the most exciting thing in the news.
Whether people speak to audiences of millions or just the friends and family that surround them, nothing is ever solely about oneself. The things we say affect everyone around us, especially those who look up to us and need someone to teach them how the world works.
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