You have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the latest controversy involving Giuliana Rancic and Zendaya Coleman. While serving as a post-Oscars fashion critic, Rancic argued that Coleman’s decision to wear her hair in faux locs to the awards show was a bad one. Instead of simply saying she didn’t like it, Rancic shared that she felt like Coleman smelled like “patchouli oil and weed.” In the clip below you’ll see Rancic’s offensive comment that has people everywhere blowing a gasket.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/w81uOPRCbVU]
More shocking than Rancic’s comment is the response she’s getting from people on her social media pages:
While Rancic was undoubtedly ignorant and inconsiderate with her choice of words, people who took offense to her statement have no right to insult her in any way they see fit. Bringing up her personal life and ability to have children is beyond unnecessary and hurtful. How can a comment about someone else’s hair cause people to be so cruel?
This situation makes me question whether or not social media gives people too much power. Complete strangers have direct access to this woman and can say or type whatever they want. I have a problem with this. Social media should be used as a tool as opposed to a weapon. What happened to the days of starting a petition to spark change? Writing an open letter to inform people? Must we be on constant attack mode?
Social media gives the public too much access to public figures. The individuals who felt obligated to defend Zendaya Coleman were more wrong than Rancic (in my opinion) because they are deliberately choosing to disrespect the journalist. Rancic was utilizing a platform that’s known for offensively critiquing celebrities and she said something stereotypical. Perhaps her only exposure to people with locs has been Bob Marley.Ignorance is bliss and she likely had no idea her joke-gone-wrong would lead to such an ordeal.
People have no right to offend others just for the sake of offending them.If they’re upset with something a celebrity did, why can’t they simply vow to not support their work? When Greek organizations were displeased with the representation of them on VH1’s “Sorority Sisters,” they used social media to spark change and get the show taken off the air. In addition, many used the opportunity to post death threats on the personal pages of cast members. This is yet another example of social media usage gone wrong.
This day in age, it’s all about tagging the celebrity you’re referencing in hopes of receiving a response. Sure, the idea of hearing back from your favorite celebrity is magnificent but what happens when they do something you don’t approve of? Do you have the right to send negative remarks to them?
As you can see, I have tons of questions and I’d love to hear your responses. Does social media give the general public too much power? Is this a matter of freedom of speech or is it OK to practically harass complete strangers online?
Alex
Completely agree with your points. I think it has become an outlet for cyber bullies to harass people whom they might not have access to outside of the internet. My question are rooted in time and audacity. How does one have the time to search for a complete stranger and type paragraphs about this person, whom they have never met. The shameless boldness is mind boggling, how dare we as people place judgement on others because of what they say or do? We as people all make mistakes and because this person is on television others feel the right to attack this person. I propose if one feels truly hurt by the comments of Mrs. Rancic, how about sending in a letter to E or start a petition? Our minds can be our greatest asset and downfall. We must use them wisely. Great points!
Completely agree with your points. I think it has become an outlet for cyber bullies to harass people whom they might not have access to outside of the internet. My question are rooted in time and audacity. How does one have the time to search for a complete stranger and type paragraphs about this person, whom they have never met. The shameless boldness is mind boggling, how dare we as people place judgement on others because of what they say or do? We as people all make mistakes and because this person is on television others feel the right to attack this person. I propose if one feels truly hurt by the comments of Mrs. Rancic, how about sending in a letter to E or start a petition? Our minds can be our greatest asset and downfall. We must use them wisely. Great points!