Celebrity Outbursts

Serena Williams threatening a lineswoman. Kanye West disrupting a ceremony. Roger Federer using profanity on live television. These last few days have been tumultuous for celebrities.

In reaction to these public displays of rudeness and boorishness, there have been numerous claims that the end of civility is neigh.

They are celebrities, and their skills have placed them in a position to reach millions of people as role models. But are we too quick to judge?

The controversial Serena Williams foot fault lead to a very public emotional frenzy. I've read and listened to countless reports about how she, as the icon of Women's Tennis, must compose herself with more dignity regardless of the situation.

To me, that reaction is too simple.

Of course I am a champion of public sincerity, but can we not allow a person one mistake? Especially when 1.6 million dollars are on the line? Dig deep, readers. How much control would you have if someone unilaterally prohibited you from 1.6 million? I would be pretty upset, to say the least.

One could retort by saying Williams does not need the money, and thus, her outburst was rooted in childishness. But that just proves my point further: Williams's outburst came not from the loss of 1.6 million, which most would consider to be the impetus for any irrational behavior, but something larger, the priceless prestige of a Slam Title. While I do not condone her actions, I certainly understand and can forgive with appropriate penalty.

Like Serena, Kanye West is facing massively hostile public opinion. In his recent upstaging of Taylor Swift, people have branded Kanye West as the executioner of civility. West stole the microphone during Swift's acceptance speech and promoted Beyonce, one Swift's competitors. This is wholly uncalled for...in action, but not in message.

Much like the Serena incident, I can sympathize. After watching both videos, I find that Beyonce has a superior video (although it is not, as West claimed, "one of the greatest videos of all time") to Swift. West had a very valid point. His delivery method simply drowned his message.

The next day, Kanye West appeared on the Jay Leno Show and was visibly emotional and remorseful, verging on the cusp of tears. His regret is genuine, from what I can tell, and, again like the Serena incident, deserves forgiveness once the situation has been rectified through genuine apology.

Williams, West, and Federer should be punished, but we, as fans and followers of their celebrity, should forgive them for such outbursts. In fact, I wouldn't even call them "outbursts"; if they were like us—actually they are—those actions would just be a Tuesday night.

Are we as society members so hypocritical that we cannot see some of ourselves in their vulnerability? Are we so elitist that we can instantly turn our noses down at a celebrity if they make a mistake? Are we so eager to boost our own anemic egos by eroding their celebrated accomplishments?

Let's be civil. Let's forgive.