You know, those who know me personally, know I love America. Even on its worse day, the country of my birth is pretty darn amazing. The freedoms we have here we often take for granted, and as someone who has been blessed by being able to travel internationally, I have seen the differences that exist around the world. One freedom I hold very dear is free speech; sure, I often am saddened or infuriated by some who utilize this right (can you say “God Hates Fags”?), but I would still stand up for their right to say it.
And that brings you to today’s “shake your head” moment – every American, whether you agree with them or not – has a right to share their views. Political views. Religious views. Those who have a larger platform than I do have a right to share it and to call us to stand up for whatever, and those who are “nobodies” have a right to climb onto a box and share theirs as well. We, as Americans, usually can decide whether we want to follow, agree with the statement, etc. But to say ANY American should not have a voice is blatantly disregarding the very core of our constitution.
Recently, I read the following post a friend shared on Facebook:
Dear Hollywood celebrities,
You only have a place in my world to entertain me. That’s it.
You make your living pretending to be someone else. You play dress up like a 6 year old. You live in a make believe world, in front of a camera, buffered from the everyday struggles of hard working Americans. Your entire existence depends on my patronage.
I’ll crank the organ, you dance.
I don’t really care where you stand on issues. You see, you aren’t real. I turn off my TV or shut down my computer and you cease to exist in my world. Once I am done with you, I can put you back in your little box until I want you to entertain me again. I hope you realize that the only words of yours that matter are scripted. In my world, you exist solely for my entertainment.
So, shut your pie hole and dance!
Many liked this post, and shared comments either laughing, saying “amen!”, or decrying actors and actresses for the incredulous act of voicing their beliefs publicly. In many scenarios, I have heard it said that “they are just actors, they should shut the hell up.”
However, I would like to offer up a few alternatives, because if you agree with the above and want to shut the voices of Americans who happen to be Hollywood celebrities, you open up the door to do the same in other venues. For example:
Dear Janitors,
You only have a place in my world to serve me, to clean up my mess. That’s it.
You make your living scrubbing my toilets or throwing away my trash. You probably dropped out of school and maybe even get government help on my dime. I have no idea if you are able to read, take drugs, or have had an intelligent conversation in your life. You obviously have no ambition in life, let alone have the capacity to have an opinion in areas such as politics. Your entire existence depends on my crap. Literally.
I’ll make a mess, you clean it up.
I don’t really care where you stand on issues. You see, I walk away from that toilet or trash can and you cease to exist in my world. Once I am done with my mess, I can put you out of my mind until I need you to clean for me again. I hope you realize that the only words of yours that matter are “let me get that for you”.
So, shut your pie hole and clean!
Many would say the above is offensive, but perhaps not the first “letter”. And to me, that is hypocrisy. Why would one job/social standing/income be excluded from constitutional rights while others are allowed to have a voice? Why does an American that has a job that makes more money be relegated to “dance”? Aren’t they just as American as you and me, even if we struggle more financially? And to THAT point, where are the letters to professional athletes, Wall Street Executives, or millionaire businessmen who made their money initially from family loans? Does the first letter suggest that OTHER people who are “buffered from everyday struggles” do not need to shut their pie hole?
Hmmmm.
Maybe the truth of the matter is this…….people who don’t agree with your political views need to shut their pie holes and dance. And that, my friends, is taking the constitution and spitting on it. And that, sadly, is where I believe we really exist today. But I will not stop loving America.
Just Rambling 