Racism and Pop Star Collide

Its funny how people interpret things in a different way then you would, one thing can be said but taken a million different ways or do a funny face but called racist?

Rising teen pop star Miley Cyrus is the girl many young girls look upto and now she’s being accused of “mocking and denigrating individuals of Asian descent.” Cyrus was simply making a silly face, I don’t think she meant anything by it, or even thought of offending anyone. Miley was just having a good time with her friends and after one photo she’s being looked at differently.

From others perspectives, it does look bad because people look upto her and expect her to be a good role model, but does society have too high of expectations? For young children to see this picture it makes them think its okay and just a silly face, would you want your child too think that this is amusing? This will also greatly offend the Asian culture because just looks like Cyrus is mocking them and their appearance. She might not have been purposely trying to offend the Asian culture, but the point is that she did. Cyrus doesn’t owe anyone an apology other than the Asian descent; her fans should stick with her through think and thin no matter what the tabloids say about her.

I do agree with Cyrus when she states “I was simply making a goofy face.” She’s only a teen, obviously this would be photographed and I’m sure she knows this picture would be noticed, so clearly she didn’t PURPOSELY do this to offend anyone. Though in some ways I look at this situation like, Cyrus could have made a bunch of different faces so why slanted eyes?

Even stars have their mess ups, they are people just like everyone else. So why is everyone focusing on just Miley Cyrus? Anyone else could make this face yet it’s all focused on a teenage girl. Cyrus should make a public apology just so it’s all over with. Everyone should just focus on more important things and leave the teen pop sensation to do what she does best; sing and just let her be a teen.

You Want a Piece of Me?

Two years ago Britney suffered the worst times of her life, yet shes made a huge comeback and a new impression on the world. At the 2007 MTV Music Awards fans were anticipating the moment ; waiting for the stylish vocals, entertaining dance moves, and hot bod. But too their amazement, Britney didn't have the looks or what everyone expected from her. Is it okay as a society to have high over-the-top expectations of someone whether they're a star or not? All we know is that she definitely had an unforgettable comeback.

"Brit - you wanna make a comeback so comeback as yourself. Don’t try and fool us into thinking you’re still at your best; but first, find the sleaze that released these pics and show him who the real fool is. " [1]

Paparazzi are constantly harassing Britney because one picture could go for up "10 thousand dollars" [2] Shes too fat, shes too thin, she shaves her head, she almost drops her baby, shouldn't everyone just give her a break? If it was anyone else in the whole world no one would even give a second look, but just because shes in the 'eye' of the media right now, everything matters. As a society people should be supporting Britney, and encouraging her too get help, not criticizing her every move, all that this is doing is making her break down even further. By giving Britney all the negativity and harsh reviews, society is pushing her to do even more awkward and stupid things just because it gets attention and that's clearly what shes looking for, and that exactly what were giving her.

The paparazzi spend 50% of their time, watching and following Britney Spears.[3] With people constantly keeping track of your every move would you be able to put up with it? The paparazzi follow her everywhere she goes, they wait for her outside of her house and they're always flashing cameras in her face. This played a big role in her emotional breakdown because she never had any privacy and everything she did wrong was blown way out of proportion. The real question people should be asking themselves should be, is Britney really in the mental state of mind, or is this all one big scheme to keep her fans entertained? Britney does really weird things in front of paparazzi like: shave her head, get 2 tattoos, go into a grocery store and buy a pony, talks wit different accents.[4] Does this really sound like someone that doesn't want attention? Britney is definitely a contributor to the frenzy, if she seriously is mentally ill, she shouldn't be aloud to go out in public by herself because clearly she's just giving the paparazzi more stories.

"Celebrity Worship Syndrome is an obsessive-addictive disorder in which a person becomes overtly involved with the details of a celebrity's personal life." [5] Many people become obsessed with stars and find it an addiction, just like smoking or drinking. It really is unhealthy because this is definitely what causes stalkers and its terrible for the stars because dangerous things can come out of this.

Who is Britney Spears? What does she do? If the paparazzi weren't constantly hounding her, these would likely be questions most asked. I don't agree with celebrities 'fighting back' to protect privacy because, sure they should get a little privacy but if everything wasn't caught on film or captured in photos, Britney would not be who she is today. If the paparazzi stopped writing about her and snapping photos she would be forgotten about so this is why you wonder if stars really do want privacy.

"The so-called “Britney Law” is said to be aimed at protecting celebrities, as well as pedestrians and drivers, who may be put in danger by a horde of photographers."[6] We all like a little gossip, but I'm sure everyone is thinking that it reaching extremes that shouldn't be met. We might as well call them 'Stalkarazzi'.

Paparazzi should just ease down and give the celebrities some breathing space. Theres always going to be a new story and more gossip, it doesn't mean you have to constantly be up in their faces. The more you bug celebrities, the more agitated there going to become, and just like Britney they'll start creating drama and create their own stories. The more you harass stars, the more famous they become.

[1] http://forgottenjournal.com/index.php/2007/12/18/britneys-smaller-piece/

Hannah, Britney's Smaller Piece : Wordpress Publishing, 2007.

[2] Britney: Speared by the Paps (2008)

[3] Britney: Speared by the Paps (2008)

[4] Britney: Speared by the Paps (2008)

[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_Worship_Syndrome
Wales, Jimmy. Celebrity Worship Syndrome, Vanity Publisher, 2007.

[6]http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/12/%E2%80%98britney-law%E2%80%99-targets-the-paparazzi/

Regan, Bob.‘Britney Law’ Targets the Paparazzi, New York: Wordpress Publishing, 2008