While some of us do our best to build each other up, others insist on destroying our personal morale with their negativity. It’s their prerogative. Then there are others who destroy themselves. This is worse than someone trying to destroy us physically, emotionally and spiritually. Self-destruction is a beast.
Speaking of self-destruction, Lindsay Lohan has had many run-ins with the judicial system over the past few years, however she has managed to keep her punishment down to a minimal. Currently, Lohan is serving house arrest in her $2.25 million home. She is serving the 120-day jail sentence for violating her probation back in a 2007 drunken driving case by taking a necklace without permission from a jewelry story in January. Coming up recently, Lohan will be off house arrest.
This is not the first time the Hollywood privileged has blurred the lines between celebrity and justice. Why do we give celebrities so much power on and off screen?
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As we begin to use terms like ‘celebrity’ and ‘blog’ there are many different definitions. This echoes similarities to the convoluted reason as to why celebrity status continues to play a major role in the judicial system. We love keeping up with our favorite celebrities. The media sees money in this and capitalizes on our interests.
Personally, I won’t attempt walking out of any store with a $2500 necklace any time soon like Lohan. I won’t even leave a store without a bag. I’m no celebrity; plus I am not a fan of restitution. I am not condoning a reckless lifestyle that Hollywood’s favorite “Mean Girl” lives but there are deeper issues present. Issues that we know nothing about, and never will. Privileged or not.
Someone needs to sit Lohan down and have a serious conversation with her. If I could, I would. She needs to understand she’s worked so hard to build what she has that she’s destroying. I have much shame for Lohan, since I am a fan. At the rate she’s going, I am not sure where she is going to end up. The courts need to hold her accountable. We all have life changing incidents we go through and we do not have any room to act out. When we fail to confront our own demons and vices, these detrimental attributes can return to us over and over again. We fall victim to our habits.
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Hopefully once all of the legal issues are out the way, Lohan will have the opportunity to show us why we fell in love with her. When rumors circulated Lohan was slated to be involved in the upcoming movie “Gotti: Three Generations,” everyone was rooting for her comeback. The 24-year-old actress was considered for several roles in the movie and then out of the movie altogether.
We’ve seen this storyline play out with celebrities in the past, some good and not so good endings, such as Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and now Lohan. With the advent of technology and growing online mediums, we have a better glimpse into their lives. Celebrities are growing up in the spotlight giving us a critical eye to watch. And even if you don’t want to admit it, we do pay attention. We all pay attention. Still paying attention.
And still rooting for Lohan.
Drew-Shane Daniels is a Philadelphia based writer maneuvering through life and graduate school. He’s the creative genius behind the project http://www.heardhimsay.com, his daily blog where he offers his two cents on lifestyle, sexuality and pop culture issues. His work has been featured on Soul Train, Clutch Magazine, Krave Magazine, theFreshXpress and BET.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @drewshane.
