Public Commodities (with Human Spirits)

All of the news swirling since the death of beloved singer, Whitney Houston, has only added to my long-time thoughts surrounding celebrity culture.  Don't get me wrong, I understand that each and every television personality, movie star, pop icon, etc., has made a choice to take the path to stardom.  But, I guess it's the culture of how that celebrity is received that pains me on a regular basis.  The news media consistently fuels this growing encroachment of personal space.  And it's even more disappointing to think that people feel vindicated in wanting to know such information.  It's fine to mourn the loss of a celebrity, to celebrate their contributions to the industry, but isn't there a line that we should respect?  A line where the celebrity ends and the universal humanness begins?  A line where we can recognize that this was a real person who really died and that there are real people really hurting as a result?   

I found it to be rather ironic a few days ago when, on Good Morning America, Nancy Grace was scolded for her public speculation surrounding Whitney Houston's death, suggesting she had been pushed underwater.  Dan Abrams lit into her, asking why she simply would not take back what she had said or apologize for it.  But, what I wonder is how Nancy Grace's wild speculations are any different from the countless disrespectful comments and interviews that have aired across all news outlets since the singer's death.  CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and others have all grabbed the opportunity to speculate on countless topics not at all respectful during this time.  For instance, we've had a number of anonymous "eye witnesses" who apparently watched Whitney down countless numbers of alcoholic drinks in the morning hours the week before her death.  We've also got "insiders" who have openly commented on everything from her handling of finances to her every move leading up to the incident.  So, I guess my reaction to Dan Abrams trying to set Nancy Grace straight is one of indifference.  With such a sad state of media ethics across the board, how can you possibly wrong someone who only blends in with the antics that have been routinely employed for, what is now, way too long.  Nancy Grace embellishing her explanation of the death investigation is no different than all of the other outlets embellishing the factual reports on Houston's death.  Just as we don't need Grace's speculation (aka fiction) about certain aspects of the death investigation process (aka fact), we don't need [insert any reporter's name]'s stories of Houston's erratic behavior (aka fiction) that may or may not have led to her death (aka fact).  Surely, we can all see this parallel. 

In times of crisis and tragedy, it seems forgotten that these people are human at the core.  Sure, they have raked in unthinkable amounts of money for their talent(s) (or lack thereof), but they are truly owed the same respect and consideration that each of us is owed.  All it takes is a few minutes of stopping and reflecting on one of your own personal losses to put into perspective what Houston's family and many others have gone through at the hands of "reporting."  Is there some positive effect that can come out of us learning of Whitney's last days and financial situation?  Do we really need to see pictures of her room service table and bathroom floor time and time again?  Perhaps, someday, we will learn to relinquish our rights to scrutinize every aspect of the lives of these public commodities in the spirit of human kindness, empathy and respect and react to all instances of media mishaps the same as Dan Abrams reacted to his colleague, thus marginalizing such reporting practices.