We haven’t had a full-bodied “hostage”-style apology for some time.
We had been overdue.
Famous person Janet Jackson did the honors this weekend, reminding us what occurs while you problem the authorised “narrative.”
To be honest, Jackson obtained it unsuitable. For context, different stars have stated far worse.
Jackson not too long ago weighed in on Vice President Kamala Harris’ ethnicity in a chat with The Guardian.
“Properly, you recognize what they supposedly stated? She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I used to be advised. I imply, I haven’t watched the information in a couple of days…I used to be advised that they found her father was white.”
Let’s be clear.
What she stated is each unsuitable and irresponsible. The media pounced and/or seized on the misstep.
Jackson issued a mewling mea culpa hours later.
“She deeply respects Vice President Kamala Harris and her accomplishments as a Black and Indian girl. Janet apologizes for any confusion precipitated and acknowledges the significance of correct illustration in public discourse,” Elmasri advised Buzzfeed in a press release. “We respect the chance to handle this and can stay dedicated to selling unity.”
Not solely did Jackson apologize, she turned her public assertion right into a Harris/Walz bumper sticker. The apology alone wasn’t deemed adequate. It not often is.
Now, let’s take a step again.
What number of different outrageous lies have been shared by celebrities in current weeks? Let’s cite simply two.
Actor John Leguizamo shared an older {photograph} of Donald Trump to recommend a bullet didn’t really hit his ear in the course of the July 13 try on the candidate’s life in Butler, Pa.
That’s a dumb, vicious lie.
Extra not too long ago, Rosie O’Donnell insinuated Trump wasn’t hit by a bullet on that terrible day. She additionally advised Trump staged the assassination try and that his ear regrew like an octopus limb.
How are these two outrageous, fact-free statements totally different than what Jackson stated? They’re all unfaithful. Every targets a presidential candidate. All got here from widespread entertainers.
But the media instantly made Jackson’s remark the equal of a four-alarm fireplace. The Jackson information cycle may linger longer than the second Trump assassination try.
The identical media ignored Leguizamo and O’Donnell. Why? Two causes.
Vice President Harris is working on an Id Politics platform. She has few program initiatives to share. She not often offers interviews. She’s reversed her place on a number of key points with out explaining why.
The Biden/Harris administration has been a debacle, so she will’t run on her report.
She’s an empty candidate hoping to expire the clock. However … she’s a Black-Indian Girl working for the White Home. Simply ask White Dudes for Harris alum Ben Stiller.
Actor Ben Stiller says he “needs he was black” whereas urging individuals to vote for Kamala Harris throughout a “Comics For Kamala” fundraising name.
pic.twitter.com/1BdDAAfUVh— Every day Loud (@DailyLoud) August 7, 2024
Jackson’s lie attacked that narrative, and it needed to be addressed instantly.
The media doesn’t care, in contrast, if an entertainer lies about Trump. They really want it, almost definitely. It offers them a breather from mendacity about Trump themselves. They do this loads. John Nolte of Breitbart Information retains a working listing, and it’s removed from full.
So the Leguizamo/O’Donnell lies impressed no reality checks. No outrage. No requires the liars to apologize.
Transfer alongside. Nothing to see right here.
And, if the media did cowl both Trump lie, reporters would howl if the celebrities not solely apologized however shared help for Trump.
That’s how the Media / Hollywood connection works in 2024. Jackson stepped on a rake of her personal free will. The remaining was the media doing what it does worst.