Each individual is complex. People go far beyond what meets the eye and yet most people judge based off simply what they see.
As the technology-savvy generation, we all see pictures either of friends or complete strangers, and we judge them. We judge the outfits they wear, the people they hang out with, where they go and what they do. We also pass these judgments on celebrities, the people whom the general public admire and idolize.
Yes, celebrities don’t always make the best choices. But when choices are made for them and are out of their hands, do we really have the right to blame and judge them?
We have to respect that even celebrities make mistakes because they are only human. No one should judge someone just by a picture, disregarding all the complexities that make them who they are.
I’m sure most of you have already read of, heard about or seen the recent nude pictures of more than 100 celebrities that were posted on the website 4chan.org. Celebrities such as Kate Upton, Kirsten Dunst, Selena Gomez, McKayla Maroney and Jennifer Lawrence had their private pictures shared with the whole world.
The reality of the matter is that the pictures these celebrities took were private. It doesn’t matter when they took them, who took them or for whom they were meant. They were private. They were not taken for the fans or the haters. They weren’t taken to be blown up and put on display in a gallery even if the exhibit is called “Fear Google.” This is an embarrassing situation to be in and it’s only made worse as they were shown everywhere for the public to see.
These women experienced a violation of privacy by having their iCloud accounts hacked. This is stealing, regardless of whether you’re a celebrity or an ordinary person like me. Our privacy should be respected; any violation to our privacy is not simply a scandal or joking matter. The breach of privacy has been widely debated on social media by celebrities and regular people regarding whether or not the name “sex crime” can be applied to this situation. The FBI defines a sex crime as “offenses against chastity, common decency, morals, and the like” and they are investigating this situation, according to the LA Times. Personally, these pictures being leaked caused the morals of the celebrities to be called into question and exposed them to public indecency. That, according to the definition, is a sex crime. Some of the celebrities were reportedly underage when the photos in question were taken, which would cause anyone who views or shares them guilty of child pornography, a higher offense than simply a sex crime.
Still, even with the FBI investigating this horrible invasion of privacy, some people on social media are blaming the celebrities for the crime. A despicable mentality has been widespread that the celebrities are at fault for taking the pictures in the first place. No one deserves this public embarrassment and the fact that the pictures were shared is never the victim’s fault.
Victim shaming happens often and not only to celebrities. Nude photos can be taken and shared publicly in retaliation after a break-up or for a mean joke in everyday life. That still does not make it OK or the victim’s fault. Privacy should be respected and so should trust. Suddenly, being the victim of a hacker is translated into stupidity or irresponsibility on their part, but this is not the case.
Each person who takes a nude photo does run the risk of having their pictures seen by someone or leaked. But that is their decision. They choose to take a picture of their own bodies for personal reasons, whether to keep it or to send it to someone they trust. The reason behind the picture isn’t even relevant. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want with their bodies.
Pictures are supposedly worth a thousand words, but I don’t believe that. The words and ideas that a person stands for cannot be encompassed or reflected by one picture. Pictures don’t represent a whole person and are one-dimensional at best. They capture one moment in a person’s life. Imagine having to choose one picture to capture your entire essence as a human being — imagine not having a choice over what picture it might be and not being able to take anything back.
While celebrities differ from us, they are similar in that their family, their friends, their faith and the experiences they’ve lived define them and make them unique.They are more than concertgoers and award winners. They are more than losers of “Who wore it best” and winners of who’s selfie game is the strongest. They are more than a fully clothed or nude photo.
Whether good or bad, trivial or important, we shouldn’t let one moment define a person’s life, character or memory.
Don’t invade these women’s private lives by viewing the pictures and sharing the links. Boycott this invasive behavior of society and remember that one picture does not show a whole person’s worth.
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