There’s something I don’t understand with the nature of death. Those who live vilified and under public scrutiny die suddenly then all their misdemeanors are forgotten and they are suddenly a hero for dying. I just find it strange to not hear people comment on how such and such had it coming for the weird things they did. Once people die the media is behind them with tributes and countless articles on how wonderful they were. A total reshuffle on the years they went and scrutinized them.
When someone dies it is quite normal to feel something toward the event. Some feel sorrow, heartfelt pain, relief, joy and even nothing these would all depend on the person and circumstance. Hitler was seen as an evil man, his actions were sinister and he was the villain of the world. It was a clear representation to all who opposed him. To the relief of many he died and after death he has been viewed in the same light, a villain. Unless you’re a Nazi no one is going to admit, “We were harsh on Hitler maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.” To me it seems like this is how many deceased people are viewed today. People won’t hold back on bagging them out for who they are when they’re alive but once they die they express their gratitude for all that person has done in the world. It’s a little late for the acknowledgement and it just sounds pathetic. Michael Jackson did some weird stuff and the media portrayed him that way, referring to him as ‘Wacko Jacko’. He wasn’t liked massively by those who didn’t like his music so why does him not being alive make him better? Once he died they swept their attitude under the mat and focussed on the good stuff he’d done, to me it’s disrespectful and isn’t showing him much honour.
In general I think media giants see themselves as the voice of the world so they have to say something on a famous death. They have to appear human after all. It irritates me when an article headline states the ‘world’ mourning someone. For example [1]’World Mourns Michael Jackson.’ I have to say I felt nothing and I didn’t want to be thrown in with the false general consensus. I have feelings towards those that have died that I know but not Michael Jackson. If I was walking to the beat of a different drum then oh well, that felt more compassionate to me then putting on a hypocritical facade of grief.
Why though do we do it, why do we suddenly ride along? No one does it for a lowly commoner of society who dies. We wouldn’t think anything of this commoner if they died. Would we if the news did a big spill on them and their life? People who don’t even know him probably will. If so then doing this may come down to human nature and general empathy for those who the commoner were associated with. I’d just like to see genuine remorse for people.
I have empathy for those who love someone that dies but I’d rather people not jump on a bandwagon to support them when it’s way too late.
