Celebrity Lives and Magazine Racks:

So, I am standing in some rather disinclined line at the front of a grocery store - one which is part of a major chain. Naturally, there are racks filled with hopeful "last minute browsing before reaching the register" items. Usually, I would purposefully omit the existence of this clutter, however I chose a different path of, dare I say it, acknowledgement.

So, I am observing these racks and the individuals who are scanning them - so closely that you would think the meaning of their lives lay on the brightly colored magazine covers. 

At first, the images catch my eye - initially one of a sickly man. I then realize that this man is supposedly Patrick Swayze. My eyes then begin to scan the different headlines. "Down to 105lbs," "Living with Grief," "Now it's war," etc... Featuring celebrities Patrick Swayze, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. 

The headlines and photographs go on, but my mind focuses elsewhere. How do these families feel about their personal issues being plastered on the front pages? Patrick Swayze is fatally ill, and I can only imagine how his wife would have her stomach churn at the extra daily reminders. John Travolta and Kelly Preston lost a child, and that in itself is a pain that haunts them daily without needing a feature story. And, I am just glad Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's children cannot read or comprehend the tabloids. Could you imagine reading about your parents' possible split in a headline?

Majoring in Mass Communications: Public Relations exposes me to the world of communication, however journalism is something I frequently struggle with. When is enough ENOUGH? Where do we draw the line? What kind of ethics do we have in today's world? Do we simply disregard the feelings of others for our own personal gain? And, what about the people who purchase such things? Do they enjoy seeing others in pain? Does reading that make them feel any better at the end of the day?

In a visual communication class, I was distraught when I discovered that I could see pictures of my family members, those fighting in a war overseas, dead on the front page of the morning paper. Apparently, the media may not have an obligation to inform me before they print graphic pictures of my loved ones. Is that right? Is that ethical?

Freedom is an amazing, powerful and blessed thing. But, we should not abuse that freedom. We should not maliciously hinder the lives of others. We should respect and give support to those who are experiencing great pain in their lives. Because when it comes right down to it, your feet could end up in their shoes.