After this evenings news, I felt I compelled to write something.
Never has a celebrity death effected me this deeply before. I’m in complete shock and cannot imagine the amount of pain that Caroline’s family will be going through right now. The death of a close family member is hard. I lost both my parents before I was 40. I never thought I could feel this sad for someone that isn’t a family member or a close friend of mine.
But amongst the sadness that I have for a person that I only really knew through a Television screen, I am feeling a lot of anger. This is a death that could have been prevented. This death didn’t need to happen. Never should anyone be hounded into a corner where they feel that they have no way out. No one should feel the only way out is suicide. To think the only way that they can end their pain is to end everything. She was a beautiful sparkling star that went out too soon.
Some people will say, if you choose the life of a celebrity it comes with the territory. They are just one human being doing their job. How would you feel if hundreds and thousands of people told you that you were shit at your job? Or that you’re getting fatter/you’re getting thinner. You shouldn’t be dating that guy. Why isn’t she married yet?
What would you be thinking? You wouldn’t be happy would you? Celebrities are human beings that make mistakes like we all do. But ours are not published to the world to see. Why are we turning into a society where turning a blind eye has become the norm? Let’s call a spade a spade here; this woman has been systematically bullied by on line trolls the press. And the most sickening thing is those who vilified her are bringing out their condolences. They are empty platitudes from people who can’t see past their own ignorance.
Words hurt and they cut deep. A lot deeper than you realise. I know that from personal experience. I have been bullied by a number of people and so called “friends” on numerous occasions for a large number of my years. In my teens it was coming at me from so many different angles I thought I would be/everyone else would be better off if I wasn’t here. I made it through. But only just.
Trauma like this shapes you. Why is it that it is always the kind ones that are the most delicate? We feel deeply, which is our blessing and our curse. We all need to move forward from this and stop being nice and start being kind. Nice is turning a blind eye to fit in. Kindness is standing up for what is right and good.
If we want to change what’s happened from happening again, stand up and be counted. Block damaging people from your feed. Report the gossip and the fake news. Stop reading the gossip that is profiting off of another person’s misfortune. Instead of being part of the problem, be part of the solution. Money talks, vote with your feet and your wallet. Mental health matters, stop being nice and start being kind. Start a conversation. That one conversation might save someone’s life. Kindness is badass.
The Pif smile 