One thing I'm trying to use my blog for is to practice my writing. This may read a little like a high school writing assignment but that was the style I was going for. I know it's long! I couldn't figure out how to post a Word link.
The very fact that I have been compelled enough to write about this topic is evidence that I am guilty of exactly what I am criticizing others for. Hopefully, though, I'll make my case as to why I’m on one side of this much discussed and followed topic. Lindsay Lohan reported to the courthouse in Beverly Hills this morning and was taken away in handcuffs to begin her 90 (okay, 23) day jail term. Lindsay has been under a lot of heat lately so I've decided to make a case FOR her and hopefully mediate the feud that the American public has had with her in recent years. I know this is an uphill battle, as Lindsay has done very little to help me argue for her but I hope I can at least prove a few points.
Let’s cut Lindsay Lohan some slack. Aren’t we being a little harsh? Whoa, whoa, whoa- calm down and let me explain. I understand that my position on this topic makes me the minority and as a Lindsay supporter, I stand out like a democrat in Georgia, but let me make a few things clear. I don’t excuse or condone her behavior. I believe she needs to be held accountable and to the same standard as anyone else. I do, though, think she is being thrown to the wolves and unfairly criticized. D.U.I.’s are awful and in my opinion, one of the worst charges one can get but almost one and a half million people were arrested for driving under the influence in the United States in 2006. Lindsay is not alone in her crime but she is alone in punishment. Not a single one of those drunk drivers ended up on TMZ for their choices. It’s become acceptable in this country to criticize and show hatred for celebrities and really, anyone with money and/or power. Our girl, Lindsay, is no exception. It seems that there is a collective celebration for the crash and burn that is Lindsay Lohan these days. People are rooting against her and hoping she continues down the path she is on, rather than hoping our fellow human being gets the help she needs. Is it her money that makes her an easy target? Maybe her seemingly lacsidasical approach to the law. Whatever it is, Lindsay Lohan has made some enemies and is guilty of feeding the haters with plenty of ammunition.
The self-destruction of Lindsay Lohan has fascinated the America public for the last half decade. Her recent downfall, though, has seen the harshest media coverage of any of her recent situations. Why do so many people like watching Lindsay fail? And I don’t mean, take a small spill. I mean this may be the biggest fall from stardom to infamous notoriety in recent memory. People are really, really mad at her and I am left trying to figure out how and when she personally offended those people. You know the old cliché, “we made her this way”? Well, it’s a cliché for a reason. The media onslaught and public attention has helped Lindsay solidify her place as one of Hollywood’s “party girls.” Lindsay can’t solely blame us for her problems, though. No one forced her to go to those clubs or try those drugs. She played a role in her self-destructive behavior as well. I just think we, the public, could help her out some. Fame is a game of give and take. Celebrities need us because without the masses to buy their product, they are just ordinary people. However, there is debate to determine where the line should be drawn. At what point, do celebrities stop owing us for their success? When does the public lose the privilege of invading the privacy of the people we measure so high? With all the money and success, comes an inevitable dousing of spotlight. Some stars thrive while others falter. Can we blame Lindsay for entering the celebrity circuit at the age of 17 (yes, she dated Wilmer Valderamma before she was legal) and making bad choices along the way? Her parents are clearly a train wreck. She had excessive amounts of money and countless opportunities to spend that money in ways that were both legal and, well let’s just say not looked highly upon. What were you doing when you were 17? Most of us probably made some choices that we would take back if we could but that is part of growing up. At least you didn’t have the world watching. I’m not here to make excuses for her and claim she is completely innocent, but I am just hoping that people will lay off the hate and show a little more support. My point is that Lindsay hasn’t done anything that countless other private citizens haven’t done. Yet they’re not being publically hanged for it.
Why do I care? Quite simply, I’m a fan. And I’m worried. 2009 was a scary year for celebrities. I’m just glad Lindsay made it out alive. The same media that puts her in a chokehold and throws her to the mat is claiming she is a safety risk to herself. As of right now, we’ve already lost a talented actress because she has become too much of a liability to hire but we may be on the verge of losing a person at too young an age. As a fan, I’ve stuck by Lindsay while others talk smack. When her choices were being criticized, I just shook my head and hoped she’d make better ones. I will argue with anyone that Lindsay Lohan is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood. As her personal reputation faltered, her movie opportunities became less and less. This seemingly started a negative spiral of catch-22. Less movies, more partying. More partying, less movies. According to the most recent news reports, sources are scared for Lindsay’s safety and well-being. I care about this because I don’t want to see another young person and young talent fall victim to the very life that propelled them to stardom in the first place. Lindsay clearly has enough to worry about without millions of people criticizing her every move.
Now, Lindsay. Your turn. I’ve stood by you through feuds with Hillary Duff, pictures of you passed out and/or with drugs, D.U.I.s, drug possession, stints in “rehab”, bush-diving outside Samantha Ronson’s house, SCRAM bracelet “malfunctions”, lost passports, and missed court appearances. I’m exhausted, but not giving up hope just yet. I have faith that you can make a Drew Barrymore or Robert Downey Jr. style comeback. You’ve played the role of “crazy” for way too long. America has built you up yet attacked your every move. However, if we’re being honest, the choices you made that America has attacked have been pretty easy targets. You’re past the point of any press is good press. It’s time to give the public good things to talk about. Where your life goes once you leave prison is up to you. Unfortunately, you don’t have the privilege of getting your life in order in private, and fair or not, you are and will be held to a higher standard than the average person. In light of this, you really need to start making choices that make you look good, not the other way around. In order to get your career back, you need to rebuild your fan base and the only way to do that is to regain the trust that you have lost through photographs with drugs, crashing into trees, and making public scenes. No one is going to waste time cheering for someone who is doomed and incapable of helping themselves. It’s like rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs; until they make a commitment to improve, they are not going to win any NHL titles. Lindsay, you have a lot of life left in you (both career, and well, let’s be honest, literally life.) Use these 23 days to get yourself together and decide you’re going to come back stronger than The Situation after a day of GTL.
As both sides accept responsibility, a compromise must be made. Lindsay can’t do it alone and the American public sure as hell won’t give her a break until she shows she is willing to help herself. America, let’s cut her some slack and root for her to get better, not find satisfaction in watching her collapse. Lindsay, America has no reason to root for you if you don’t make changes. You would be amazed at how your reputation is chiseled by what you are seen doing and who you are seen doing it with. I’m confident that this is the beginning of a new phase in the Lindsay Lohan saga. There’s nothing people like more than a feel-good, comeback story. Maybe someone will make a movie out of it and I know someone who will be looking for work.
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