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We aren’t strangers to domestic violence being one of the biggest topics in the public eye when celebrities are involved. Domestic Violence is the one topic that can seem to unite America for “show” or “pretend”. America is known to take a strong stance on domestic violence against women when brought to the publics attention. The problem is the fact that nobody really cares that much about domestic violence against women when a celebrity is involved. If the celebrity is highly successful and liked by the public eye, America has been known to take a different stance on the subject or try to portray it in a not so damaging matter. I’m not saying that all celebrities don’t pay the price for their actions because that isn’t the case always. Chris Brown, an American performer was highly criticized for attacking his girlfriend fellow entertainer, “Rihanna”. Chris was able to pay his debt to society and still regain his fan base and the hearts of America. Entertainers, Athletes, and many celebrities have landed in the shameful spotlight for domestic abuse but back then social media wasn’t as efficient to affect the emotions and feelings of outsiders looking in. Today, domestic violence and bad publicity can spread in a few minutes globally. Social media has taken over this society to the point where “America” is only concerned about certain issues while people are watching. The current situation at hand is NFL star “Ray Rice” and his wife Janay being exposed through a elevator video where is show’s Ray knocking his wife on conscious and dragging her lifeless body off the elevator. The NFL had already given Ray a 2 game suspension following the release of the first video which didn’t show Ray hitting his wife but just dragging her off the elevator. Americas suspense is that the NFL commissioner had already seen the video and decided to sweep it under the rug to salvage Ray’s reputation and career. This situation taught me a few things; America cares nothing about Janay Rice the actual victim in this situation, Ray Rice and the NFL’s reputation were the top priorities, and social media can ruin your career in 15 seconds of video footage. I found it so tasteless that TMZ thought it was okay to release this video to the public for “Janay” to have to relive daily and be criticized. It’s also pathetic that the NFL commissioner really valued “Ray Rice” and his reputation over the real issue at hand. The NFL didn’t make the decision based off the fact that Ray Rice hit his wife, they made that decision because America found out. Social media has a major effect on the decisions made in this country in 2014. When will the “REAL” issues at hand really matter again? Social Media has changed this society for the worst but without it would “Janay Rice” had a voice to speak up for herself? Does social media affect America in a positive way or negative in 2014 when it comes to important matters?
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