Celebrities should be allowed to use force to deter paparazzi, amirite?
It surprises me that the paparazzi are even allowed to do the things they do. They literally harass celebrities (shouting obscenities at them, making racial, sexist, or religious slurs) just to get a reaction from the celebrity. Then when they obtain the reaction, they flip it around to be something completely untrue.
Since apparently asking nicely to be left alone doesn't work, celebrities should be allowed to use at least a little bit of force if it means getting rid of someone who's harassing them.
Celebrities already have a high visibility due to their status and success. But they must live within the same boundaries and laws that we unknowns are expected to abide within. If you or I can not attack a camera crew, then celebs should not be allowed to. Alec Baldwin is a perfect case in point. He is clearly out of control, and regularly rants and raves slurs that nobody else gets by with. I am surprised that he keeps getting off so easily.
Since celebs are vaulted to success by FANS, then they must factor in to their equation that fans will want to flock around them wherever they go. The paparazzi is just trying to cash in on a slice of the monetary pie. It is an ugly game for sure, but everything has its price.
I doubt that every celebrity does whatever they do for fans. What if Tom Hanks just wants to be a great actor? Why the hell does he deserve to be harassed just because most people have seen at least one movie he's starred in?
I didn't really mean for this post to sound like celebrities deserve some sort of immunity to current laws regarding assault, but I feel like the whole ordeal (a celebrity being passive to paparazzi harassment) teaches everyone that it's okay to harass others if they're popular. Yeah, they should have known before they got in the industry... it's okay to treat them like shit.
All I know is, if I somehow became famous and people won't leave me or my family alone after I request them to, I'm going to defend myself. What pisses me off more than anything is a paparazzi member saying, "oh my god! you just assaulted me!" when a celebrity does finally fight back. Then they go run to Mr. Lawyer to protect them. People like that deserve a boot to the face.
All I was saying is that you DON'T become famous without fans! The following is who spends the money to make you what you become. If nobody goes to movies, then movies tank - pure and simple. The same is true in the music industry. If nobody is buying your music, then your artistry stays within your small circle of friends.
I don't think anyone should be able to harass anyone else - BUT, it is the nature of the vicious game they all play.
They should (and are) allowed to choose a profession that does not involve celebrity. Professions that lead to celebrity are highly paid and come with the hazard of non expectation of privacy. Actors, singers, sports stars, pundits, whatever, you choose that life and you choose the public eye. Become a teacher or a waiter if you want privacy.
A janitor would do as well..............
to a certain extent
but it's well know that this is part of the package
the only time force can be used by a celebrity is when the paparazzi also uses the same force
plus
using force on the paparazzi will only make the celebrity look bad
it's like being the oldest sibling
you should know better
you're the role model
you're the famous one
it's your reputation on the line
yea, thats harassment and everyone has...well, the right not to be harassed
It's not so much that we have the right not to be harassed, but that we have the right to defend ourselves if we are.
If their success can be built on the publics opinion on them, they should be able to be torn down by them. Flick them off with a smirk, something that lets people like you while still showing your attitude.
Harassment should not be condoned. Period. I don't care how much they rely on the public to achieve celebrity status.
A physical response is not legal for anyone. Just because someone is famous doesn't mean they can assault those who harass them. They do get harassed more, and I do not agree that the paparazzi should be allowed to continue this, but they do. Plus, how would you define a celebrity in the law?
As an individual. No more, no less. If any individual feels threatened, they have a right to defend themselves. In the celebrity's case, they should use their best judgement as far as defending themselves and bringing about even more harassment.
Personally, I think if the majority of celebrities began deterring paparazzi, there would eventually be less harassment because it would be known that celebrities aren't going to tolerate it any more.
I don't know, meeting a crime with violence isn't always the smartest, you can get hurt too. And that sounds somewhat similar to the stand your ground law.