Disclaimer…
Folks!
A new feature on my website called Whose Next?
Of course this was inspired by silly Paula Deen. The purpose of this is not encourage stereotypes or to place blame. I am not trying to hurt feelings or be negative. What I am trying to do is let people know there are celebrities that may appear healthy but are not. I want people to know that any person can acquire diabetes no matter their ethnic group, personal habits, or appearance. The public views celebrities as being perfect and infallible. Sadly, many adults and children alike are influenced by celebrities and their lifestyles without a thought of how their lifestyles may be affecting their health.
The thing people don’t understand is that folks with Type 2 diabetes had lives/habits before diabetes that may affect the development of diabetes. A person can behave in a counterproductive manner for so long before the body breaks down. Basically that is what I wanted people to notice in column. I look at celebrities and their behavior and wonder if they are diabetic.
I am not trying to “out” a celebrity because it is their personal choice to announce a health issue or keep it private. However, I want people to question celebrity habits and lifestyles to see if they are encouraging a chronic condition. Why celebrities? These are the only people that have world visibility and will hold the attention of the masses.
More reasons:
- I want folks to view celebrities for the human beings they are. Behind all the make up and glitz is a person that can still develop diabetes or have any other chronic disease.
- People tend to think diabetics have a “look” or a stereotype. A celebrity’s public persona can mask plenty health and mental issues. This has been proven time and time again.
3. Hopefully this is a wake up call to a few celebrities that are closet diabetics or closet any other condition. Perhaps the only people they are fooling are themselves.
Example: Elvis.
When Elvis died he was diabetic and was in horrible health. He had enablers that only served to make him worse. Sadly in death, he never realized the personal stupor that was around him. The public accepted his gross image and personal neglect just to hear his golden voice.
4. We the public should not tolerate our celebrities to be nothing but the best in their respected fields. Life has its up and downs but a strong dose of reality sponsored by public opinion can help a celebrity reinvent themselves into a positive person.
5. Celebrities do have a right to personal privacy especially when it comes to health and family issues. However, a celebrity could be an inspiration to plenty of people by highlighting their struggle.
I know there will be people that will find what I am doing as negative and promoting mythological stereotypes. There are armchair quarterback bloggers that don’t do anything to help the diabetic community in their own town but suddenly have the time to voice an opinion about my column. I am fine with hearing your opinions. After a disgruntled reader of this column has stated their opinion…..
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
What are you doing in your own town to spread awareness and abolish diabetic myths?
Just remember the ball is in your court………
