Farrah Fawcett's cancer story airs tonight on NBC. I don't know about you, but I have mixed feelings about celebrity news and its urgency. On the one hand, I think it's important celebrities use their notoriety to educate the larger public on issues of cancer, AIDS, global warming, etc. On the other hand, I often feel like I'm being asked to put my life on the back burner and gaze into the illuminated life of a celebrity. You know, as if my own life or a relative's illness isn't as urgent or significant. You remember how the world came to a stand-still when Princess Diana died. Don't get me started on the aggressive outcry for Rihanna when people have members of their own community [household] suffering from domestic abuse.
I'm not throwing salt at Farrah Fawcett's life or her battle with anal cancer. In fact, since her breakthrough performance in Extremities and then Burning Bed I've been a fan. I just hate when society is asked to put their lives [or illnesses] on hold while someone with much more "significance" tells you their story. My heart goes out to Farrah and her family, no doubt, and all persons battling illness. I'm just not a fan of celebrity life trumping the lives of ordinary people.
What are your thoughts?
Keith Josef Adkins is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and social commentator.