Everyone everywhere has witnessed the public meltdown of Charlie Sheen, whether we want to or not. And whether you're entertained by or disgusted by it, there is no question that you feel like you're a part of it. While we have all read a Star or OK magazine from time while checking out at the store (You may not admit but you know you have) it was mostly a disconnected experience for us. We may laugh or shake our head in disbelief but then we quickly walk away and move on with our day. Never truly knowing how true the story is or getting the celebrity's perspective, but that has now all changed.
The Velvet Rope has been lowered
From celebrity twitter accounts to their Ustream broadcasts we are now more connected to celebrities and even more importantly they are connected to us. Did you ever think back when you watched Wall Street, Major League, or an episode of Two and a Half Men that you would one day be able to connect with Charlie Sheen directly on the internet? (ustream.tv/charliesheen) And now that you can I don't think we will ever go back.
Social Media Gives Our Voice A Platform
It's not a one-way street either. Not only are we able to be connected to celebrities but they are also connected to us. We have the power to express ourselves in various forms that make them take note and that they can't ignore. A great example of this a 10-year old girl who recently took to the internet to write an open letter to rapper Lil Wayne letting him know that she was tired and fed up with how he degrades women in his lyrics.
"Letter to Lil Wayne" is a direct statement of justice from Watoto From The Nile. Growing tired and fed up with the constant degradation of Black women inside of Hip Hop music, they voice their views and opinions on this melodic track
This statement is powerful in multiple ways. One in that through the openness of the internet these young girls felt empowered to make a statement for what they believe in and second in that there is a real possibility that he will hear the statement if he has not gotten wind of it already. This is just another example of how the Internet continues to remove the degrees of separation between us and allows us to impact or influence people who were previously untouchable. The hope should be that this allows for a crowd sourced checks and balance system where anyone who takes it to far can hear from the people they effect and be pushed to at least acknowledge it. And so that more young people Nya and Nia feel the confidence and conviction to make their voices heard from their broadband connection.