By Cheryl Mattox Berry
I don’t understand why some people try to walk back their words after they say offensive things. Do they think people will forget? Whatever comes out the first time is usually how a person really feels, so why not own up to those statements.
Or better yet, why don’t they think before speaking.
I can’t delete what I’ve heard. I’ll never forget the hateful words spoken by actors Michael Richards (“Kramer” on Sienfeld), Mel Gibson and Jonah Hill; celebrity chef Paula Deen; and some black clergy speaking out on gay issues. Whenever I see them, my mind automatically goes there, and I don’t hear anything they’re saying at the moment.
Former model Cheryl Tiegs is the latest public figure to back pedal. She criticized plus-size model Ashley Graham for being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, saying she represented an unhealthy lifestyle.
Graham dismissed Tiegs with a “whatever” and a roll of her eyes, and continued to bask her size 14 body (size of the average American woman) in the spotlight. That was classy.
Tiegs, who graced the cover of SI in 1978, apologized a few days later. She blamed the media for taking her comments out of context. Truth is, she was fat shaming. No doubt someone got to her and said her comments might cost her some $$, so she had to take them back.
It’s too late. Those words will ring in the ears of Graham and other plus-size women more than her hollow apology.
A few years ago, people were so politically correct that it was nauseating. Now, whatever comes up comes out. Blame it on reality TV, the contentious political climate, the Obama backlash or whatever.
There’s a certain level of civility that has been lost in our culture. Tolerance has been tossed out the window, too. Unfortunately, social media has given people a platform to say ugly things in anonymity.
This should the litmus test: If you’re unwilling to tell someone face-to-face what you’re about to say or post, then don’t do it.
No one is entitled to say mean things to another person. Keep those thoughts to yourself. That’s what my mother and grandmother taught me, and what I taught my children.