I can imagine the enormous pressure celebrities face on a daily basis. While criticism of their work is often unavoidable and sometimes even justified, it’s unrealistic to expect every artist to hit the mark every time. Just as entertainers can have nights off, it’s part of the job.
However, in today’s world, one would hope that public figures would rise above personal attacks and online trolling. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The internet has become a giant megaphone that amplifies every opinion and makes it easy for anyone to voice negativity. Not only do celebrities have to deal with real-life encounters with angry fans, but they also have to deal with a barrage of harsh comments when sharing moments from their lives on social media.
Halle Berry experienced this first hand over the weekend when she posted a stunning nude photo of herself. The Oscar-winning actress posted a picture of herself on a balcony, holding a glass of wine and nothing else, with the caption: “Doing what I want to do.”
While many fans praised her for the stunning shot, there were of course negative reactions as well. One critic voiced her disapproval and suggested that at her age, she should focus on family instead of sharing nude photos.
Given her long-standing status as a Hollywood icon, you’d think Berry would ignore such negativity. But the Catwoman star had a witty response that her followers found entertaining. She retweeted the criticism, adding, “Did you know a shrimp’s heart is in its head?”
Fans rallied around her, with one commenter saying, “As someone your age, keep living your best life and sharing whatever you want.” Another added, “Imagine being upset because a beautiful woman is proud of her body, that can’t be me.” Even actress Audra McDonald chimed in, saying, “You won the internet today with this backlash.”
In fact, Berry’s smart response garnered far more positive attention than the initial criticism. It’s refreshing to see someone stand up to narrow-minded bullies. What do you think about Halle Berry and her decision to share this nude photo? Do you think she crossed any boundaries? Share your opinion in the comments!
A Wrestler’s Choice: Sticking to His Beliefs
Making sacrifices for your beliefs and sticking up for what you believe in is admirable. The 18-year-old Colorado native and former high school wrestler Brendan Johnston is all too familiar with this. Brendan made a risky choice in 2018 that essentially put a stop to his high school wrestling career. He declined to compete in two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing personal and religious convictions as his justification.
In recent years, the question of whether it is fair to compete physically between adult males and adult girls has gained more and more attention. Many people think it’s unjust to expect men and women to compete on an equal footing because they are fundamentally different from one other, both biologically and in other ways.
Brendan objected to the thought of going up against Skyview High’s Jaslynn Gallegos in the state tournament’s opening round. He also declined to take part in his consolation match against Valley High’s Angel Rios in the third round as a senior at Colorado Springs’ Classical Academy. An interview with KDVR provided a Christian explanation of Brendan’s choice. He said he felt it was too violent and physically uncomfortable to wrestle with a girl. He added that his background and religious beliefs had influenced how he saw women’s roles and distinctions from men.
It’s critical to remember that Brendan’s choice has repercussions. He finished sixth in the tournament while Jaslynn and Angel finished fourth and fifth, respectively, as a result of not wrestling the two females.
While acknowledging Brendan’s decision, Jaslynn voiced her disappointment at not being able to challenge him. Her gender doesn’t define her ability; she views herself first and foremost as a wrestler. She is aware, nevertheless, that social judgments can still hinder her.
Brendan made a contentious decision that sparked debates and dissenting views. How do you feel about Brendan’s choice not to engage in a wrestling match with a female? We would be delighted to hear your opinions.
To learn more about Brendan’s choice and its effects, watch this video:
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