When a celebrity passes away, the media pounces on the story. In seconds, the story is blasted across major outlets and every social media feed. We get the information as BREAKING NEWS and people wait with bated breath for the nitty-gritty details about how they died.

Remembering Those We Lost

What a morbid world we live in!

Some people become nostalgic about the celebrity’s work. They reflect on how a song set the stage for a special moment in their life. How a movie, television show, or play inspired them, made them laugh, or made them question the world. A book helped them escape their troubles. A piece of art gave them a new perspective on an old standby.

Others people ruin the nostalgia of it all. They jump to judge. Before any details are released, they presume to know the cause of death. That’s when things can get ugly.

It’s Not About You

You’ve seen the comments on social media after a celebrity passes away. Sometimes there is praise but too often the trolls come out to play. Top of the list before we even know how they died is usually, “I bet it was an overdose”, “he did it to himself”, “he threw it all away”, or “what a waste”. These comments are thrown around as if it is okay to tear someone down who dies from addiction. The stigma on mental health runs dark and deep.

Somehow a celebrity who dies from cancer deserves our respect but the person who died from a drug overdose is somehow less worthy. Prince and Tom Petty both passed away from accidental drug overdoses. Does that somehow diminish the amazing legacy they left behind? Absolutely not.

Whether it was from an accident, illness (addiction is an illness too), natural causes, or violence, the loss of life should always be treated with dignity. We should look back on what someone has accomplished, not taint their memory with our biases about how we think they passed away. It’s what they did in life not how they died that mattered.

Leaving Behind a Legacy

Celebrities put themselves in the limelight. That puts their personal lives on display, right? Unless you’re a Kardashian, that’s not how it works.

Many of these people are artists working in a field that inspires them. They may want recognition for what they do, maybe even hope for fame and fortune, but that does not mean they want people dissecting their personal lives. That is why you see so many celebrities keeping a low profile and shielding their children from the paparazzi.

Should a doctor, teacher, plumber, or waitress have their personal life on display? After all, they serve the public too. We expect privacy for ourselves but so many people are quick to stick their noses in other people’s business.

In a strange way, we are all put on display when we die. Our obituaries tell our story and strangers try to fill in the blanks. If they do not know you, who are they to taint your legacy with caustic comments? Would you want someone to label you without knowing who you really are?

It’s time to celebrate the legacy of a life lived, celebrity or not, and put away the judgment. We all leave a mark on this great big world. Show a little respect.