Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars and the reason he did is the reason I won't be watching. We are once again seeing that someone is being punished for something they did in the past, almost 10 years in the past.
When homophobic tweets were brought up from Kevin Hart's past, he responded in a way that I have to applaud. According to Variety, he did not immediately bow to the pressure of the press and apologize. He made the point that people evolve and change as they get older. Truer words could never be spoken.
The reason I stand with Kevin Hart on this is because I believe him. If he was truly homophobic, he would continue to make the same statements he made all those years ago. His life is a reflection on what he believes. There are those who say that just because he hasn't said anything in over a decade doesn't mean anything, but it does.
In a society that believes that reform is possible and that we should not prosecute people for petty crimes, we are doing a good job of prosecuting people in the public eye for things they have said in the past.
Coss Marte is a good example of someone who has changed his life. He was featured in The Guardian for not only changing his life in jail but now helping others change their lives through working out. He was a young man when he started in the drug business, now he is a businessman who helps others.
There are many instances of when people have said or done things in the present that have been ignored by the press in general. One instance is when the press themselves are the ones making statements. Don Lemon currently works as an anchor for CNN called white men the biggest threat to our country. He was not asked to step down or quit, he is still enjoying his job.
I am a big believer that people can change. I know people who have come out of drug addiction and moved on to have a great life. I know people who have gone from being overweight and unhealthy in helping others with a healthy lifestyle. People can change and they do.
Are we all required to keep bringing up our pasts? For a world that is so tolerant of others, we cannot seem to let go of persons past. Do we only focus on it if it fits the narrative? What I see is that you can blame white men for our problems but you cannot raise any other type of identity in a comedy act.
I agree that things can be hurtful, but everyone has said something hurtful in their lives. Be it against one person, a group of people or everyone in general. To think oneself free of that truth is a farce. Instead of persecuting someone for their past, look at their present.
