Many of us will have been inspired by a public mission, whether it is because of a cause they passionately fight for, the status and celebrity they hold, or the ability to capture what is heavily felt in the hearts of many – giving a voice to the voiceless. They become a focus for the things we want to achieve or do not have.
Being captivated by the good
Some of these inspirational missions have used their status to achieve much positive change, such as the abolition of apartheid in South Africa championed by Nelson Mandela, or the abolition of the Slave Trade lead by William Wilberforce.
The temptation is to place these people on a pedestal and to be blind to their humanity; their cause and celebrity moves attention away from the simple fact they are as human as everyone else.
The darker side of placing someone on a pedestal comes when we overlook alarm bells that all is not well, and we become blind to serious causes for concern.
Jimmy Saville
Louis Theroux’s documentary on Jimmy Savile is chilling viewing. In it, Theroux examines his earlier documentary featuring Savile, and his subsequent friendship with him. Savile’s flagrant lack of appropriate boundaries and attitudes towards women was overlooked at the time as being part of his eccentric persona. His inflated celebrity status was protective of his repeated abuse towards vulnerable young women and girls, with even those close to him either in denial or looking away. Savile had effectively manipulated the public into ignoring any misgivings by presenting the image of a man who may be slightly quirky, but incredibly generous to the unfortunate in society.
During the course of Savile, we see Theroux grappling to make sense of how he could have been so easily fooled – especially for someone who has made his career by asking difficult and insightful questions. Theroux had been had.
Feeling let down by those we looked up to
It is a universal, if painful, experience to be let down by those we once trusted and looked up to – when we realise that that person is not who we once believed them to be. Our illusion is shattered and we question both our judgement and our ability to see people for what they really are. As tempting as it is to want to see the best in people, especially when they have the weight of great status and fame behind them, allowing ourselves to be blind to suspect behaviour can allow abuse to flourish.
Recognising abuse
I believe we have a duty to allow our minds to engage with and bring to light those nagging thoughts that tell us a situation is unjust, corrupt or abusive. Our minds have an unfortunate tendency to deceive us when faced with contradicting or unfavourable information. But it is only by purposefully engaging in the messy reality of the world around us, that we can be best placed to protect those who are vulnerable and unable to speak out against abuses – whether carried out by corrupt and unjust systems and collectives, or by individuals.