I'm taking this whole thing personally, which I know, not the healthiest reaction to bad news, but here we are. I'm going to write more about Whitney Houston's death later, but while trudging through the immediate media aftermath and emotional clean-up, here are a few thoughts:
1. Don't pretend that the narratives of celebrities' lives don't affect those of the non-famous. It is archly cynical to treat this kind of tragedy like it can't possibly matter, to go on living as if you never had a meaningful moment in the grip of popular song, as if the concerted effort in bringing talent to bear on worldwide audiences was in vain. As if feudalism wasn't the pervasive reality of everyday life. As if you shouldn't be thankful that someone's voice made it more worthwhile. "Sophisticated" people willfully believe that it's absurd to allow a pop star's death to resonate emotionally if you did not know her personally. These people are losers. Is it not equally absurd to disregard the fact that her songs trade in emotional resonance, that this was her product, and when consumed seriously these products work marvelously?
2. The drug abuse shaming and finger-wagging among spectator plebeians is the definition of vulgar. If you can't understand celebrity (which who can? It gets weirder everyday), you probably can't understand addiction, anxiety, performing under pressure and the attendant joys of misbehaving and disabusing bad publicity. Unless you do, at which point the self-righteousness is not only in poor taste but also hypocritical.
3. Just for the sake of experiment, behold the Whitney Houston reportage under a feminist, anti-racist, anti-ageist lens. Most of what you'll notice deserves serious reproach. These despicable peasants make my stomach turn.
4. If you never liked her music, then how about we refrain from passing judgment, and respect the rights of others to practice Diva Worship as their chosen religion? In the 21st century, you heathens.
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