CRESTON MAPES

Dear Hollywood...

9/6/2019

Dear famous actors and musicians,

I’ve been wanting to write to you for a long time. It’s one of those subjects that comes up often, but fades. Finally, thanks to one of your recent public comments, I’ve found a few minutes to pull my thoughts together to let you know what’s going on in my mind and, I venture to say, in the minds of thousands of your fans.

First of all, thank you for all the amazing work you do to enrich our lives. For me and for most Americans (indeed, for most people around the world), some of our fondest memories are of watching your heart-stopping films on the big screen and seeing your rousing concerts live in concert. Amazing! Breathtaking! Nothing compares! Bravo!

Secondly, and interestingly, many of my all-time favorite actors and musicians don’t align with my political or religious views. But that’s okay.I still respect them immensely as creative, gifted human beings who bless us with their talents. I still buy their products and support and appreciate their work.

So, the reason for this letter boils down to one question: why can’t you famous actors and musicians show the same respect for me—for allyour fans—as I/we show for you? Why can’t you be okay with our beliefs and political preferences, as we are with yours? It’s a simple question. Why isn’t it a two-way street?

To give you the benefit of the doubt, perhaps you genuinely don’t realize that not all your fans think like you do and agree with your political and religious preferences. But, how can that be true? With the millions of fans you have, you can’t possibly think every single one aligns with your mindset, opinions, and worldview.

Perhaps you just don’t care. Maybe you’re so wealthy that you figure it won’t hurt to hurt and embitter a few thousand fans.

Or, perhaps you genuinely don’t realize that when you go off on your angry, hyped-up political rants, or when you show open disdain for the faith some people have built their lives on, that you are judging and disrespecting the personal beliefs of thousands of your own fans. I’d go as far to say you’re biting the hand that feeds you, but that sounds crass and mean—and that’s what we’re trying to avoid here.

Since you’ve not worn my shoes and I’ve not worn yours, perhaps the best thing to do is for all of us to make a concerted effort to respect each other as individuals. Find the good. Appreciate each other’s strengths and gifts and positive attributes.

Isn’t life tough enough without disrespect and hatred and discord? Indeed, isn’t that one of the main things your movies and music are meant to do—to carry us all away from the cares of this world for a spell? To provide a few minutes or hours of escape from the trials that await us in the real world?

Again, I love and appreciate your work, and respect your individual worldview. In turn, I hope you’ll respect me with the same dignity.

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