BOOOO to BOOOOOOS

Deb: Recently Justin Bieber was the halftime act at the Grey Cup Game here in Toronto, and I was appalled to find out that he was booed. Booed throughout his performance and booed when he came on stage. WTF?

Some people will say that it was because he wore overalls the day before to accept a Queen’s Jubilee metal. First off, let me say that he explained himself saying that he was backstage doing a meet-and-greet and had to be presented the award in a small stadium room. Even the Prime Minister tweeted his support and made a joke about the fact that he had told the Biebs that he, too, would be wearing overalls.

Some people booed because, as they said, they simply don’t like him or his music. Really? Booed him for that, did you? Listen, I am not a fan of the Biebs in that I don’t have his music on my iPod, but I am not supposed to be a fan. His music isn’t for me. I am not his demographic. My version of the Biebs was the Monkees and David Cassidy. Every generation has theirs. But I do appreciate the fact that whether or not he is your cup of tea, he is a talented, very hardworking young man. I think he deserves respect for that. I am ashamed of the fact that a stadium full of people (not all of them, clearly) booed him. What are these people thinking? I hate the booing. Hate it. Hate it for anyone. Not a fan of our mayor. I would go so far as to say I do not like him or the job he has done in this city. Yet if I were introduced to him, I would shake his hand and say “How do you do?” And in a public forum I would never ever boo him!

I hate when the out-of-town team is booed anywhere in any sport. It is the vestiges of Roman Gladiator days that I wish had disappeared! I find it rude and childish, mean-spirited and offensive. In the last months, from the presidential debates to the Beibs appearance I have heard more boos than Halloween on steroids. I find it the basest part of our culture. Does anyone ever stop to consider the fact that these people are just trying to do what they have been elected to do or hired to do? They are bringing their skills to the table, like them or not. They are human beings, after all. Just picture yourself trying to make a point at a town meeting, or making a presentation at an office meeting—and people boo you. You make an appearance in the room, you simply step in, and you are met with boos. Think about that for a second. I think you will find that it hurts.

I don’t even care that I sound like an old fogey today. This is so rude. It makes me so sad that this young man stepped on to the stage in that halftime show and was jeered and booed. Add to that the fact that he was hired to do that job. Shameful.  Because no matter who he is, or who you think he is, I can guarantee you, he was hurt. Who wouldn’t be?

The individual who is being attacked is doing his or her best to bring their talents. As a member of the chorus of boos, you have nothing to offer but your cowardly mob mentality.

Not really a talent is it?

Barbara: Well, if being appalled by this makes you a fogey (which I do NOT think it does), then paint me fogey too. I didn’t watch the game (which is the Canadian equivalent of the Super Bowl), but heard a passing reference to the booing. I was so surprised that I thought the Biebs must have done some horrible thing—like a hit and run, or a nasty tweet. To find out he was booed for being himself is so shocking and, frankly, disappointing, I don’t even know what to say. Thankfully, Deb, you did a bang-up job of saying it all. This riles me especially since I’ve only heard lovely things about the boy—and he’s also still a boy, people! Sadly, he had to experience a hard life-lesson in how the “reptilian” brain gets the better of too many people. Like you, Deb, I have always always hated the booing. You know what I love, though? Unabashed cheering and clapping.