Fiona
Love Morrissey ♥
After scanning some of the discussions (and arguments) on the forums, it really struck me that it seems that much of the fans irritation and anger seems to stem from disappointment. Disappointment in Morrissey for not matching up to our ideals, hopes and expectations. If it's not about his latest musical release, it's his diet and vegetarianism. If it's not about his ill health, it's about our frustration at his lack of public confirmation.
Obviously, we are all fans, therefore we are interested, curious and passionate. We want to know it all. We are only human and we are bound to have hopes and investment in our favorite artist.
But Morrissey as a human being does not belong to us. He is not ours to condemn. His music is his gift to the fans, his interviews are glimpses into his psyche, but beyond that we do not really have a right to be contemptuous of his lifestyle, choices and actions.
I am a vegan, and I thank Morrissey for educating his fans on animal rights, but I am in no place to sit in judgement of what does (or does not!) pass his lips...It's his choice, his own ethics that he abides by, not mine. Not ours. You may call him a hypocrite, but you do not know the truth with certainty. And to an extent we are all hypocrites...to be human is to be flawed, I'm afraid.
I think it is probably healthy to be reminded that artists, while public figures, are not public property.
If somehow you, or we, feel failed by Morrissey, then I believe the fault lies with us-for having thrown him atop our metaphorical pedestal and claimed him as our representative. Morrissey never promised us anything, and all we have to own is the music. Music that makes him a very wonderful, powerful being.
In the past I have called Morrissey my hero. In a sense it's true: He has impacted my life in such a positive and powerful way, I will always have so much love and respect for Morrissey. But the moment I catch myself slandering his name because I believe he fails me or my ideals, I will ask you all to remind me of this thread.
Obviously, we are all fans, therefore we are interested, curious and passionate. We want to know it all. We are only human and we are bound to have hopes and investment in our favorite artist.
But Morrissey as a human being does not belong to us. He is not ours to condemn. His music is his gift to the fans, his interviews are glimpses into his psyche, but beyond that we do not really have a right to be contemptuous of his lifestyle, choices and actions.
I am a vegan, and I thank Morrissey for educating his fans on animal rights, but I am in no place to sit in judgement of what does (or does not!) pass his lips...It's his choice, his own ethics that he abides by, not mine. Not ours. You may call him a hypocrite, but you do not know the truth with certainty. And to an extent we are all hypocrites...to be human is to be flawed, I'm afraid.
I think it is probably healthy to be reminded that artists, while public figures, are not public property.
If somehow you, or we, feel failed by Morrissey, then I believe the fault lies with us-for having thrown him atop our metaphorical pedestal and claimed him as our representative. Morrissey never promised us anything, and all we have to own is the music. Music that makes him a very wonderful, powerful being.
In the past I have called Morrissey my hero. In a sense it's true: He has impacted my life in such a positive and powerful way, I will always have so much love and respect for Morrissey. But the moment I catch myself slandering his name because I believe he fails me or my ideals, I will ask you all to remind me of this thread.