Call It What It Is

Whitney Houston died. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you already know this, and while it is truly a sad event when someone dies, especially someone with a child, it’s even sadder that her problems are being swept away. Everyone is trying to focus on her “legacy”- yes, she had an amazing voice- a true God given talent- but she also had a huge problem. She was an addict. She was addicted to a plethora of drugs and alcohol. All of this has been documented. Yet, no one will come out and say “she died of drug use.” Well, she might not have died DIRECTLY of drug use, but indirectly, yes, I’m sure her body was broken down. Years of drug abuse will damage your organs, damage your mind, and damage relationships. While we should be celebrating her life, and her voice- we should also be discussing the undisputed fact that her death was a result of her own choices. When Celine Dion got a little impassioned about drug use this morning on Good Morning America, it was deemed “not the appropriate platform”- what people don’t realize is there is never “the appropriate platform” to discuss a drug users habits. As a matter of fact, no one addresses drug use as a cause of death- no one wants to admit that someone with such a talent would have such a problem. If celebrities or the American public/media really cared about her “legacy”- they would be screaming from the rooftops “DON’T DO DRUGS. DON’T BE LIKE WHITNEY. OR MICHAEL JACKSON. OR AMY WINEHOUSE.” But instead, we are lamenting the loss of a voice, or a legend. So let’s keep it real people- while a musical talent was lost- that loss is due to the reckless behavior and use of drugs. Let's stop glamorizing it.

And for what it’s worth- the contributions of soldiers dying in Iraq/Afghanistan (or dying in any war for that matter) mean a whole heck of a lot more to me than Whitney Houston singing “I will Always Love you”.