Photo credit, Ethan Swope/The Associated Press, fair use
Rather than functioning as a mere headline reader, clickbait consumer, or surface-level thinker by simply reading the title of this entry and drawing a conclusion, I invite you to take a moment to actually consume the content of this blogpost. Otherwise, you may misunderstand me.
Regarding fires which have been declared “one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles [LA],” at the time this blogpost is being drafted, the fires reportedly have “killed at least five people and forced nearly 180,000 people from their homes.”
All the while, I’ve observed a number of social media content creators ostensibly celebrating the fact that LA, home to Hollywood, is up in flames. This celebration is apparently in regard to schadenfreude—pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.
For context, many people—a number that includes me in the cohort, have been displeased by beliefs about the utter disdain many Hollywood directors, producers, writers, actors, and others seem to have for members of the audience who don’t share certain sociopolitical values.
While I can’t presume to know the inner-working of the minds concerning online content creators, I will speak for myself regarding this matter. For approximately a decade, I’ve observed diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA) narratives and characters from Hollywood.
Colloquially referred to as “woke,” artificial DEIA storytelling expression has ruined what could be counterfactually argued as an otherwise enjoyable experience when watching films and other Hollywood (and Hollywood adjacent) material. I imagine that you’re familiar with such content.
In one instance, a five-foot, 100-pound woman serves as a federal agent who’s able to beat the ever-loving shit out of six-foot, four-inch men weighing upwards of 250 pounds. She’s a real bad ass, accomplishing her missions where lesser men have failed in a similar role.
Another example, a nonwhite girl is exceptionally gifted in the practice of science. She bests all of the other boys and girls in a film when demonstrating her superior ability to solve complex problems. Even educators, especially white men, are no match for her superior intellect.
Various versions of this DEIA tripe have permeated storytelling from Hollywood, and much to the disappointment of audience members. All the same, movie critics and other professional or hobbyist reviewers who presumably maintain special access to celebrity circles are said to issue glowing reviews.
Because I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I remain undisturbed by the nonsensical DEIA narratives flowing from Hollywood. Instead, I use logic and reason to think through unhelpful beliefs. As a result, I’m able to experience adaptive behavioral outcomes.
For instance, in blogposts entitled Green with Anger, Okie-Woke, Pinoke, Mary Sue, and Life in Plastic, it’s Fantastic I addressed my rational perspective on the rot of DEIA in Hollywood. Thus, rather than experiencing unhealthy negative emotion (e.g., rage), I’m merely disappointed.
Yet, I’ve observed a number of social media content creators who likely don’t practice rational living through devoted practice of REBT and who appear to be truly joyous in regard to their beliefs about the LA fires. “What’s the problem,” you may ask, “Isn’t joy a healthy emotion?”
I’m not here to judge these fallible human beings, as I’m also a flawed individual who needs to use rational thinking in order not to gloat about the presumed downfall of Hollywood creators. Still, I understand how joy and pleasure from the suffering of others is possible in the first place.
When further contemplating this matter, I’m reminded of classic hip hop group Public Enemy’s album Fear of a Black Planet (1990) which contained the song “Burn Hollywood Burn,” featuring the lyricists Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane. Have you heard the track?
Each of the lyricists express their displeasure with how Hollywood apparently lacked representation of empowered black actors and narratives. Because of their self-disturbing belief-consequence connections, the lyricists advocated razing to the ground Hollywood by way of fire.
How times have changed! Not only did Ice Cube go on to become a Hollywood superstar, black people are arguably overrepresented in Hollywood projects—using a per capita comparison of the population size and percentage of black people portrayed on the big screen.
Even given this perspective, I’m unbothered. While there was a time when specific racial, ethnic, and other groups may’ve been underrepresented in Hollywood – a matter about which lyricists on “Burn Hollywood Burn” were quite self-disturbed – topical DEIA solutions seem to have overcorrected regarding this matter.
Therefore, I can understand how social media content creators are now in the position of Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and Big Daddy Kane from 1990. However, unlike these creators, there’s no joy or pleasure for me regarding the LA fires.
Many people’s lives will be changed in a way that I hope never to experience. (Although, I imagine that if I did I could tolerate and accept the unpleasant outcome when practicing REBT.) Thus, I’m not experiencing schadenfreude.
May each of the people impacted by the LA fires find peace. For those who’ve lost their lives, may their loves ones eventually accept the unexpected loss. Also, may DEIA burn to the ground. And for those government authorities whose actions have likely contributed to the destruction, may they live forever.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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Hollings, D. (2023, May 11). Catering to DEIA. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/catering-to-deia
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