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12/31/2012

You all took Fantasia 'far out of context' when you read her own verbatim words

by Jeremy Hooper

She did include gay marriage and weed as her only two examples of a world gone mad. But of course it's those of us who simply reacted to the words that she herself chose to post to Instagram who are really to blame for whatever scrutiny the former "Idol" winner may now be facing:

Official Statement • For Immediate Release

December 31, 2012
Contact:
Timothy C. Boston, Entertainment Publicist
Christopher Boston PR, an entertainment public relations firm based in Maryland, releases a statement on behalf of Fantasia Barrino and manager Brian Dickens of BD Management

Comments made by Ms. Barrino through her Intragram account were recently taken far out of context, and the purpose of this release is to set the record straight. Ms. Barrino is not now, nor has she ever been an opponent of the LGBT community. She has supported and performed at numerous events that are sponsored by the LGBT community. Whether it’s through a live performance or placement on social media, Ms. Barrino uses every opportunity to reach out and connect with her fans, all of her fans.
# # #

If something was out of context, then here's an idea: explain what was out of context. She wrote it—those of us who saw it simply reacted. Heck, I'm being credited as "breaking" the story, and I (a) simply posted her words with virtually no added commentary of my own and (b) could not have less of a bone to pick with this particular artist. So if I and a million other people were wrong to have a natural reaction to some words that seemed pretty self-explanatory, tell us why we were all wrong. Just saying we decontextualized is not enough.

How many more messengers must be (rhetorically) shot before a public person spines up and takes responsibility for his or her own condemnatory words/actions?

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**UPDATE, 1/4/12: Fantasia's latest response:

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Note to future celebrities who are misunderstood by millions: Just tell us, in one concise sentence, what we misunderstood. And take responsibility for the wording that led to the misunderstanding. Offer a clear end to a scenario that earned you attention rather than attacking the messenger. It's actually pretty easy.

Maybe there are people out there wanting to attack Fantasia, but I'm not one of them (full disclosure: I couldn't tell you one song she sings).

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