Justin Bieber’s bad behavior has been making headlines lately. However, Sharon Osbourne’s comment that his crazy antics are the result of him thinking he is black, serves as a reminder that race, unfortunately, still plays a major role in how people are perceived in the media.
From peeing in restaurant mop buckets, to spitting over a balcony into a crowd of his own fans, Justin Bieber has clearly been on a downward spiral and tarnishing his good boy image.
Many stars and fans have been speaking out in defense of the young star, but Osbourne’s explanation was perhaps one of the most troubling of all.
“I feel really bad for him,” Osbourne said during a blunt interview with The Daily Beast. “There’s this little kid with a huge dream, he’s cute, girls love him, and he wants to be a mean boy…”
After explaining that Bieber really comes across as being a true “bad boy,” she then suggested that by “acting out” he is acting black.
“And I think that he’s lost, I really do,” she added. “I think he doesn’t realize he’s white and not black, that’s a huge problem.”
In a situation where his character is being called into question, why is it that his racial identity would even be a factor or a topic of discussion?
As it turns out, the concept of white people behaving badly simply because they think they’re black isn’t uncommon.
Before Amanda Bynes’s began her downward spiral, the media went into a frenzy suggesting she was trying to “be black” by piercing her dimples and changing the way she dressed.
When it comes down to it, the perception of many of today’s young stars is tied directly to the color of their skin.
While Rihanna is being bashed as a trashy starlet and a terrible role model for her fans, Miley Cyrus is being defended world wide as a young girl who is simply growing up.
Both songstresses have made references to drugs in their music, shared twerking videos on social media, and become well known for posting provocative pictures of themselves.
So why is Miley met with sympathy and understanding while Rihanna has become a walking, talking social taboo? Why are our expectations and reactions to white celebrities ‘behaving badly’ so drastically different from black celebrities taking part in the same antics?
Both Cyrus and Beiber have been referred to as confused child stars trying to navigate the world of Hollywood, and their transition into adulthood. Apparently, they are so confused that they have even lost track of their racial identity.
Rihanna, who was only 17 when her music career started and her video for “Pon De Replay” received national attention, has yet to be excused for any of her actions just because she became a start at a young age.
Meanwhile, Bieber’s antics still haven’t come to an end, as pot was found on board the “Boyfriend” singer’s tour bus on Sunday.
When the bus was traveling from Canada into the U.S., border authorities at the Ambassador Bridge searched the bus and discovered a small amount of marijuana that was intended for personal use.
The young pop star wasn’t on the bus when the drugs were discovered, but the driver was issued a civil penalty.
Back in March, weed was also found on board Rihanna’s tour bus while the singer wasn’t on board.
