Dear Shia Haters,

I’m well known for diving in and tackling issues, so I’m going to go ahead and do that now: why do you hate him so much? Is it because of what he said? Or because of who he is? Or has his unfortunate situation given you another opportunity to jump on your soap box and declare how awful another person is? I ask because this whole thing seems to be blown out of proportion for an event that happens pretty much on a regular basis in New Orleans, getting drunk and being obnoxious. Before you ask, yes I’ve watched the videos, read the coverage, and here is what I’ve observed: some of you have never been to New Orleans, or experienced Mardi Gras. (If you haven’t, you’re missing out—it’s wild, trust me.) What happened is part of a New Orleans and a Mardi Gras experience: Not him, but people getting tipsy, starting trouble, and saying things they shouldn’t. Having experienced the festive occasion a couple of times myself, it’s a few weeks of people relaxing, having fun, and yes, getting drunk. So, lets recap what happened shall we: Shia was partying, got drunk—again this is an activity that is synonymous with New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It was 2 AM (nothing ever good happens at this time of the morning) and he was outside a local bar doing what drunk people do, being obnoxious. (Yes, I realize people are saying it was a gay bar, it’s actually a neighborhood dive. I know this because it was a few blocks from where I used to live.) People recognized him—probably as buzzed as he was—their phones came out, because again that’s what people do when they see a celebrity (former celebrity), chaos follows, words are exchanged, a scuffle happens, and the police show up and someone ends up in cuffs. Welcome to New Orleans! The only reason y’all are up in arms is because a B-list actor was involved, and suddenly y’all become experts on public morality, clutching your pearls and jumping up and down shouting: “how dare he!” Yes, he said and did some things he shouldn’t have, but how many of you haven’t said or done something stupid under the influence of a few cocktails? If your answer is you haven’t, then bitch you is lying threw your teeth. Let me repeat this again, PEOPLE DO STUPID THINGS WHEN ALCOHOL IS INVOLVED, even celebrities and those who used to be celebrities (this might be why he has anger issues have you thought of that?) I get he said derogatory things about gay people, and his attempt to make amends didn’t go so well either because he said more stupid things, however, is that any reason to burn the poor man at the stake? It’s obvious he may have a few underlying issues that he needs to work on, but instead of vilifying him, maybe we should show him some compassion instead?  Talk to him and let him know why he shouldn’t say stuff like that. Let’s take a step back and focus on bigger issues, like the ongoing attacks on LGBTQ rights, and all the other stuff that’s been happening since the orange one took office. That is where we need to be focused. We don’t know what’s going on in his life, just like nobody knows what’s going on in anyone’s life after a night on Bourbon Street. (Other than their need for food and a relief to their pounding headache.) Should we be judge, jury, and executioner? Probably not. Maybe try extending an olive branch to individuals who obviously need it instead of thrusting your pitchforks at them which inevitably makes a bad situation worse. Maybe we should allow him to sleep off his hangover in peace and focus on other issues that matter to us?

Sincerely,

Give the guy a break