With the need for apologies this week from Serena Williams, Kanye West and Rep. Joe Wilson, it is a good opportunity for society to reflect on what has brought this type of behavior to the forefront (“Serena is Suddenly Court-ly,” Sept. 14).
Americans’ lust for social networking, twittering and status updating has brought society’s self-absorption to the forefront.
Narcissism, as well as bullying, have always existed, but the newer tools of social networking sites, which allow people to incessantly share their most personal thoughts with the world, has helped turn America into one large high-school cafeteria.
Williams’ rant and threats, the bullying of a 19-year-old girl by an older man on a world stage and the utter disrespect of our highest office all bring back memories of the unpopular kid getting pushed around in the school yard.
It seems we are all back in grade school.
Gregg Gavioli
Manhattan
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West proved to be nothing more than a common thug (“Drunken Kanye Steals Show at VMAs,” Sept. 14).
For him to jump on stage and rudely and very unprofessionally take a sweet performer’s moment of glory away was ridiculous.
Carl J. Hafner
Copiague
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Williams should be fined her entire prize winnings by the USTA, and she should have been banned from any further play in this year’s Open, including women’s doubles.
There is conclusive evidence of her inexcusable vitriol and bullying against a much smaller woman. Yet at first she had the temerity to address the issue as her “passion for the sport” and excuse it as her being “in the moment.”
Williams is not taking this situation seriously. She is a millionaire, several times over. A $360,000 fine will not hurt her, but being banned from next year’s Open will.
Tom Cahill
Manhattan
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There has been a recent rash of needed public apologies from such wide-ranging fields as music, tennis and politics.
Instead of embarrassing oneself and being forced to make an apology, wouldn’t it be better to use a little common sense and act responsibly in the first place?
Kenneth Zimmerman
Huntington Beach, Calif.
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Williams’ court outburst serves to permanently enshrine her in a long line of combative and humiliating tennis stars of yesteryear, including Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.
Williams’ infraction is worse than those of the male miscreants, as she not only used vile and beastly language, but also threatened the line judge, who was obviously terrified of her.
There is a simple and effective means to deal with Williams and others who suffer from “spoiled athlete syndrome.” Boot them from their sport for a year or more, hitting them in their wallets, and let us see how often these ingrates spout off.
We live in a society in decline. Impressionable children see uncivilized and unworthy individuals like Williams and Michael Vick at the pinnacle of the world of sports.
Meanwhile, a US representative destroys the traditional decorum of the House chamber by telling the president, “You lie.”
This is not the world in which I grew up.
Oren M. Spiegler
Upper Saint Clair, Pa.
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We should all go out and buy Swift’s album.
Thank you, Beyonce Knowles, for being the classy lady you are.
And, as for West, good riddance!
Steve Sacco
Newark, NJ
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After the stunt pulled by Wilson during President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress, I did not think that anyone could possibly pull off something more classless or stupid.
West proved me wrong at the MTV Music Video Awards.
Bill King
Cranford, NJ