“When did all famous people’s charities of choice involve children?”
It was a good question. John, hating to admit being a regular consumer of Awards Show television, had to give this away when engaging the conversation.
“I noticed that too. I mean, it’s always been a favorite charity, but like you said, it’s everyone now. The acceptance speeches at these Awards Shows have gone from ‘speak against hate’ to ‘here’s the child I’m personally sponsoring.’ And then they’ll have the actual kid there with them.”
Chris laughed, but not the amused kind. “Yeah, that’s what made me ask. Seems like every speech last night had some version of that. Like it’s cool and all, but also sort of… weird? I don’t know.”
There at least Chris gave away that he also watches the shows, bringing John some comfort, though he knew it was of a complacent sort. What they were describing wasn’t just seen within Hollywood, though. Similar scenes were seen during after-game interviews with sports stars. “Knowing little Nick—er, Nickie now—was behind the bench, was my inspiration.”
After recalling seeing this, John said, “But you’re right about it being all famous people.”
“You must’ve seen the Laker’s game the other night.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think much of it until the show last night.”
“Like I said, it’s weird and all. But I guess maybe a reaction to all those ‘groomer’ accusations last year…?”
“That would make sense,” John replied aloud…
But… wait.
There comes a time when the accusatory finger is answered with a grotesque admission of guilt. But because shame has been eschewed, the guilt is not one of recompense but rather a boast of “I will keep going,” resulting in an escalation of public perversion, enabled and spurred on by the spirit of Tolerance and Acceptance.
Chris will fall in line, believing the accusations first unwarranted, then outrageous because “this is how things should be anyway,” accepting society’s new ask for tolerance, as it works to further manipulate an already manufactured morality.
John will cease staring into the abyss because only then is one truly aware of what it entails and only then can one discern between true and false virtue. And in steering one’s focus away from abyss, one is saved from the inevitable: being swallowed into it. After the swallow, an opening might again appear. Who will be prepared to fill it?