The Editor,
“Bait and switch” is a despicable practice where a seller advertises his goods in a favourable manner but when the consumer arrives, the goods are switched into something less favourable.
Why, then, are celebrities revered so much when they engage in such practices?
An awards show is advertised as the celebration and recognition of artistic excellence. The audience watches the show, which is then hijacked by celebrities who steal our time and lecture us on their political or personal views that have nothing to do with the advertised artistic excellence.
It happens at NFL football games. Instead of being able to watch a game, we must also watch the national anthem being disrespected by players kneeling during its playing.
At concerts, artists disrespect us and think so little of our time that they force us to listen to them speak, in a holier than thou way, about people they despise because their beliefs differ from theirs.
It is time to fight back against the “bait and switch” by boycotting these celebrities. They will soon conclude that they no longer want to ambush us to force their views down our throats. They should be encouraged, however, to use their freedom of speech in appropriate forums.
We should encourage the expression of views, not stifle them by trying to shame others.
Brian Bastien, Coquitlam
