Better hope you're popular, or good at sport, or...

This article contains reference to sexual violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and a few more troubling topics, reader discretion is advised.

Terry Gene Bollea died last week. You, like many, may be wondering who that is and why you should care. He was a racist, proudly self proclaimed, as well as a right winger and overall nutter. More importantly for this ranticle, he was Hulk Hogan, wrestling icon and one time portrayer of Thunderlips in Rocky I. The passing of Terry the racist got me thinking about what "celebrity" means for those who are shit people, in any of many varying forms.

In 2015 (we'll call him Hogan for ease of knowing who the hell we are talking about) Hogan got publicity when a racist rant he went on during a sex tape, not sure he understood how dirty talk is meant to work, which he had filmed in 2007. In the follow up to all of this, Hogan stated that he was a racist, after initially stating the statements did not align with his views.

I personally, have never felt the need to go on a rant about views which are not my own in the bedroom, but to each their own.

This isn't me ranting about one racist. The death of Hulk Hogan, who in 2018 was elevated to the Boy's and Girl's Club of America Hall of Fame, got me thinking about what successes in one field, or even multiple, mean for people when it comes to how their misdeeds are treated.

Men's rights activists, who should be put in a big tub and then the tub should be hit with sticks, often make the case "but what about false accusations from women, ruining the lives of men?". Whataboutisms are the bane of anyone who has ever tried to have a discussion about anything online, but this one at face value sounds alright, doesn't it? What about those poor men, accused of awful deeds? If the activists actually cared, maybe I'd join them in caring... however, I'm more worried about what happens when accusations are substantiated. What happens to victims when the perpetrator is famous, or deemed to be "promising", perhaps they are good at sport, or maybe they are just able to pay for things to go away?

Remember when Mike Tyson appeared in The Hangover? He was a fun loving, faced tattooed, lisp having, former boxer... I didn't see it that way. I saw a convicted rapist, able to comedy-wash his image after a career in which he also once tried to eat an opponent's ear. Maybe Iron Mike served his time (three years of what would have initially been six), maybe that is enough and his past deeds should be washed away? Should one deed end all of someone's prospects? Forgiveness is for god (if you believe that way) but to me, it has never sat right that an entire new career has been born for Mike after what he did. The companies who have hired Mike, the films which have cast him, and all the rest... I hate it all, for all the victims who have seen perpetrators walk free, and have to see a known abuser enjoying popularity and fame, applauded by those around them.

Hulk Hogan, Iron Mike, two of many... the list goes on and on and on.

Snoop Dogg has discussed his former career as a pimp and admitted to trafficking women...

I hope we never lose the trend of any time Brock "the rapist" Alan Turner, is mentioned online, people point out that he now goes by Alan, and having faced no repercussions for raping a passed out woman behind a dumpster, they keep reminding people of what he did.

There are the accusations against Sean Penn...

There is what we know about Chris Brown...

Accusations against Russell Brand (who then went all right wing and Christian-y and found a new fan base who don't care about those allegations)...

Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, the list goes on and on, whether its accusations and out of court settlements, or verified fact, if you are famous enough, or have the right fan base, it doesn't matter what you have done...

My heart goes out to anyone who has been accused of a crime they did not commit, but for those who have committed crimes, my heart goes out to their victims, especially those who are forced to see their abusers faces in the spotlight, in careers, unhindered by their deeds.

Please don't sue me for libel.