An Open Letter to 1D Fans Re: Nick Grimshaw
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a 37 year old Londoner who works for an organisation trying to create opportunities for young people. I spend my days trying to prove how much more they are capable of and celebrating it when they show that. I work with a huge network of people who do the same. And its hard. The media are constantly trying to demonstrate that young people are “challenging”, “lazy” “different” And they are different, they approach things in a unique way, without the weight of experience and past failure. And they inspire me. Every single day they inspire me.
So I am frustrated. Because yet again the media are focussing on the few, suggesting that within your ranks as 1D fans there are some laughable, foolish and worst of all, abusive members. And they are assuming they are young people.
In One Direction you have created a phenomenon. And I don’t mean your boys, lovely as they are. I mean your movement. You have created a multi-national, diverse community that has driven millions of pounds in media coverage, driven staggering sales of downloads, CDs, DVDs, tickets and a variety of merchandise that beggars belief. You loved your boys and you made them stars beyond your community. You did that. You have created something my generation don’t seem to understand. A group with shared interests communicating irrespective of race and national borders; A group driving commercial activity, commanding media attention, a group with power. So yes, you have created a phenomenon. With that success comes a responsibility. You have to decide how you want to be known as a group, how you reflect on other sectors of society that you overlap with.
Because right now, from where I’m sitting the impression I’m getting is of a group that permits vile, hateful and, in my country, illegal activity within your ranks. The British media have kindly drawn my attention to some online abuse that has been committed by purported members of your group. And whether you were involved or not, this is how you will be known. Unless you do something. I know you can, you’ve organised yourself to drive Vevo wins and trend keywords. This is ‘walk in the park’ stuff for you. But just in case there are some suggestions further down.
To 1D fans not directly involved no matter what your age: I ask you this. Would you stand alongside a friend who shouted abuse to strangers in the street? Who threatened them with physical harm? If the answer is no you must act. Calmly and sensibly but you must act. If you know someone involved bring this article to their attention. Apply the values that you would apply in real life to those online. Unfollow those involved. Cease communication with those you know were involved. Report the tweets, the comments, the posts you see. They want attention. They want kudos for bringing their ‘cause’ to light. Starve them of that attention.
If you were involved and consider yourself a young person I ask only that you read below and consider the comments. Some day soon you will be in a position of authority. And you will have the opportunity and maybe even the temptation to belittle, to speak hurtfully to, to abuse people under your care. Will you be so easy to do that then? Will you be one of the people creating a society of judgment, fear, insecurity and narrow-mindedness? And you will work and interact with people who do things you disagree with. Will you spit your vile at them because their actions do not meet your preferences? Will you shout abuse when they do not do your bidding? If the answer is no, (and I hope it is because my nieces and nephews will be growing up in a world you create) then please
1) Delete your tweets, your posts, your comments that could in any way be considered hurtful
2) De-friend others who do not
3) And quietly, without fuss start to think about what you post and the impact it has both on the intended target and on the group you say you belong to, One Direction fans, young people.
One day, a long time from now, you will tell your children about how you were a fan of the biggest band in the world and you’ll show them pictures and they’ll tease you and laugh and point at each of your boys and ask questions. Do you want to admit to your children it led you down a path of hate?
If you were involved and consider yourself an adult there is little I can say. If you cannot by now reflect on your own behaviour in this matter there is nothing I can do. Except report you. Which I will.
And to all those responsible whatever your age. Im coming for you. I am going to systematically go through every tweet I can find and report it. And those tumblr blogs. And those instagram comments. And because Im 37 and my social life is dwindling these days I’m going to keep doing that for the foreseeable future. And I’m going to encourage everyone I know and the young people I work with to do the same. Because the media and various other interested parties may be scared of losing your “clicks” ,“likes” , “retweets” and comments. But Im not. And where I come from we stand up for our own and we do our best to root out behaviour that violates our rules. And one day, members of your group will be running this and many other countries, so we’d better start working out who is up to the job fast. With any luck the police will be starting to take notice about now. This is not a game and Nick Grimshaw, like him or not, is a real person. So when you threaten physical harm, when you hurl homophobic abuse at him, it’s not big, it’s not clever and its certainly not funny.
PS British Media – pull your finger out. You had an opinion when Beth Tweddle was on the receiving end. It was “disgusting” “horrific”. Why is this different? Because he’s a guy? Because he’s gay? Because you think they’re kids? Because you like to whisper behind your hand and giggle about the rumours? Get Over it. Stop ridiculing this generation and start understanding them. Because they WILL be your boss in 30 years time when your pension pot is looking a little bare.
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