As usual, my husband and I are watching American Idol this year. We enjoy seeing the contestants work their way up the ladder, hoping to get themselves noticed and jumpstart their careers. What is boggling my mind right now is how completely classless some people are when it comes to how they speak about a person they don’t even know.

I joined the fan page of AI9 Contestants on Facebook, just so I could see what the contestants are posting, and how they feel about the competition. Imagine my shock when I started reading some of the comments other people had left for them, and saw some very cruel, very *crude* comments! I couldn’t believe it. Show some respect, already!

Ok, I will admit it. A lot of the competition has seemed a bit like a “snooze-fest” so far. Very slow songs, not a whole lot that is up-beat and gets your blood pumping. I get that. However, to go to a fan page and post derogatory comments to the contestants you don’t care for is totally uncalled for … and totally inappropriate.

Do you people not realize that some of these contestants are still children?? Take a look at the photo I have put here. Aaron Kelly is 16 years old. Katie Stevens is 17 years old. How would you feel if one of these beautiful children belonged to you? What if they were your child, your brother, your sister, your cousin, or your friend? Would you like for people to be crass and rude to them? No? Then why do you say the things you do to them? Even for adults it is inappropriate, but much more so to say [things like I have read] to a child. If it were my child having to read those comments, I would be livid!

Let me put it into perspective. Just by the comments that I have personally read, if put into any other arena (i.e.; a work place, on the street, in public) this is how it would show up:

If said to a woman – sexual harrassment
If said to a child – indecent acts &/or pedophilia
If said to a black person – racist
If said to a handicapped person – prejudiced
If said to a gay person – gay bashing

Not looking very pretty, is it? If these things were said any other place, charges could actually be filed for one of the above reasons. So why does everyone think it is ok to say ugly and disgusting things to American Idol contestants, who are simply trying to do what they love to do? It turns my stomach.

How about this? Be respectful of everyone. There’s a thought. If you don’t like a particular contestant, don’t post on their status updates on the fan page. (Or anywhere else, for that matter!) Simply keep your mouth closed. If your favorite got voted off, take it for what it is, and show encouragement to those remaining.

They are *all* working like crazy, providing entertainment for you, and putting their best foot forward. I think that alone deserves respect. Seriously, how hard is it to have a little class and be part of a productive society?

Stepping off my soap box … for now …