The last two days was a fury of activity over American Idol contestant Caleb Johnson, who made a joke about the thought of using peanuts in a prank against a fellow contender. Within minutes, Facebook lit up with comments and it was “game on” time! Food Allergy parents, advocates and groups like Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) leaped into action contacting Fox Broadcasting. Some posted directly onto Caleb’s facebook page. The big learning opportunities seem to be: more public education (hello Caleb) is needed and the fact our food allergy community worried about the influence of one brief television comment and its lasting effects.
Note: top image courtesy of Thankukorn via Freedigitalphotos.net
Food Allergy advocates were calling Fox!
Conversations Started. I did not watch the show myself, but someone immediately messaged me to ask about it. I immediately posted about it to other food allergy support leaders asking if they watched the show. Then it began- twitter and facebook buzzed with comments and sharing of folks contacting the powers that be asking about a public apology or comment. FAACT’s Facebook and twitter postings kept us up-to-date with information. There was much discussion about the influence on others taking life threatening peanut allergies so lightly–light enough to be a joke. People worried about attention being drawn to dangerous peanut pranks.
Apology. By last night, there was a public apology and the fury of energy has calmed down. I did not watch this episode either, but once again social media was buzzing about Caleb’s heart-felt apology. People were also pleased to see some media around the contestants who live with life threatening food allergies–it’s a good thing for the public to learn that food allergies are more prominent than previous thought.
Allergic Living Magazine offered a great next step idea!
GREAT Follow Up Idea: Allergic Living Magazine posted a wonderful next step for us to ponder: Gwen Smith offered us this gem this morning, “To err is human, to apologize – divinely important to millions of kids with food allergies. You can thank American Idol and tell them why the apology was important to you at: askfox@fox.com.” in her article, “American Idol’s Peanut Gaffe”. Following up with positive re-enforcement might also help influence how American Idol manages their contestants too!
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
I hadn’t even heard about this. I can see where he probably thought he was just being funny because HE knew he’d never do that and probably because he thought we’d all realize that, but unfortunately, he has to think beyond himself, and he didn’t. He thought of what would be a “funny” statement that he could make in the moment, and unfortunately he chose poorly.
Too many people, especially ones with influence, do not think outside themselves. A joke that is in poor taste said between friends in a private setting can be discussed and education on why the joke was wrong can be done right away. It does no harm outside the immediate and is squelched easily enough in most instances. A joke done in public in front of millions has an impact that cannot be fathomed. He meant it as harmless, but he had no idea and still has no idea how that quick, snap decision to make a joke in poor taste impacted those millions.
Some people are just waiting for a reason to do something mean, stupid or dangerous, and this gave them fuel. He may never know just what kind of negative impact that one sentence had, apology or not. That is the true tragedy in all of this. I am thrilled he apologized, I am thrilled this did not go without reprimand, and I pray it never happens again.
I also like the idea by Allergic Living Magazine. Using your voice to say thank you and explain why an apology was such a big deal will go a long way. If all they hear is the “How dare you!” and not the “Thank you for…” they will stop listening to us. If I had witnessed the event and/or the apology, I would be right there writing that note, but I didn’t so I will leave my comments to here for now. 🙂 If that changes, though, you can bet I’ll be there!
Thanks for sharing, Caroline!
I love how the food allergy community rallied together and raised awareness on a national level in a matter of hours. This goes to show how much work we have left to do, but also provides amazing encouragement that when we come together we can move mountains.
Lindsey,
Exactly! I was very impressed by how everyone dove in so strong and so swiftly! We can and will move mountains.