Last Sunday, NBA All-Star, Kobe Bryant, passed away in a horrific helicopter crash. His 13 year old daughter also lost her life in the accident. There were 7 other people on board who perished with them, two of them were team mates of Kobe’s daughter.
Lives have been turned upside down. Five families have lost immediate family members. People are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Children, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, fathers, and mothers, ALL devastated.
NBA fans everywhere are in a state of shock. NBA players are heartbroken.
In the midst of all this pain and heartache, there are folks saying some really mean things about Kobe. I cannot imagine what impact these things are having on his loved ones. They’ve already suffered such a cruel blow. Now they must endure all the banter about past indiscretions.
I believe there is a time and place for everything. This is NOT it.
I’m always appalled by how ruthless humans can be. I try to see the good in people. I try to treat others as I’d like to be treated. No, I’m not perfect, far from it. But this Kobe bashing is hella wrong. Kicking a person when they’re down, doesn’t make you better than them. And the Bryant family is down right now, rock bottom.
Kobe is gone. Speaking ill of him is only hurting those closest to him. My heart breaks for his family. I feel bad for all the families affected by the crash.
Why would anyone want to add to the Bryant family’s pain right now? Stop and think about the words you write and say. Imagine his wife or 17 year old daughter reading them.
Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. You don’t have to be a Kobe fan. You don’t have to like him. His family doesn’t deserve the hate that some are spewing. His wife and daughters have done nothing wrong.
As a wife and mother, I could not continue reading mean comments about him, without speaking up. I know my opinion doesn’t matter. But I have to do what my heart tells me is right.
Think about his family before you speak. Put yourself in their shoes. Choose compassion. I’m not saying you can’t speak your mind. I’m just asking you to consider his family, and refrain from any negativity until the family has (at least) had a chance to lay him to rest.
My mom used to always say: If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. I’m sure your mom said it too. You know what? Our moms were right.
