Charles Ramsey: Unnecessarily Slammed by the Media

Charles Ramsey, the hero and overnight sensation who rescued three women and one child, including Amanda Berry, (who had been missing over a decade) from a Cleveland home, has recently come under fire in the media for having past domestic violence arrests on his record.  Recently, it was revealed by media sources that Mr. Ramsey had three formal domestic abuse convictions on his record, resulting in prison time, from over a decade ago. Ramsey responded the media by stating that he had "grown up and moved on" since these convictions, and The Smoking Gun even went so far as to reach out Ramsey's ex-wife for comment, who has since forgiven Ramsey and remarried.  The online news source also posted Ramsey's mug shot, excerpts from the police reports, and details about each of his convictions.

Are these personal revelations about Ramsey- though public record- really necessary for the media to focus on, not even 48 hours after his heroic act? Is this an attempt to discredit and/or shame this man, and for what purpose? It is no secret that Mr. Ramsey is quite the straight shooter and not your typical interviewee, and some may argue that Mr. Ramsey is not one that most people would say has the appearance of your stereotypical "hero," or "do-gooder" in society.  Because of this, an even bigger question now plagues me...will future potential heroes be discouraged from helping others or receiving recognition, because they are afraid of their pasts coming to light? Why does society as a whole associate heroism with certain images, words, or appearances, and not with others? In reality, heroes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, and classes. To dig up, and then shine a light on, this man's past poor decisions that were made long ago, in no way discredits his present decision to take action and help these women to escape freedom.

Charles Ramsey remains a hero, in my opinion, and is now an overnight internet celebrity. Whether he wants this new found fame or not, it is here- and Mr. Ramsey will now have to deal. One can only hope that the positive support Mr. Ramsey receives from the public will outweigh any negative associations that the media is attempting to envelope him in. In conclusion, the pointless distraction of past negative actions, in an attempt to remove focus from a current, positive action could have devastating consequences on society as whole. Though past actions should not be ignored and should indeed be acknowledged, a focus and utter disclosure of personal details is completely unnecessary and distasteful.

Watch Charles Ramsey's interview below...what do you think or the media's focus on his checkered past? Is this man any less of a hero in your eyes?