Before joining forces with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt was known primarily for being hot, an endeavor he was remarkably good at. He has moved from eye candy to political awareness, though, and he has shown to be even better at this undertaking. Whether giving time and money to victims of Hurricane Katrina or raising awareness about issues such as same-sex marriage, Pitt is a guy that’s used his popularity to get more than laid.
But does that mean that his entire family agrees with him? Apparently not …
In a letter to her hometown paper, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, Jane Pitt writes that Christians, like herself, should not refuse to vote for Mitt Romney just because he is a Mormon. The published response to an earlier opinion in the paper describes President Barack Obama’s opponent for president as “a family man with high morals, business experience, who is against abortion, and shares Christian conviction concerning homosexuality.”
What I don’t understand, though, is why this is news.
My mother was raised in an extremely right-wing family. As she grew into adulthood (at the height of the sixties, I might add), she developed her own ideas and opinions, becoming quite liberal. There were never any turkey-throwing incidents at Thanksgiving over politics or anything, and I had no clue how different her views were from the rest of her side of the family until I was nearly an …
… adult myself.
And I’m sure that, had my grandfather written a letter to the editor endorsing a Republican candidate, it would not be news. In fact, it would probably not even be discussed, not because anyone would want to pretend that we all agreed but because I was raised by a family that respects each other and their ideas, even when they don’t feel the same way.
The difference, of course, is that my mother is not world famous.
But is this fair to either Brad Pitt himself or, even more significantly, to his mother?
According to NDTV, Pitt’s fiancee Jolie is pretty pissed off.
If Brad Pitt won’t try to change his mother’s opinions, Angelina Jolie is ready to step in to try and convince her future mother-in-law to change her views.
The source added: “Angelina has told Brad he must educate his mother, but Brad is too much of a mama’s boy. If Brad won’t do it, Angelina will have to take matters into her own hands and talk to Jane about how, as the mother of such a prominent celebrity, she shouldn’t be writing letters that clash with her son’s personal opinions. It’ll inevitably end up in a huge blowout, with Brad stuck in the middle. Brad keeps telling her not to take this so seriously, but when Angie sets her mind on something, there’s no talking her out of it.”
Also speaking out on the issue is Pitt’s brother, Doug Pitt, who defended his mother’s letter on a recent Today interview.
There to discuss his viral Virgin Mobile Australia ad, Pitt made sure to defend his mother when asked about the family’s varying opinions. Here’s what he had to say: “You know, I think moms and dads and kids agree to disagree all over the world. So why would our family be any different?”
He continued: “There can be healthy discussion when people disagree with you. The bad thing is when it turns to venom and negativity, and we don’t have that in our family. It’s open discussion. We can learn from each other and, if anything, it solidifies your point. Or maybe you learn something.”
I think that Doug Pitt is onto something here. After all, it’s the listening that is important; even if you disagree with someone, hearing why they feel a certain way can expand your own thought process, which is never a bad thing.
It seems patently unfair that Jane Pitt, merely because she popped out a movie star, is being skewered by the media for having an opinion that is not in tandem with that of her son.
There is no doubt that parents are judged on the actions of their children all the time, but should the magnifying glass go closer just because your kid is … well, Brad Pitt?
I don’t think it’s very fair on Brad Pitt, and definitely not on his mother. Jolie is being very unfair to try and make Brad talk to his mum about it and then say that she’s going to do it herself if he doesn’t. She’s allowed an opinion and she should be allowed to say whatever she wants. Brad Pitt’s brother has the right idea, and seems to be the sanest in the family.