I am kind of pissed as I write this. At my work we were celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and someone mentioned that it was Prince's birthday. I said yeah and everyone knows I am the Prince fan in the office so I was telling them how it had been declared Prince Day in Minnesota. One of my co-workers, who I generally like, said "So we're celebrating long time drug users now." She said it low and I had to stifle immediate anger and disappointment at the comment. It was so misguided and yet it will be the way a lot of people think about Prince. No one understand the anger and disappointment that all of us hardcore feel that things didn't go differently. I cannot judge Prince, why he did what he did, why he didn't get help, etc. But it won't be the way I remember him or why it is Prince Day or why several monuments turned purple the day after he died. Prince wasn't a saint, he was an enormously talented human being with flaws and shortcomings just like the rest of us. But to judge someone and to negate the positive he did by saying that Prince Day is celebrating a drug user is massively missing the point.

NorthC said:

Did you say this to her? Of course you don't want to spoil the party, but when somebody says something like this, any Prince fan would get angry. I would have said something like, "he was using pain killers for a reason. You don't know what you're talking about. Let's get back to the party!"

I should have but I am in a supervisory role and it does limit my ability to say very much without some kind of perceived recourse. I will have to smile and pretend like everything is normal but she dropped a peg from a personal standpoint. I later talked to another co-worker (who I trust) who said she would feel as angry as me if someone said the same thing about Elvis.

GottaLetitgo said:

I am kind of pissed as I write this. At my work we were celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and someone mentioned that it was Prince's birthday. I said yeah and everyone knows I am the Prince fan in the office so I was telling them how it had been declared Prince Day in Minnesota. One of my co-workers, who I generally like, said "So we're celebrating long time drug users now." She said it low and I had to stifle immediate anger and disappointment at the comment. It was so misguided and yet it will be the way a lot of people think about Prince. No one understand the anger and disappointment that all of us hardcore feel that things didn't go differently. I cannot judge Prince, why he did what he did, why he didn't get help, etc. But it won't be the way I remember him or why it is Prince Day or why several monuments turned purple the day after he died. Prince wasn't a saint, he was an enormously talented human being with flaws and shortcomings just like the rest of us. But to judge someone and to negate the positive he did by saying that Prince Day is celebrating a drug user is massively missing the point.

So sorry that happened. It was a purely uneducated, ignorant and uncaring comment. Honestly, if it were me, I'd feel a little sorry for her that she has to walk through the world with this sad outlook. But for you my friend, you are enlightened, educated, and caring. Let it go, seek comfort in favorite Prince song and above all take care of yourself. Peace, love and healing.

GottaLetitgo said:

I am kind of pissed as I write this. At my work we were celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and someone mentioned that it was Prince's birthday. I said yeah and everyone knows I am the Prince fan in the office so I was telling them how it had been declared Prince Day in Minnesota. One of my co-workers, who I generally like, said "So we're celebrating long time drug users now." She said it low and I had to stifle immediate anger and disappointment at the comment. It was so misguided and yet it will be the way a lot of people think about Prince. No one understand the anger and disappointment that all of us hardcore feel that things didn't go differently. I cannot judge Prince, why he did what he did, why he didn't get help, etc. But it won't be the way I remember him or why it is Prince Day or why several monuments turned purple the day after he died. Prince wasn't a saint, he was an enormously talented human being with flaws and shortcomings just like the rest of us. But to judge someone and to negate the positive he did by saying that Prince Day is celebrating a drug user is massively missing the point.

This is exactly what I mean. To the general eye, this was just another super rich rockstar that OD'd, that is the narrative that's being said the loudest, there's no lesson to be learned because there's nothing else for any prominent organization to grab ahold to beyond that. Maybe there isn't anything more. Makes me sad. But I'm still going to stand regardless, bunk 'em.

I had almost the same conversation at work today with someone I quite like. Knowing how upset I am about him I was a little taken back by how cold they were. But Gottaletitgo said it for me lets remember him for the way he lived and not for how he died.

Halloween is coming, so be prepared.

lucylula said:

Such a thoughtless thing to say, just not necessary and as my Mum always says if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all!

Exactly!! Just pisses me off. Being someone with rheumatoid athritis, I was once at a point where I couldn't even turn the ignition in my car the pain was so severe. I can't even imagine the pain that Prince endured constantly. I'm quite sure it was 10 times as worse as mine. I can only feel for him. Until you're in someone elses situation and under the constant microscope that he was under being a celebrity, who's to say that they would have handled it any differently. Like the title of the thread says, We will remember Prince for the way he lived.

GottaLetitgo said:

I am kind of pissed as I write this. At my work we were celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and someone mentioned that it was Prince's birthday. I said yeah and everyone knows I am the Prince fan in the office so I was telling them how it had been declared Prince Day in Minnesota. One of my co-workers, who I generally like, said "So we're celebrating long time drug users now." She said it low and I had to stifle immediate anger and disappointment at the comment. It was so misguided and yet it will be the way a lot of people think about Prince. No one understand the anger and disappointment that all of us hardcore feel that things didn't go differently. I cannot judge Prince, why he did what he did, why he didn't get help, etc. But it won't be the way I remember him or why it is Prince Day or why several monuments turned purple the day after he died. Prince wasn't a saint, he was an enormously talented human being with flaws and shortcomings just like the rest of us. But to judge someone and to negate the positive he did by saying that Prince Day is celebrating a drug user is massively missing the point.

What's the name of your Company and the address, city, state, and zip code? And this bytches name? Me and her need to have a talk!

Jost joking but that wench you just spoke about made me, hot!

I undrestand how you feel. We love Prince and hate people talking S*it about him. Remember though, people who were not fans or didn't get Prince have ALWAYS had a negative opinion of him...he is werid, crazy, gay, whatever ......I became a huge fan in 1993 and Prince changed his name to the symbol then and I can't tell you how much flack I got for being a fan. People ragging on Prince is nothing new sadly but it does make if more painful now that he has past. That was really insensitive of that person. That comment has more to do with her than it does about Prince.

Agreed 100%.

Unless you walk in a persons shoes to see how bad their pain is you shouldn't judge.

Your co-worker sounds like an insensitive jackass.

I've had one person act rude about Prince's death, I have not spoken to her since. She's gotten one text since April 21st.

It wasn't just her Prince reaction, but still

Prince did not die in shame for me ; he was 57 years old and lived a whole lot of life. I feel sad and joyful too today and some people never "got" Prince in life and they will not "get" Prince in his death. He is the one and only. No one can make him look bad for the pain pills for me - It says he worked himself to death and gave his all to his craft and to me as a fan. THAT makes me tear up he gave his all - how can that be shameful? It speaks to his character in on so many levels. I love him more if possible in death because he really gave- to the very end.

Vashtix said:

Prince did not die in shame for me ; he was 57 years old and lived a whole lot of life. I feel sad and joyful too today and some people never "got" Prince in life and they will not "get" Prince in his death. He is the one and only. No one can make him look bad for the pain pills for me - It says he worked himself to death and gave his all to his craft and to me as a fan. THAT makes me tear up he gave his all - how can that be shameful? It speaks to his character in on so many levels. I love him more if possible in death because he really gave- to the very end.

I am of a very like mind on this issue. At the very least it seems he was trying anything he could to keep doing what we all clamoured for him to do, keep making music and keep performing. I don't doubt that this started out as one of those tough it out type situations (initially taking the painkillers to dull the pain and not give in to it) that before you know it, turned into an addiction. It is certainly more of a tragic set of events than something shameful. Especially, especially, especially, in light of the fact that he was seeking treatment.

GottaLetitgo said:

I am kind of pissed as I write this. At my work we were celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and someone mentioned that it was Prince's birthday. I said yeah and everyone knows I am the Prince fan in the office so I was telling them how it had been declared Prince Day in Minnesota. One of my co-workers, who I generally like, said "So we're celebrating long time drug users now." She said it low and I had to stifle immediate anger and disappointment at the comment. It was so misguided and yet it will be the way a lot of people think about Prince. No one understand the anger and disappointment that all of us hardcore feel that things didn't go differently. I cannot judge Prince, why he did what he did, why he didn't get help, etc. But it won't be the way I remember him or why it is Prince Day or why several monuments turned purple the day after he died. Prince wasn't a saint, he was an enormously talented human being with flaws and shortcomings just like the rest of us. But to judge someone and to negate the positive he did by saying that Prince Day is celebrating a drug user is massively missing the point.

Good for you in how you handled that situation. No use causing an issue over someone's stupidity, especially since it had nothing to do with work.

We have to keep in mind that the same people who teased us about Prince throughout our lives are the same ones that will make these comments. Prince has gone, but the same haters live on. We can just keep our love for Prince for ourselves like we always did.

pdiddy2011 said:

Vashtix said:

Prince did not die in shame for me ; he was 57 years old and lived a whole lot of life. I feel sad and joyful too today and some people never "got" Prince in life and they will not "get" Prince in his death. He is the one and only. No one can make him look bad for the pain pills for me - It says he worked himself to death and gave his all to his craft and to me as a fan. THAT makes me tear up he gave his all - how can that be shameful? It speaks to his character in on so many levels. I love him more if possible in death because he really gave- to the very end.

I am of a very like mind on this issue. At the very least it seems he was trying anything he could to keep doing what we all clamoured for him to do, keep making music and keep performing. I don't doubt that this started out as one of those tough it out type situations (initially taking the painkillers to dull the pain and not give in to it) that before you know it, turned into an addiction. It is certainly more of a tragic set of events than something shameful. Especially, especially, especially, in light of the fact that he was seeking treatment.

Yep, he was trying to get help-he knew he needed help.

No. I'll most certainly remember both.

The elevator location will always bother me. We don't know what he was trying to do. Where was he going? Up? Down? Was he seeking help? I'm assuming he walked into it ok and just passed out?

morningsong said:

Halloween is coming, so be prepared.

If someone knocks on my door dressed as a dead Prince, they better believe they can come back as a zombie.

.

[Edited 6/7/16 15:30pm]

Vashtix said:

rogifan said:

cardinal said:

rogifan said:

I've seen my fair share of assholes on Twitter today all saying the same thing as if they think it makes them clever or something. Losers.

this is why i am surprised that the family will not release more info. there should not be a stigma anymore about the disease of addiction, but there is. and with prince's staunch clean lifestyle, its hard to believe that his family thinks he would rather have had his fans believing he was an addict than that he had a disease or was in pain. and even if he WAS an addict, for sure it is not as sordid a situation as many are making it out to be. prince's family would do right by him by letting the truth come out.

If there is more truth I think those who mock would continue- a fool is a fool is a fool all day everyday-

Prince died (as someone stated with no reason for shame. )I unfollowed all tabloids on twitter though; I refuse to read the manufactured stuff they are putting out for mainstream to digest. Prince was a real live human being and he deserves to rest in peace. Peace . . . I like to think he is resting in peace with those he loves who already made it to the other side.

I stayed away from being online today. I just cannot handle some of the ignorant comments.

TY for being a spot of sanity for me.

The notion that Prince was a "drug addict" in the manner we understand the term is a grave disservice to him. He was dealing with a medical problem and whatever he was taking had zero negative impact on his abilities. That he was able to deliver some of his best performances while dealing with these issues is a further testament to his dedication, force of personality, and physical strength.

AlexHahn said:

The notion that Prince was a "drug addict" in the manner we understand the term is a grave disservice to him. He was dealing with a medical problem and whatever he was taking had zero negative impact on his abilities. That he was able to deliver some of his best performances while dealing with these issues is a further testament to his dedication, force of personality, and physical strength.

S0 right...I am very aware of chronic pain and I konw how difficult it is for people (who don't have issues) to dismiss it as it is b.s. I have spent many years not really reporting it as a 'chronic' condition out of fear that I'll be thought of as a b.ser.

If P was on these pills due to pain, I have to say, I'm impressed as hell that he could be this in control and productive despite such a dependency and need for help.