Designer Nguyen Cong Tri arrested for drugs: Don't cover up your mistakes with talent

It is undeniable that Nguyen Cong Tri is a talented designer, who has contributed a lot to Vietnamese fashion in the international arena, but this "slip" has broken a once-honored model, a symbol of professionalism and creativity.

The more famous and influential an artist is, the greater their social responsibility. They not only represent themselves, but are also role models and inspirations. When Nguyen Cong Tri designed for Beyoncé, Rosé, Michelle Obama…, he was not only recognized for his talent, but also for contributing to the position of Vietnamese fashion. But because of that position, he is not allowed to make mistakes in the most basic things: breaking the law.

Violations of the law, especially those involving drugs, cannot be considered a "personal problem". Drugs not only destroy health, but also threaten the moral foundation of society. The use or organization of drugs by artists and public figures is a behavior that is many times more dangerous than that of ordinary people, because it easily creates the mentality of "talented people have the privilege to make mistakes".

PHOTO: FBNV

We should not attack Nguyen Cong Tri. His crimes have been dealt with by the law and he will certainly have to pay the price (his career will be affected, his personal image will be ruined in the public eye and he will be in trouble with the law...). But we should not blindly defend him either. Talent and morality cannot be separated if one wants to become a person with lasting influence. A talented person is not necessarily a good person, and no one can guarantee that a good person who has contributed to society will not do wrong.

It must be understood that violating the law is synonymous with violating social ethics. We cannot use the "beautiful past" to "obscure" current responsibilities. Every citizen is equal before the law. A civilized society cannot have "no-go zones" for anyone.

The incident of designer Nguyen Cong Tri needs to be clearly recognized: the higher the "position", the more one must protect oneself; achievements in career and mistakes in private life must be completely separated; and the public, love cannot be the basis for mistakes, if those mistakes are weakening social trust. What is worth mentioning now is that recently, many people have chosen to react emotionally: defending artists, specifically designer Nguyen Cong Tri, with regret for a "talented person who once brought Vietnamese fashion to the world ", justifying him with the way of thinking "everyone has a weak moment", "career pressure", "the loneliness of famous people"... That is a distorted way of thinking when deliberately covering up the wrongdoings and crimes of artists and famous people with their contributions or talents.