American-based Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Jewel Djansi has shared a strongly worded emotional message following the passing of Ghanaian actress Beverly Afaglo Baah.
In a Facebook post, the filmmaker recalled how she once shared news about Beverly’s house fire in a bid to seek public support for her, but said the reaction she received at the time was largely negative.
“When Beverly’s house burned down, I posted it here on my Facebook seeking support for her. Insults. Abuse. Derision,” she wrote.
According to her, instead of sympathy, some social media users mocked the actress during her moment of distress, an experience she says has shaped her perception of people.
The director and producer further stated that she deliberately kept the post online to serve as a reminder of what she described as the “cruelty” that was revealed at the time. She further questioned why social media users are now posting pictures of Beverly Afaglo Baah and captioning them “RIP” following her passing.
In her post, she suggested that some of the same people who are now sharing tributes were not necessarily supportive when the actress was alive, expressing concern about the sudden wave of public sympathy now that she is no more.
“What are you posting RIP for now? A people who do not want to help you heal. They wait for your collapse so they can feel taller standing beside your ruins,” she added.
Leila Djansi went on to criticize what she described as a culture of negativity, where people allegedly celebrate the downfall of others while pretending to show support later.
She also referenced the German term Schadenfreude, describing it as the pleasure some people derive from others’ misfortunes.
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“A people who cannot wait to hear you have failed. A people who measure their success by another’s failure,” she wrote.
The filmmaker further expressed frustration over what she sees as harsh and insensitive behavior on social media, accusing some users of hiding behind fake sympathy after previously being unkind.
“Fake tears. Fake people. Haters masquerading as fans,” she added.
She concluded her message by suggesting that the late actress’s passing should serve as a moment of reflection and change for society.
