Why Do We Place Strangers On A Pedestal? Can That Enable Abuse Of Power? | Ruby Franke Case.

Welcome. I feel like I know you, but we’ve never crossed paths. Something captures us: talent, entertainment, curiosity. Are potential abusers monetising at our expense by manipulating an audience? *All opinions are my own*

Recently, I came across the Ruby Franke case. I don’t think I had heard of it until this week or so, possibly I’ve been living under a rock, or my memory is playing tricks on me. 

Anyway, I saw a documentary regarding the case, I then researched further details about it in real time to make the picture more full, as I couldn’t quite frankly believe what I was hearing or reading.

‘Momfluencer’ Ruby Franke, 42, pleaded guilty to starving and abusing her children in ‘a concentration camp-like setting’.

Ruby Franke was a mom/family based influencer, married with 6 children. Within three years or so she amassed over 3 million subscribers on YouTube, by vlogging her family life; offering tips, advice and everything else in between under the channel name: 8 passengers. While many initially didn’t have any red flags regarding these videos or her family life, over time, certain odd signs became prevalent. She’d vlog her mother-in-law’s funeral in quite an upbeat fashion, while including her husband and children on video at this emotional but peculiar time.

In one video as punishment for her son, he was banned from his own bedroom and was made to sleep on a bean bag for 7 months. 

On one occasion, her child misplaced a sock. As punishment, he had to search for the sock outside and give her ten pushups.

Upon separation from her husband, Kevin Franke, she hired live-in counselor Judi Hildebrante.

Ruby also forced son Russell, then 12, to work outside in scorching heat with no food or water as punishment.

Additionally, she expected her 6 year old daughter to make her own packed lunches for school – or go hungry. A teacher contacted Ruby, to let her know her daughter came to school with no food. Ruby reiterates that it was her daughter’s duty to prepare her own packed lunch, if she hasn’t done it she’ll have to go hungry as punishment and that no one should feed her that school day.

Franke admitted isolating her son, kicking him while wearing boots, holding his head under water and smothering his mouth and nose.

Some of her children were found with deep wounds. Within the open wounds cayenne pepper and honey was evidently found wrapped in duct tape on their extremities, malnourished and emaciated.

Live-in mental health counsellor Judi Hildebrante, also plead guilty. Both women received 4 consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years, although they may serve up to 30 years under state law.

Hearing about this case just makes you realise that you don’t know characters or facades online or in person at all. What goes on behind closed doors, often you will never know until it’s too late. 

Many interactions, friendships, relationships blossom over WiFi. It’s the norm to welcome or buy into imagery or a portrait you’re enticed to subscribe to. Whether it’s music, vlogs, movies – there’s one common denominator. Entertainment. They’re being paid to entertain us, it’s their job. We wrongly associate or come to a premature conclusion that we can judge and almost account for their character due to their glowing, possibly impressive résumé. At times that may bedazzles us due to the misconception that success and/or fame are only granted to those most worthy, definitely not predators.

We assign an image of a mentally challenged being or predatory behaviour to an unkept / clearly unstable, unsuccessful, ungroomed and pretty much a walking red flag anyone could spot. That’s why so often we get it wrong and it’s the persons we least expect. Why do we shield strangers with a cloak of protection?

We’re told and engrained from young not to talk to strangers, yet we introduce strangers into our front room. Surround sound anyone? Whether it’s in form of video, media, music or literature, it’s important not to idolise anyone or believe they’re above suspicion, as that’s why the prolonged time of revelatory deception are unjustly extended. We’re shocked and surprised when a public figure isn’t who we thought the were. A sense of mourning and disappointment. But when we hear about cases from unknown people we hadn’t heard of, it’s easier to digest?

We feed into the disparity and disillusion, enabling a conscious blindspot to whom we favour, not the facts we at times overlook to stay loyal to the manipulated narrative; also known as bias.

Many cruel people are living under the radar or in plain sight. Disable the pretence, only then will you gain context.

What do you think? How easily do you believe? Who do you idolise? Had you heard of the Ruby Franke case? Who do you fully trust? Comment below!