Second Chances

No doubt a lot of you who are reading this are familiar with the story of Ted Williams. The homeless man turned professional voice-over artist became a Internet sensation recently. Williams's example demonstrates the power with which the redemptive arc continues to hold the American mind. William started with a promising career in voice-over work which was then wiped away by drug and alcohol abuse leading to the rock bottom of homelessness only to overcome his demons and begin a meteoric rise to new heights. It's certain that its this kind of story, and the American fascination with it, that has accounted for Williams's redemption. However, has our eagerness to accept Williams as a redemption story diminished the wrong he did in his past? When you consider that Williams left 9 children fatherless because of his addiction and was arrested multiple times, you have to wonder does he deserve the sudden celebrity more than someone else? The second chance is as integral to the American identity as apple pie and football, but it seems to me that Williams has been given two chances before others would get one. While his talent is incredible, wouldn't it seem more just, and potentially wiser, to higher an unemployed person with some talent over an ex-con with a lot of talent?