The last thing in Héctor Ferrer's mind yesterday afternoon, is that he would be the main character in the lamentably public episode of his detention this morning by Puerto Rico Police on allegations of domestic violence. http://tinyurl.com/hectorferrer
At the outset, I'll say this blog posting is NOT about the underlying issues that have led Mr. Ferrer to where he is, or where he may be heading in the near future. It is a broader discussion about what I have termed "It".
As we watch, "It" is happening to Mr. Ferrer.
And if you think you have to be a major political figure for "It" to happen, think again. To be sure, prominence, political or otherwise, plays a role in determining how visible "It" is. But it is not a necessary ingredient. Previous prominence propels the subject's "It" to even higher visibility. However, our online connectivity and real time reporting of information, via Twitter, Facebook, and other social media can make even a previously unknown and ordinary citizen the object of immediate--and lasting attention.
In the process of that exposure, one thing is clear. Whatever image there had been of Héctor Ferrer, it will be different from now on. How different, no one knows. But it will be different. "It" will change him, and how others will perceive him.
In his case, "It" may affect his career as an elected public official in Puerto Rico and as a candidate for office. There is a substantial amount at stake here.
Therefore, how one handles "It" becomes critical in helping shape that perception, after "It" happens.
The pillory of centuries past, that icon of public shame, never contemplated having a far more powerful cousin in our real time social and online media. A descent from the altitudes is always painful, and is more so when so many get to see it. Here's another example, from this past weekend: http://tinyurl.com/casiraghi
In Mr. Ferrer's case, there are legal proceedings that must necessarily precede any resolution of "It" before the effective management of his image before the public. And I do not want to tread into the accusation of "well, you are subordinating a serious domestic violence matter" to a matter of Mr. Ferrer's resulting reputation. Far from it. I am only saying that, once the legal matter is addressed and resolved, Mr. Ferrer will have to deal with the long lasting legacy of "It"...irrespective of the outcome. "It" happened, and will have to be addressed forthwith.
Two elements come to mind at this point. First, Ferrer's attorneys will have a key role in defining his public positions. As trained legal practitioners, they are (hopefully) acting in a way that will minimize his legal exposure. But oftentimes, competent counsel is not trained in the art of managing "It" from a public relations perspective.
In fact, otherwise competent counsel can become especially disastrous public relations consultants. Read here the astonishing explanation proffered by Dominique Strauss Kahn's attorney, suggesting his client did not know the women he consorted with at sex parties were in fact, prostitutes: http://tinyurl.com/DSKlawyer. And you would think a guy like DSK would know better.
Second, Mr. Ferrer is now simply too emotionally involved to fully grasp the magnitude of "It". And his actions aprés "It" will have to be thorough, and above all, pass public, not legal, muster. That is, if Mr. Ferrer desires to have a viable outcome ofter today.
