Can I Get a Role Model?
Last week, three teachers from Los Angeles County, in Los Angeles, California were publicly reprimanded by L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa for “celebrating” Black History Month by encouraging their students to commemorate the lives of RuPaul, O.J. Simpson and Dennis Rodman. Oh, and they were white…which means they are in even BIGGER trouble. While choosing O.J. Simpson and Dennis Rodman were pretty piss-poor choices… RuPaul? RuPaul in my opinion is breaking barriers. She is a black homosexual man who has made it big despite the evidence to show that Blacks and African Americans have statistically been very anti-homosexual as a population. RuPaul is awesome. There should be no shame in drag queens. (I celebrate you, RuPaul.) O.J. may have been a football hero in his day, but killing your wife and then acting like a jerk afterwards is a long climb up, son. And Dennis? I don’t know anything about him other than the fact that he’s a retired basketball player that likes to wear make-up, and he…wore a dress or something. Nonetheless, yes, these teachers could’ve chosen better role models for their students. Frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t throw in Michael Vick.
But more than anything this article made me wonder, what is a role model anymore? In a world where athletes are taking steroids and cheating on their wives; political leaders cheat and lie (shocking); little girls are exposed to the idiotic antics of Lindsay Lohan and those Olson twins that look hungry all the time- who is a role model? Is it because we are all WAY too connected via internet, blackberries, emails, blogs, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc., etc., etc.? Who doesn’t know your business? And are we putting a lot of emphasis on these people as demi-gods when in fact they are actual people? Everyone screws up. Granted, some screw-ups are bigger than others. Martin Luther King, Jr. the Father of Civil Rights allegedly cheated on Coretta Scott King several times. But you know he wrote a speech. I guess if all you do is play golf incredibly well, you’re screwed. Sorry Tiger; should’ve written a speech, dude.
Who's your hero?
Everyone has role models; they inspire us and gauge our individual potential. Role models aren’t BAD, but they must be humanized again. Because that’s what they are: humans. It’s illogical to think there is someone out there who is perfect. Every “hero” will have a “fall.” Depending on the severity of that “fall” and how the “hero” chooses to respond to it defines what is a good role model. Maybe instead of looking at these fallible people who happen to be in limelight 24/7, we should all be individually striving to be role models to our children, our neighbors, our families and friends. Because someone is probably watching you; looking up to you. So don’t think your actions aren’t as consequential as someone who is on TV. I’m talking to you, three teachers from Southern California. Yous in BIG TROUBLE.
And finally, I suppose another solution is to find a role model that isn’t real; like Xena, He-Man or…Cher.
