I am NOT a Role Model!

With the advances in media through television and the internet the outlets offered to celebrities toady are endless.   Between Twitter, Facebook and Instagram the masses can stay up to date on their favorite celebrity.  Through this it can be said that the lines of celebrity and heroism can be clouded.   Just because one may enjoy peaking into the lives of the rich and famous is does not constitute them being a hero.  A hero is someone that changes the world, someone that betters people around them.  For me personally I do not hold a celebrity to that high of esteem. With my popular culture topic being Michael Jordan I would like to share with you this same argument that he faced.  In 1993 Michael Jordan was in the prime of his career.  He was winning to championships and selling shoes and endorsements.   He did a little celebrating along the way.  After being seen in casinos along the cost of Atlantic City he got some backlash for his actions.  When asked to comment on this, the fellow NBA player Charles Barkley stated, “I’m not paid to be a role model. I’m paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court” (thedailybeast.com). He is right he didn't sign up to guide people.  He didn't aspire to change lives.  He wasn't there to be a hero.  He just wanted to play ball.  He was a hero that was being watched under a magnifying glass, just a Jordan was, whether he was aware of it or not.

Later fellow NBA super star Karl Malone comments, “Charles…I don’t think it’s your decision to make. We don’t choose to be role models, we are chosen.  Our only choice is whether to be a good role model or a bad one” (thedailybeast.com).To many Michael Jordan is the embodiment of a hero.  He sits at the ranks with all basketball greats.  He is the drive for some small boys dream to be in the NBA.  I imagine he gave Lebron James some inspiration.  Sometimes it is more important to look to someone more accessible to be a hero, not a celebrity.