Role Model

                I am not really a people person. At least, that’s what I say. I think the issue isn’t so much that I don’t like people, rather, I am more disappointed with people. Especially those that seem to make up the majority of this great country that I call home. This society has its priorities mixed up. Instead of turning on the news and seeing world events, watching the revolutions take place in other countries where people who are genuinely oppressed are fighting for the same rights we take for granted, we see that Miley Cyrus is acting like a whore in front of millions of people or Justin Bieber was street racing in a Lamborghini while drunk. I, for one, am sick and tired of hearing about these idiots. The major issue is that “our” media perpetuates these behaviors by constantly reporting on them. They simply want the attention, good or bad. And as long as someone with a camera is willing to broadcast their crap, they will continue to act foolish. These are the people we allow our children to look up to.

                I know that when I was young, I listened to and watched things I shouldn’t have. But, my parents did a pretty good job of not letting me experience these things before I was able to understand what they meant. True, parents can’t shelter you from everything, they should do their best. I have witnessed parents that allow their kids to listen to songs about being intoxicated and promiscuous because they like the song and don’t want to miss what they like simply because they are parents. I think it’s sad when “adults” can’t get their priorities straight and sacrifice what they want to do in order to better take care of their children.

                In a world where hedonism runs rampant, I see little hope for the future. One thing that has been gnawing at the back of my mind lately is an emcee by the name of J-Live. He is, obviously, not recognized by the mainstream. This is a sad fact. In a world where most celebrities seem that they couldn’t pass a middle school English class, this rapper taught one. Our culture looks up to the illiterate, the criminals, the people that we would clutch our children tighter as we passed them on the street. Throw in a little fame, and suddenly those “undesirables” are role models.

                I say we change things. A man who chooses to teach our children rather than sell them drugs until his rap career took off. The man who chooses to be responsible and take care of his family instead of spending his nights hanging on the street corner. J-Live should be elevated to celebrity status while Bieber should be in jail.

                I may not allow my 4-year-old daughter to listen to his music for a few more years, but I would rather have her listen to an educator than a criminal. I would be proud for her to pick up a copy of All of the Above over Animal, listen to One for the Griot instead of We R Who We R. But, that’s just my opinion.