Role Models

Paris Hilton walks gracefully out of jail and receives the red carpet treatment. The news reporter interviews a fan who screams with tears in her eyes, "Paris Hilton is great! She's so beautiful and she's just simply great!" Since when did drunkards become role models? Which part of drinking and driving and violating parole allows Paris to become a hero? I'm certain that when our premier got caught for the same offense, he did not get the same warm welcome out of jail, but that's the way it should be.

What exactly has Paris Hilton done for the world anyway? Sure, she's gorgeous, but she hasn't really contributed to anything I would consider worthy. If she donated to charity or spent time at the Children's Hospital or actually is smart, she could get a little respect from me.

I've studied psychology and sociology throughout university, but I still find it so bizarre to know that there are people out there who worship the lives of celebrities who won't give a hoot to personally getting to know their own fans. I know that's near impossible, but I'd be satisfied if they helped the general public in some way. Angelina Jolie has been an UN Goodwill Ambassador for the last six years. Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey are known for being philanthropists. Princess Diana used her fame and fortune to highlight some worthy charitable causes. Steve Nash used his own experiences to help kids overcome their struggles to attain their goals in sports. There are scores of other famous people who deserve recognition for their work, but our society is more concerned with who's the best and worst dressed. Maybe it's a safer topic to explore than a celebrity's beliefs and values system. For example, Pierce Brosnan, who has been aware of environmental issues since childhood, is named "Best Dressed Environmentalist." Who cares? Does wearing an Armani suit instead of a checkered shirt from Mark's Work Wearhouse make him a better environmentalist than David Suzuki?

My hope for the current tween generation is that if they choose to follow celebrities, rather than real local heroes (parents could be role models, surprise surprise), they would choose celebrities who truly care about what their fans think of them, who are actually aware that they are role models, who take a genuine interest in causes other than their own, and who make a positive and constructive difference in the world.