Before you read this post, take a couple seconds to read my inspiration for this rant. Most importantly, read the comments at the bottom of the page, starting with the "Highest Rated".
Absurdury! (that is so not a word, but you know what I mean)
Why do people continue to hold: athletes, celebrities, and entertainers to this extremely high standard as if they aren't human? How can you expect someone to act the way you would if you were in their position when that person isn't you and you know nothing about them? Is it because you're self-conscience of your terrible parenting skills, so you want Roger Goddell (NFL Commissioner), David Stern (NBA Commissioner) and Hollywood to keep these people off of your TV because they might say something that will have a negative effect on your child because they look up to them instead of you? After reading comments like "This is why athletes shouldn't tweet" and something along the lines of: the health issues in football (concussions) are making players dumber, I was pretty fed up and slightly irritated (ok, REALLY irritated). In case you didnt read the article, the situation at hand is, Osama Bin Laden (man accused of being responsible for any terrorist acts toward America, most notably, 9/11) is dead, shot and killed by an elite team sent in with an elite plan, to elitely remove this dude from the planet and solve all of America's problems. Anywho. Since the news broke, there have been a numerous amount of reactions, ranging from an entire crowd at an MLB baseball game, chanting "U.S.A!!, U.S.A!!" to random bloggers and tweeters agreeing and disagreeing over celebrating the death of a human being.
I personally feel it isn't necessary, especially being a black man, yes, this can be, will be, and is a racial thing. MOST black people don't have the same concerns when going to work as MOST white people, Will Smith was criticized for saying 9/11 had no effect on black people in the way it did white people, that was the same conclusion I came to. I don't want to get too far off track, so I wont get too deep into that, but, I was awakened by my electricity being turned back on around 5:30pm (eastern) today. I slightly rolled over and reached for my remote and proceeded to turn to ESPN, one of my favorite shows was on, 'Pardon The Interruption'. Apparently I turned to it just in time to hear about the reactions Mr. Mendenhall is getting for voicing his opinion. I couldn't believe it, I cant believe, in this great country, home of the "free", this man is being so harshly criticized for saying how he, and a lot of other people feel, but this is 'Merica, where one persons opinion MUST trump the other persons opinion until the most patriotic opinion is said to be the truth. In this situation, Mr. Mendenhall probably would be the world's most popular athlete if he had said "I'm so glad Osama is no longer living on this Earth, the world can, and will be a better place, I'm looking forward to seeing his body, float/burn away." That's the patriotic opinion that is the "right" answer to this situation. Why? Majority rules.
Dear 'Merica:
I know its tough to live such a life, where you're forced to believe what you're told because you don't have any common sense, you continue to have faith in the "justice" system because it has never failed you, and you demand the people your children idolize and you are envious of to be perfect. I feel your pain, as much money as they make, they should ONLY say what you'd say in their situation. Wait. Is this about money? are you mad that you don't get to paid millions/thousands of dollars to do what most people consider to be a hobby? Exactly what is your issue with a sports figure, entertainer, actor/actress saying how they feel?.....Well?..This will always be an issue in this country, along with our arrogance, and bullying. We put people on pedestals and have the nerve to get upset and demand apologies from this individual for living their life as if it had any effect on our lives. (see. Tiger Woods) We praise celebrities for accomplishing things we couldn't, making us feel better about our lives or at least giving us hope, and giving our children someone to look up to, we do all of this without even stepping back and realizing how bad our own s*** stinks. Until those of us who worship these celebrities in such a way that they cant be human, things like this will continue. One other comment I read, that got several thumbs up, "You can take him off the list of role models." Reminded me of a line I heard when watching Spiderman 2, after Spiderman decided to give up being Spiderman, "...I have a daughter who looked up to this guy, now who is she supposed to look up to?"
Peace and mo Old Navy Fleece
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