I heard on the news last week that one of Rihanna’s corporate sponsors is considering dropping her as she’s being seen as an unfit “role model.”
When I heard this, I had to laugh. Not because of all the drama transpiring between Kanye and Rihanna, but because of the public outcry at their misbehavior.
Of course, this exchange of violence should not to be applauded or supported.
Of course, the whole story is being spread all over the news.
Of course, so many young men and women “look up” to these two stars, and are paying close attention to their actions.
Of course, the world is watching their private lives fall apart.
And of course, as they pursued careers as entertainers, they signed up for inordinate attention.
BUT, did they ask to be designated as today’s role models?
…or is this the unfortunate consequence of a culture that worships celebrities?
Why is it that if we ask a group of ten-year-olds who they want to be when they grow up, the “firemen and police officers and mommies and presidents and doctors” have given way to “movie stars and pop stars and TV stars?”
When did the celebrity become the new American hero?
