2008 Woodie Awards
Celebrity worship misguided, trite
Sandi's Logic
Sandi van Orden
Issue date: 11/24/03 Section: Opinions
As I was listening to Chuck D the other night, I contemplated the obviousness of what he was saying.
He told those of us at Tucker Theater things we already knew, but probably had never thought about. It's amazing how sometimes we need to hear people say what we already know.
Most, if not all of us, are aware of the way the media and society are fascinated with fame. It's at a point where it's almost crippling.
We all have are favorite bands, singers and actors, but should we try to imitate these people? Why would we want to be like someone we see on television?
When we see them or hear them, be it on television, radio or a picture in a magazine, we are only seeing what the artists, their managers, publicists and others that will make a profit from them want us to see. Performers sell images, and they make a lot of money doing just that.
So why does someone who got lucky occupy so much of our brain cells?
Our culture loves to know about celebrities. That will never cease to amaze me. It is more important in America to know what celebrities are doing than what is happening in a war that we are involved in.
All of this goes into another topic that was discussed on Tuesday: corporations turning citizens into consumers. Not that it is their fault. We all know that businesses want to make money and will do what it takes to raise profits.
But they use our infatuation with celebrities to sell. Performers are used to sell everything from shampoo to soft drinks to clothes to cars. The message is clear: If you want to be like your favorite celebrity, buy what he or she endorses.
I, too, have my favorite actors and bands, and there is nothing wrong with acknowledging talent. We should remember that celebrities are entertainers.
There are many great role models around us, and many people that we can learn from and want to be like. Most of those people are not celebrities. Think of all the people who have had a true impact on your life: teachers, friends, family and members of your community that you happen to cross paths with.
Think for a minute about how important these people were, and what they did that touched you. Now, does it make sense to look up to and respect them, or does it sound better to follow entertainers' examples?
We should be focusing on what is really important instead of what is happening in celebrities' lives. It may be more interesting to look into people's lives, but what is happening in an entertainer's life is not more important than what is going on in the United States and around the world.
Sandi van Orden is a sophomore mass communications major and can be reached via e-mail at slv2e@mtsu.edu.
He told those of us at Tucker Theater things we already knew, but probably had never thought about. It's amazing how sometimes we need to hear people say what we already know.
Most, if not all of us, are aware of the way the media and society are fascinated with fame. It's at a point where it's almost crippling.
We all have are favorite bands, singers and actors, but should we try to imitate these people? Why would we want to be like someone we see on television?
When we see them or hear them, be it on television, radio or a picture in a magazine, we are only seeing what the artists, their managers, publicists and others that will make a profit from them want us to see. Performers sell images, and they make a lot of money doing just that.
So why does someone who got lucky occupy so much of our brain cells?
Our culture loves to know about celebrities. That will never cease to amaze me. It is more important in America to know what celebrities are doing than what is happening in a war that we are involved in.
All of this goes into another topic that was discussed on Tuesday: corporations turning citizens into consumers. Not that it is their fault. We all know that businesses want to make money and will do what it takes to raise profits.
But they use our infatuation with celebrities to sell. Performers are used to sell everything from shampoo to soft drinks to clothes to cars. The message is clear: If you want to be like your favorite celebrity, buy what he or she endorses.
I, too, have my favorite actors and bands, and there is nothing wrong with acknowledging talent. We should remember that celebrities are entertainers.
There are many great role models around us, and many people that we can learn from and want to be like. Most of those people are not celebrities. Think of all the people who have had a true impact on your life: teachers, friends, family and members of your community that you happen to cross paths with.
Think for a minute about how important these people were, and what they did that touched you. Now, does it make sense to look up to and respect them, or does it sound better to follow entertainers' examples?
We should be focusing on what is really important instead of what is happening in celebrities' lives. It may be more interesting to look into people's lives, but what is happening in an entertainer's life is not more important than what is going on in the United States and around the world.
Sandi van Orden is a sophomore mass communications major and can be reached via e-mail at slv2e@mtsu.edu.
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