Better Role Models

By Corinne Feight

In an article written by Emma John titled, “Feminism: What does the F-word mean today?,” John compiled a group of six influential women to talk about equality and the feminism of this generation. One of these speakers was VV Brown, who stated in the interview, “I'm worried for young women, how everything is about how can I be famous, how can I make money quickly? We need to make sure that our role models are not just reality TV contestants, but doctors, judges, intellectuals.” This is a concept that I think expands beyond just women to include both genders.

In my opinion, I think that the media contributes volumes to our idea of role models and idols. No longer are we appreciative of the single father providing for his family or the small town heroes, at least not in the general sense. We gravitate toward the wealthy, the ones we envy and idolize. These are the people we want to emulate…this is the future we see for ourselves…right? But that’s the hook that really gets us—that societal affirmation. We’re only confident in crowds, letting them validate our voice and our actions. So there it is, our crux.

When did fame become our only aspiration? Maybe I’m just a realist, but I always expected more of myself. When you think about it, a celebrity is one of the weirdest ideas America has come up with yet. Think about it. They are just people. Glorified human beings. They aren’t really even role models in most cases. We want to be them and be like them—carefree and unencumbered by the world, but what we don’t realize is that in many cases, they just want to be like us. Invisible, wishing for just one day when a camera flash wouldn’t burn their eyes or one day where it didn’t matter what groceries they picked up at the store.

We need to push past these two-dimensional idols. Find someone you respect and trust, not just someone with elevated visibility. When you stop and consider it seriously, you don’t even really revere the celebrity himself/herself; you revere the public’s opinion and classification, which is really never guaranteed to be that celebrity at all.

I challenge you.

Why not genuflect at the feet of the tangible? For me, my idol is someone who’s overcome great adversity, someone whose work ethic is immense, yet understated, the humble innovator, the volunteer, the person who’s conquered stereotypes and gender roles, and the individual who has not only earned respect from their field, but also respect from their peers.