Michael Jackson
I chose Michael Jackson because of millions of fans/ he has. Though his boyishly shy ways, Michael Jackson is believed to have shared his life as an open book. By many he is believed to have been a misunderstood humanitarian. Michael has been a part of popular culture since he and his brothers wowed followers from the age of 6. Generations among generations have grown up listening to his music and grown up with him. His fans believe he is the best performer of all time. Even those that don’t consider themselves a fan must admit his musical influence is heard in places least suspected. Artists from Kanye West and Jay Z to Jennifer Lopez continue to give his music life through their use of samples of his music. Artists like Usher, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake all have been influenced by MJ and have dance styles reminiscent of his. Many continue to morn his untimely death because there will never be another performer that can fill his shoes.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana was chosen because of her style and grace. Dying an untimely death, to many people Princess Diana was the quintessential lady. Although she was not a performer she was adored by many citizens of Britain and the rest of the world. She was poised, beautiful, polite, elegant and classy. Though Princess Diana died more than 10 years ago, the world still mourns
The Obama Family
For many African Americans the Obama family represents the hope for black families. Although the Cosby show was an All-American show that appealed to people of many ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, some considered the Cosby show to be unrealistic. They believed a show that portrayed a functional family whose father was a doctor, mother was a lawyer and kids are normal kids was unrealistic and sold African American families a lie. Unlike the Cosby’s the Obama family is real. The Obama family represents success in the black family. Though both parents are successful in their own right, the true success of the Obama family comes from their ability to put family first. The love Michelle and Barack seem to share is an example to African Americans of the strength and possibilities that come from a strong family. Though they are both in high profile positions, their ability to make time to enjoy the little things with their daughters model the importance of the role parents have in rearing their children. Personally, I don’t think their family is important because he has become president. I believe the Obama family is an important icon because the hope for success they inspire to the African American community. I don’t have to look far to see that the breakdown in the African American family has become an epidemic that has affected the community. The Obama’s are a real life representation of what a black family should be.
I chose Michael Jackson because of millions of fans/ he has. Though his boyishly shy ways, Michael Jackson is believed to have shared his life as an open book. By many he is believed to have been a misunderstood humanitarian. Michael has been a part of popular culture since he and his brothers wowed followers from the age of 6. Generations among generations have grown up listening to his music and grown up with him. His fans believe he is the best performer of all time. Even those that don’t consider themselves a fan must admit his musical influence is heard in places least suspected. Artists from Kanye West and Jay Z to Jennifer Lopez continue to give his music life through their use of samples of his music. Artists like Usher, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake all have been influenced by MJ and have dance styles reminiscent of his. Many continue to morn his untimely death because there will never be another performer that can fill his shoes.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana was chosen because of her style and grace. Dying an untimely death, to many people Princess Diana was the quintessential lady. Although she was not a performer she was adored by many citizens of Britain and the rest of the world. She was poised, beautiful, polite, elegant and classy. Though Princess Diana died more than 10 years ago, the world still mourns
The Obama Family
For many African Americans the Obama family represents the hope for black families. Although the Cosby show was an All-American show that appealed to people of many ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, some considered the Cosby show to be unrealistic. They believed a show that portrayed a functional family whose father was a doctor, mother was a lawyer and kids are normal kids was unrealistic and sold African American families a lie. Unlike the Cosby’s the Obama family is real. The Obama family represents success in the black family. Though both parents are successful in their own right, the true success of the Obama family comes from their ability to put family first. The love Michelle and Barack seem to share is an example to African Americans of the strength and possibilities that come from a strong family. Though they are both in high profile positions, their ability to make time to enjoy the little things with their daughters model the importance of the role parents have in rearing their children. Personally, I don’t think their family is important because he has become president. I believe the Obama family is an important icon because the hope for success they inspire to the African American community. I don’t have to look far to see that the breakdown in the African American family has become an epidemic that has affected the community. The Obama’s are a real life representation of what a black family should be.
I just want to say that the picture you picked of President Obama's family is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBobbie Hill
Taylor ~
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I agree with you totally, as one doesn’t have to aspire to be a lawyer or President, go to Harvard, sympathize with Bill Ayers, or believe in Reverend Wright’s version of Christianity to be successful. There are many successful African-American’s at all socio-economic levels. “Successful” is a very subjective and personal word. There is a “breakdown” in too many families of all color in America, not just the African American community. We have drifted away from the family values that made our country something to be proud of and not just since Obama’s election. The problem is that too many people cannot associate themselves with a family like the Obama’s. I agree that an icon of a “family” exhibits the values and ideals that the majority of all Americans share, but if you posit that we all, black, white, brown, yellow et al, must achieve to the level of the Obama’s to be considered successful, there will be mass disenchantment.
John,
ReplyDeleteI thank you for your comment.
I understand why you might first assume I chose Barack Obama. However, I chose the Obama family and NOT Barack Obama because I have seen how the breakdown of the family has impacted the African American community. I could have chosen my own family as an icon for family values but there is a great possibility you may not have heard of us. :)
You may have missed it in my post but I did NOT define "success" by the accomplishments made by Barack or Michelle. I stated that I believe there success comes from their commitment to family. I believe this is one of the many problems that plague racial and socioeconomic lines in our nation, however it is especially prevelant in the African American community.
The Obama's are NOT the only positive portrayal of an African American family that exist; howver the Obama's are real. They are not fictional characters. For those that have no positive influences, the Obama's represent possibilities. Whether a person feels he should have been elected president is irrelevant. My statements only come from the thought: The Obama's presence allows exposure to the unexposed that may be live in an environment where the family unit is as strong or appreciated.
Personally, I look to learn and become a better person everyday. Messages I receive do not have to come in a particular package for me to understand. We could use any family for that matter, the Duggar family (with 18 children).
The fact remains. Some people look at their own situation and don't see possibilities because they believe it can happen to them. For those, I think the Obama family can be a good representation of a solid family unit. I respect your opinion but think you misunderstood my position. Success is not defined by our accomplishments or our status at all.