When The Buddy Wayne Chronicles was created, the idea was to present a new American folk hero to the public. He is a response to the artificial culture of celebrity that is the center of not just the entertainment world, but the lives of so many people.
I have always believed that the real heroes are our parents, friends, and anyone else who have certain qualities or who have done significant things to enhance our lives. This could include rescuing people from burning buildings, casting aside villainous enemies, or simply creating things of beauty that last forever. In that sense, Buddy Wayne Barefoot is in the world of celebrities, but not of it.
Unfortunately, there are too many famous people who got there the wrong way. That is, they either seek the spotlight or they have qualities that some people in the media think are important. We can forever debate, in chicken or egg style, whether those in the tabloid press either create the demand or simply react to it. What is certain is that the definitions of celebrity and hero have been blurred.
And it's not just me saying and writing this. In reaction to the recent death of Michael Jackson, Herbert London of Human Events magazine wrote a story which expresses the same concern. Here is that story.
On the website comment page, I wrote this:
"...[T]hank you, Herbert, for saying something that has been on my mind for a long time. Oh, if I could only go back to a time when real heroes were recognized and given what they deserved, and when people had to earn the privilege of being famous.
I also think that the breakdown of the family has a lot to do with the cheapening of celebrity. After all, mommy and daddy are the first real heroes in anyone's lives. If our children can't look up to them...well, let me give you the expression (and it's probably a paraphrase): "If one doesn't stand up for something, one will fall for anything."
No comments:
Post a Comment