Recently, I was asked about the subject of manners and our society at large. With the recent outbursts at the VMAs and within the hollowed halls of Congress, a colleague asked, "Where have all the manners gone?"
Don't celebrities have a responsibility to be decent role models? Doesn't their status indicate a position of teaching us the "right" way to act?
After much thought about this, I'm calling bullsh*t on the whole meal deal. They owe us nothing. They arrived at their station in life by expressing themselves -- doing what they do best, like it or not. The fact that people aspire to be them, or children hold them as heroes bears no responsibility.
This concern or righteous notion that they should always behave is our problem. And, in my opinion, exposes the universal problem of passive parenting. David Byrne of the Talking Heads said, "Violence on television only affects children whose parents act like television characters." Truth. If the television has become a surrogate to kids, I suppose they will, indeed, be affected -- violence and celebrity messes alike.
Few people actively participate here on Earth -- and believe me, I'm guilty, too. However, from time to time, we all get slapped upside the head with the lessons of our grandparents: Life's short. Be nice. Floss.
The best way to actively participate is with your wallet.
Each dollar counts as a vote. You don't like Kanye's outburst? Don't support him. Think Major League Baseball is corrupt? Stop watching. We can cultivate an organic democracy here. Too many folks just go along with the crap and let their anger swell up inside. Or like my old man, complain about my mom's overcooked chocolate chip cookies, all the while eating them one by one.
As far as manners go, again, teach your children well. We can't rely upon anyone else, famous or infamous, to do that job.
Tell me what you think. Should Michael Jordan's speech at the Hall of Fame been approved for my nephew's consumption? Personally, I'm still a little shaken by Pee Wee Herman's movie watching habits. Where do we draw the line, if at all? Talk back.
Speaking of manners ... Thank you for reading my stuff.
