Skip Navigation - Search the MetOnline

Metonline Logo
Powered by Google

Volume 26, Issue 35, april 29, 2004

Opinion

Role model vacancy sign lit

mug Justin Breuer
Opinion Editor

Does anyone remember Hulk Hogan from when they were a kid?

This would have been before his bad guy attitude and look in an attempt to increase ratings. Do any of you remember, did any of you watch, the yellow- clothed Herculean rise from the floor to the deafening roars and chants of his faithful?

Were any of you Hulkomaniacs? I remember watching TV shows of Hulk Hogan hanging out with kids and urging them to stay off drugs.

Does anyone know that Mr. T had a cartoon drawn after him? He ran around with a group of gymnasts and a bulldog with a mohawk doing good deeds like helping old ladies cross the street.

After the show, Mr. T would appear in person with a group of children, telling them to stay in school and stay away from drugs.

He pities the fool, sucka.

How about GI Joe, the great American hero? If you watched this show, then a certain phrase will be etched in your mind forever: "Knowing is half the battle."

At the end of every show, a GI Joe character would show up and counsel some kids about a situation they found themselves in. I remember one episode where two kids on their bikes were going to cross some train tracks while a train was coming.

But, no, they didn't, because Doc was there to tell them to think of the consequences before they acted. Knowing is half the battle.

What's happened to role models nowadays? It's as if they all disappeared or retired or grew too old and died. Who stepped up and took Mother Theresa's place; does anyone know? Me, neither.
Kids today have Jackass and Japanese cartoons centered around card games as role models.

Younger kids have Barney, the purple dinosaur, who preaches love and kindness but as for real-world application falls disappointingly short.

Beside the fact that I'm a dork and watched WWF when I was younger, I think a clear problem is emerging with the youth of today.

There are no role models.

I know there is an insane amount of people out there whom we idolize, but actual good-mannered, moral-coded role models have disappeared.

Pat Tillman, the former NFL player turned Army Ranger, is one example of a role model. He died for what he believed in and gave a touch of inspiration to those of us who are afraid to go against what society tells us is the proper thing to do.

Society today tells us to stay in the NFL making millions while someone else goes and gets shot over in Afghanistan for reasons undefined and unclear.

Tillman didn't like what society had to say. He stood up for what he believed in and accepted the price of such a stance. Such character and will is lacking in our celebrities and athletes today.

If you find yourself around young kids sometime, try to act the way your childhood role model would have acted.

Try to give the next generation something to look up to, God knows they need it. If it's not corrupt politicians, pedophile priests, narcissistic celebrities, it's the selfish privileged. At least we still have Sesame Street.