As I inch closer to the AARP grid, I can’t help but reflect
on what celebrity, politics and pop culture looked like when I was growing up.
Breaking into anything required hard work and took time. Some were lucky and
didn’t have to work so hard. While others paid their dues to earn a place in
their chosen field. The common goal was getting their heavenly slice of the American
dream and leave enough for the next dreamer.
Now it
seems we’ve forgotten what it means to share and let others get a piece of
pie. I remember when models made the covers of magazines and were in commercial
and editorial spreads. Models have been replaced by some award winning and A-list
actresses in print and commercials for hair products, makeup and more. I am
beginning to think that perhaps we’re being too hard on skinny models. They may
not be skinny by choice as more of them are competing for fewer opportunities.
Then
there are the artists. Whether it’s music, writing, painting, photography,
culinary or fashion, people who have spent years honing their craft are being
eclipsed by celebrities. Not 15 years ago, Kathie Lee Gifford, Jacklyn Smith and a few other celebrities had clothing
lines in Kmart but now Nikki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z and Sean
Combs are in your local department stores next to Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole,
Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne. Though they've attained their goal the rush to diversification is squeezing the men and women trying
to climb the mountain to reach their dream for a better life doing what they love harder to
reach.
I am
not that religious but in a country that talks about God, Jesus, sacrifice and
good will to all men it seems hypocritical to cut others off when you’ve got
yours and then some. We see it in Washington when elected officials fight for
people who have plenty of money and want to find ways to keep more of it while
putting the burden on the middle class and taking funding away from people in
need. People on unemployment aren’t at home watching soaps waiting for a check
that’s half of what they made when they worked. They are looking for jobs. SNAP
recipients aren’t eating filet mignon on 180.00 a month, but they cut that too.
What I find ironic is in about 3 weeks a deluge of ads for weight loss
programs, gyms and nutritional supplements will be upon us. However those who receive less
than 200.00 a month in SNAP benefits know they can't afford to buy the healthy stuff for their families and stretch their pantries out for a month. Instead they're faced with the over
processed, sugar, sodium and fat loaded food in the store. Yet with the
loopholes for the rich to get richer, they can afford to be healthier with organic fresh vegetables, gluten free, low sodium, high protein foods to benefit their bodies while regular folks try to buy just enough of the healthy stuff and still pay their electric and heating bills.
This
isn’t a case of sour grapes. I applaud people who were committed to make their
dreams of being a singer, dancer, professional athlete, actor, author, model,
chef, radio host, television host, news reporter and even those who aspired to
be politicians. The list is too numerous to go on. A story comes to mind but I’m not sure if
this is a Hollywood myth or not. Wil Smith and
his father just as his star truly began to rise. Apparently he was proudly
showing his father all the great cars he bought that he loved as a kid from
Philadelphia. While I am sure his father was indeed proud of him he asked “Just
how many asses do you have?” It made me chuckle but it gave me food for
thought. Just how much is too much? I’m sure the celebrities with clothing
lines, perfumes and the like were approached by companies who wanted to use
their celebrity to sell whatever but when do you say no? Someone moved over to
give them room at the table. Why can’t they do the same? I know of so many
talented singers, models, dancers, stylists, designers, song writers and
authors who can’t get a shot at showing the world their talent. I know there
are ways to do it online. Post something to You Tube and hope you go
viral. The problem is everyone is trying to go viral. You can pay someone to
help you with PR but that costs quite a bit of money. If you’re like me with
over 4,000.00 in medication costs monthly due to MS it's a check I can't write.
The 1st anniversary of Newtown tomorrow
gave me pause to sit down and write this blog. Those precious lives young and
old won’t be at the table to get their piece of the American dream. We don’t
know how many would have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, vets, singers,
nurses, researchers, artists, chefs, authors, designers, Congressman, Senators or even a
future President of the United States. It’s the dreams left unwritten that
saddens and yet empowers me to press forward as an author and writer until I
get a slice of the American dream.It's funny that I'm not talking about a quarter slice, most would take less than an eighth and be satisfied. Moreover, I hope for
the day when I’m able to pay it forward.
In the
end it’s about our humanity. I believe those living the dream are sharing it
with family, donating their time and money to charitable causes. They head out
on the stump to support politicians who reflect their values. At the end of the day if you can close your eyes knowing you've taken care of your family
and future generations it's time to pass the baton and give someone who works hard a chance to do it too.
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