Please note: The following rant assumes that the reader has prior knowledge of the events mentioned below.Who are our role models? For me, my role models are friends, family and those I care about. I’d like to think that all of us think this way. I’d like to think that some of us have that special teacher, parent, or best friend that picks us up when we’re down and helps motivate us to be better people. But what about those we see on TV? What about the sounds and images radio, film, and news media? Where is the media’s moral fiber?

It seems today that many of our so-called media heroes are either in rehab, divorced, incarcerated or facing charges on some sex scandal (e.g. Larry Craig), a DUI charge or complaining that they don’t get enough recognition for their work.

Recently, I happened to catch the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards fromLas Vegas.The opening act was the now notorious Britney Spears debacle in which she gyrated and stumbled her way thru a badly lip-synched performance of her new hit “Gimme More” in what can only be called sparkly underwear. I chalked this one up to just a bad performance, and waited to see what the rest of the night had to offer.

What I got for my viewing pleasure was what I saw as a two-hour long commercial for an Attention Deficit Disorder club in Las Vegas. Most of the performances were cut off in mid-song and interspersed with appearances by Miss Teen South Carolina (who still couldn’t speak correctly even with the help of a teleprompter), the ever so brainy girls of The Hills (who I still can’t believe are real people) and an impromptu fight between Tommy Lee and Kid Rock.

Topping the night off with the proverbial cherry was Kanye West’s adamant complaint to the press that he didn’t win any of the FIVE awards for which he was nominated, and that he should because, “[He] works hard, man!” I work hard, too! The man has Grammys, and he still complaining! He’s got millions of fans and millions of records sold worldwide! Kanye, do you really give a crap about MTV? As noted by Justin Timberlake on multiple occasions, they don’t even play music anymore!

Mr. West’s was the best performance of the night, by far in my opinion, but his tantrum and the night in general have forced me to realize just how shallow and devoid of character our celebrity culture is and possibly how shallow our “civilian” culture has become.

Is this what the youth of today aspire to be? Do they think they have to be on MTV Cribs? Do they dream to be rich girls who just do their nails and shop all day and complain about the boyfriends that they think they have like the Hills girls do? Do they think they too can be the bitchy, self serving people on My Super Sweet 16 who get “really mad at daddy” if their 400-person “best friend” party is not exactly not what they want? I most sincerely hope not!

I tell you this will not be my child ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever! With all the incidents this year of Britney’s mishandled babies, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan’s DUIs and jail time, and NFL Quarterback Mike Vick’s Dogfighting charges, I often wonder if these celebs plan this stuff. The follow-up celebrity excuses are almost as heinous like Paris’ “I used to act dumb,” or the now notorious NFL star turned wrestler Pacman Jones’ “I didn’t know he was a drug dealer.”

Let’s not for get Sunday’s miscarriage of justice, O.J. Simpson’s laughable alibi to his robbery charge, “I was doing a sting.” I don’t know what to think anymore! I mean, seriously, who would’ve thought that Britney Spears’ ex- husband, Kevin Federline would be our best pick for Father of the Year?

All this makes me think that the view of celebrity that I’ve always had is correct. As someone in the arts, who writes, raps, has met celebrities and considers himself a level-headed human being, I now challenge you to stop seeing celebrities as special. We’re all special. We are all unique. There is no one who can be you better than you, but that does not make you necessarily “better”. It does not make me an idol, and it certainly does not make a celebrity worthy of worship!

If people have an exceptional talent, it should be acknowledged without a doubt. If a person has amassed a great fortune though hard work, that diligence should be commended. However, to say that this person is better than you, I or anyone else is a matter of debate. What makes someone exceptional? Is it for you or I to say? I don’t think so.

Simply put, celebrities are people with talent in particular areas and flaws in other areas… no more, no less. Their status does not give them license to act like fools, throw tantrums, or drive drunk. We are not to bow down to them. Rather, I feel, we need see them for the talented people, they are while so knowing that character comes not with status, but with education, respect and humility. Maybe if Kanye felt the same way he’d be grateful for every moment he has on this Earth to entertain, influence and bring joy to millions across the world.

Someone once told me that we as people owe the world. The world does not owe us. I think these celebrities would be wise to take that message to heart. I think we’d all be better off.

To check out the Miss Teen South Carolina Video:

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