Go Away, Kobe Bryant!
By Jon Alvarez (08/13/03)
Is anyone else sick and tired of hearing about the Kobe Bryant case? I wish the media would ignore this case and just report on the final verdict.
As an American whose life and patterns of behavior were radically altered by the events of September 11, 2001, I am disgusted by the importance placed on this criminal case. There are other stories that are far more worthy of our attention and concern. We have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, a national election next year, and a possible conflict looming in North Korea, yet the media chooses to inundate us with the sordid details of a multi-millionaire adulterer and possible rapist.
If anyone doubts that our society is obsessed with celebrities and their lives, this merely confirms it. Maybe this case will help to prove one point that we should all know by now: We are all human. No matter how big the celebrity, athlete, or politician, he or she is as human as we are. We all have flaws and weaknesses. The attention the Kobe Bryant case has been given also confirms that we as a society are drawn to the downfall of others.
Of course, we all have our pasts and perhaps skeletons in the closet. Soon the media will be reporting to us about incidents in Arnold Schwarzenegger's past. If the items concern illegal activity or improper job conduct, then they are relevant and should be reported. If not, then the items should not be considered newsworthy. Who cares how many actresses he may have slept with in the past, as long as that behavior stopped when he promised to forsake all others? One day no one will be willing to step forward and lead our country for fear of what the media may uncover.
It's time that we shifted our priorities and recognized the real heroes: policemen, firemen, paramedics, and those serving in the military. Maybe it's time for trading cards, movies, and financial windfalls to be directed towards these people who are more deserving. What about a People magazine focusing on the true heroes instead of the flakes in Hollywood? It's time that we realize that most Hollywood entertainers are not worthy of our admiration and financial support. Only a handful of these entertainers have put forth the effort to visit our troops in Iraq. We've yet to see a star-studded fundraiser for the families of our brave troops killed in action. Hollywood has failed its test just as Kobe Bryant has failed his.
The 9-11 tragedy changed my outlook on what is important, as I'm sure it has for many others. I was planning to drive to Buffalo to see the Bills play the Dolphins in December. The Kobe Bryant case has made me realize that I myself had forgotten some of the lessons of 9-11. The 9-11 event forced me to evaluate my priorities concerning what was important in life and what wasn't important. Rather than line the pockets of wealthy athletes, I'm going to donate my ticket money to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. I want to show my support for the families of those soldiers killed in action. These are the guys and gals who deserve our support, admiration, and applause. They deserve hero status.
Kobe Bryant gets paid big bucks to play a game. The true heroes put their lives on the line day in and day out. Each of us has the opportunity to thank a police officer, a fireman, or someone in the military. How many of us have stopped someone to say "Thank You"? I have done just that several times in the grocery store and at the hardware store. It's a wonderful reaction to witness. Shock turns to genuine surprise and appreciation for being recognized for what they do. Try it sometime, just say ''Thanks.'' We need to share this with our children as well. I know I should not be surprised by the multitude of screaming teenagers cheering for Kobe Bryant outside of the Colorado courthouse last week. Where on earth are their parents and what lessons are they teaching those children?
It's time we speak up, America. We don't have to sit quietly by as MTV and Hollywood tries to influence our children. We've already seen how the watering-down of moral standards will impact our society. Remember when ''damn'' couldn't be used on TV? Hopefully, if you feel as I do, you'll contact the different media outlets to express your thoughts and feelings on what stories they report on. We don't need the media to focus so much attention on stories like the Kobe Bryant case. Justice will prevail when the jury reaches its decision. As for Kobe Bryant, I hope he fades into the obscurity he has now earned. He no longer deserves the admiration of our children. He had his shot at being a role model and blew it. It's time to focus our attention on the truly important people and events that have an impact on our lives.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Jon Alvarez
