Viable heroes in entertainment? Well, I can think of a couple of heroes, at least in my opinion. The boxer Muhammad Ali, definitely, for his political activism in providing a positive role model, and stressing self-esteem for black Americans at a time when the civil rights struggle was much more difficult and new than it is now. Anyone who hasn't seen Once Were Kings, incidentally, the documentary about the Rumble in the Jungle fight, is missing a really interesting film.
And Bob Geldof, the Irish musician, formerly of one of my favorite bands, Thin Lizzy, who organized and led the amazing campaign to save African children from famine. No one is perfect, though. Saint Bob, as his friends call him, was involved in a messy and anguishing divorce from Paula Yates, who then became engaged to Michael Hutchpence of INXS. She blames Bob for pushing Michael to commit suicide in his hotel room last week, after a long distance phone argument between the two in the middle of the night.
Also everyone in the Irish band U2, for huge contributions of money to environmentalist and world peace causes, their active participation in Greenpeace and Amnesty International protests, for risking danger going to Sarajevo to give a free concert, and mostly for asking the question to millions of people all over the world at their concerts--what effect does instantaneous, mind-numbing news seen all over the globe have on everyone? Is the global village a positive thing, or do death and war and horror simply become part of the entertainment? Is the media the message?
I also think Courtney Love deserves a little honorable mention, for getting off drugs, turning her life around in the wake of the huge sorrow of her husband's suicide, and morphing into a really beautiful woman and an excellent actress. |
