We admire them every day; the stars. Our eyes watch their every move and we aspire to be like them. The public praises them, mimics them, and love them from bits to pieces. However, the latest celebrity fad seems to be getting arrested for breaking the law and that, my babies, is NOT HOT.
And still, we’re still watching their every move. I have to wonder is this attention (albeit negative) egging them on to continue on the path of recklessness?
Ah, I’m just throwing that out there. I don’t really believe that the celebs are getting criminal charges (driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, illegal dog fighting/gambling, and assault/battery) just for the attention. And I don’t feel that celebs are having all these relationship issues just so the cameras won’t forget their faces. I think that the celebrity legal woes and personal relationship problems are just REAL problems that exists for any of us; the only difference is that they are broadcasted for the world to see. 
My issue is this (see, I do have a point): Celebrities are role models whether they like it or not. And being a role model has certain responsibilities. It’s just not right to be irresponsible with your life when you have chosen for the world to see you. And if you are not a responsible celebrity, I feel that the powers that be should simply take you out of the limelight.
So is it the fault of the casting agents, the recruiters, and anyone else who puts these people that are clearly not mature enough to handle themselves responsibly or behave within a standard code of conduct in the watchful eyes of our children? If Joe Blow when out there are committed a crime, it would simply show up on the news that week very briefly, and then it would go away. Unless Joe Blow really just set it off, his name wouldn’t be remembered. His face wouldn’t be posted all over the world, now would it? He’d do his time forever how long that was and the only folks that would be aware of it would be those closest to him.
There should be some sort of mandatory universal conduct agreement form that ANY celebrity needs to sign PER JOB. It needs to be sworn to and signed and notarizedby anyone who would be working in a job or position that would make the person a public figure. And that form should basically read that he/she agrees to act legally and/or morally responsible as seen by society’s standards, if not the celebrity should have to pay a hefty fine (and that amount will be different for each person based on their last year’s earnings-like 10%). And they should not be allowed to work again in any field that would put them back in the public until that fine is satisfied. The money from the fine should then go to inner city schools, after school programs, health clinics, etc. And they should not be able to work for six months at least. This would perhaps nip a lot of this foolishness in the bud, and also show our youth that irresponsible behavior is not acceptable.
I don’t care how great an actor you are, how strong an athlete you are, how melodic your singing voice is, or how great a politician you are- if you are a bad boy or girl they should not hire you at all. It’s a liability to our youth, for one, and our society. The NFL has a Conduct Policy that I feel is very admirible. And they hold their players accountable, as we've seen with the Mike Vick situation, as well as other athletes in the past.
So yeah, I know that everyone makes mistakes. But whatever. If I made a million plus per year, do you think I’d be driving around drunk, fighting dogs, hanging my kid over a balcony, fist fighting a girl because she said my music was too loud? Hell no! I’d be smiling big, counting my money, attending charity events, swimming at my mansion, and being the best me I could be. But that's just me.
Now it’s Q&A Time.
Here are the questions:
1- Do you think celebrity mishaps affect our youth?
2- Does the idea about the universal signed conduct agreement seem to be a good one?
3- If the universal signed conduct agreement is a good idea, how could we get people to require it?
4- What can be done about celebrity coverage in the media that is so negative?
6- Is the celebrity only responsible for him/her self or do they have a responsibility to the public?
6- Any additional comments?
There’s the Q, now give me the A! What are your answers?
Copyright ©2007 Attica Lundy
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