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Stop Following in Celebrities' Footsteps

By Priscilla Blow
Black College Wire

In today's society, it seems that most people tend to be blind followers, ignoring their own views on major issues and trends.

Priscilla Blow

If a celebrity comes out with a new line of clothing it would be no surprise to see thousands flee to retail stores to purchase their clothing. For example, when The Pack, a hip-hop group, came out with their hit song "Vans," the sales for that footwear skyrocketed. There was an obvious correlation between "Vans" and the increase in the shoes sales.

Let's not forget Nelly's 2002 hit single, the chart-topping "Air Force Ones". After he came out with that song, everyone was sporting those sneakers.

Instances like this leaves me with no other choice but to believe that the media has a strong influence on Americans.

Trends are pointless.

I have to admit, at times I have fallen victim to these circumstances but I refuse to believe that we should be blindfolded by the ignorance of others or ourselves.

We live in a time when many of us live through another human being.

Everyone has an individual they admire and look to for advice. For some it may be the President of the United States, while others may admire their local television anchor.

But too many of us have fallen victim to following others without getting their background information.

Posted Nov. 20, 2007

It is pointless to follow in someone else's footsteps if you haven't made some decisions on your own.

Too many people follow by spending countless dollars just so that they can resemble what is being conveyed on television or in magazines.

Why are we so incapable of making up our own minds and following our own unique styles?

Each one of us has our own light that is unlike the next person's.

Sometimes the media blindfold us and makes us ignore our own uniqueness. Therefore, follow your intuition because it will never lead you in the wrong direction.

Don't be moved by unnecessary trends and seemingly good role models; instead stand for what is most important.

In the meantime, others like me will try aiding in molding the media and shedding more light on the positive things that are happening in our communities so that we may equip ourselves to see beyond the statistical and stereotypical examinations that assume that minorities are only good at being performers, ball players and drug dealers.

We are more than that because our history is embodied in the richness of distinction, but we must not be blindfolded by unnecessary depictions of ourselves portrayed by mainstream media.

Now that you know to avoid being categorized as blind followers, maybe you will become leaders instead.

Articles in the "Voices" section represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Black College Wire.

Priscilla Blow, a student at Florida A&M University, writes for the Famuan, where this article first appeared.