I Don't Care What Halle Wore!

Everyday at a certain time, my mom turns the television to a popular show which features only celebrity news. She listens intently as the hosts talks about the Brad and Angelina's latest move, what movie was number one at the box office and if Tom is really taking over Katie's life. I wonder why my mom watches this show and what the big deal really is. I've realized that my mom is only one in the thousands of people who are obsessed with pop culture and what celebs are doing on a minute by minute bases. It's become as though we know these people intimately and it makes me wonder, don't we have our own lives to live?

One of my biggest pet peeves is listening to certain celebs talk about "paparazzi". I understand they have a right to privacy and shouldn't have to be harassed but why is it "paparazzi" when they don't want to be bothered but "photographers" whenever they need to put a movie out or are trying to hawk something. These people are paid millions of dollars to play pretend and dress nice and yet they want to complain and act like spoiled children and we feed right into it. We watch their every move and buy the tabloids which let us know the dirty little secrets they are hiding. We feel good when we hear bad things happen to them because it makes us feel better and like we aren't total losers. We enjoy the nipple slips and the drunk-driving offenses because it shows they are infallible and not the perfect specimens they want us to believe. We are force-fed this news on a daily bases and can no longer surf the web, pick up a magazine or turn on the television without having to hear the latest news on some celeb and I'm tired of it.

This is my rant. I am sick of these people getting paid more money than teachers, fire fighters and cops. 9/11 was the most defining point in history which should have opened our eyes and made us realize this. These brave men and women gave their lives and continue to for pennies and we can only recognize this during the one time in a year. We are putting our children's future in the hands of teachers and cannot pay them what they should be getting. Julia Roberts gets paid more money to pretend to be a teacher. What does that say about the way we feel about our children's future and the hands we are putting them in? With the combined amount of money spent housing, clothing and paying actors, we could virtually end hunger and poverty. I do admire people like Angelina Jolie who is doing something with their fame and making a difference but it's not nearly enough. Don't get me wrong. I am not jealous or envious but mad because I know what a difference these individuals could truly make. They have power and some are using it unwisely or when they do step it up, it's only because it makes for good publicity.

I can't turn myself into a hermit and I know as long as it's entertaining, we are going to continue to be participants in paying close attention to what celebrities do but what I wouldn't give to see everyone take a stand. I would love to see front page news stating that we don't care about your cars and homes. We don't care about the free things you get and you can afford to buy them! We don't care what you're wearing, whom you're sleeping with or who your child's father is. We are going to focus on our own children and parents and what we can do to make this world a little better. Maybe I'm hoping for too much but one day I will hear everyone say, "I don't care what Halle wore" and I will smile.