POPULAR CULTURE ICONS : 2-1
When choosing my icons, I thought of whom/what has influenced my life in the most positive, profound way that I will always remember. My choices are Nelson Mandela, Richard Pryor and Tyler Perry; three amazingly strong Black men that set movements in motion. The Encarta Dictionary defines icon as 'somebody or something widely and uncritically admired, especially…symbolizing a movement or field of activity. All three of my icons have been there…done that.
Nelson Mandela, prisoner # 46664, Nobel Peace Prize winner, first Black president of South Africa is the face of triumph against apartheid and had a long walk to freedom. The world watched as Nelson "Madiba" Mandela spent 27 years in prison for refusing to remain a less than 2nd class citizen under the minority white ruled National Party. The world responded to the crushing racist apartheid system with an international outcry to end it and free Mandela that became too loud to ignore. Mandela was freed, inspired the nation of South Africa, ran for president (which resulted in South Africans standing in line for days to register and vote) and was elected president. His Love for his people and his country, his forgiveness and lack of bitterness for his captures, and the integrity and honor he has maintained has made him "uncritically admired" the world over. He is the epitome of an icon; he moved the world to act.
Richard Pryor was more than just a funny dude. He was a true comedic genius and a pioneer for Black comedians. He was famous for having the nerve to tell the truth about how life really was for Black folks and for poking funny truths at the white establishment. Richard was brave and unafraid of being himself in the eyes of the world. He was the 1st person to win the Mark Twain Prize for American humor (the greatest feat for any comedian), he co-wrote scripts for mainstream television back in the day and won an Emmy for his work on the Lily Tomlin show and with Mel Brooks. He was an actor, producer, director, writer, and in all of it, remained a comedian. Richard set precedence for the current movement to eradicate the N-word. After a trip to Africa, he returned and vowed to never use the word again. He said there were no N*#g*s in Africa so they could not be here. Richard Pryor, after winning the Mark Twain award, said that he like Twain, was able to use his humor to lessen people's hate. He did that. Everybody was too busy laughing to even care about the differences.
Tyler Perry has overcome major adversities; child abuse, molestation and homelessness, to become the 1st Black man to buy-build-own his own movie studio, and not in Hollywood. He has bucked all protocol and rules of the "good-ol' boy network" and have been successful because or in spite of it. Tyler has given Black actors a format, a stage and a place to be within the industry. He has bridged racial divides in his scripts and on his stage. Tyler's plays appeal to the senses and consciousness of Black people with the "morals" of the story. He appeals to the "right thing" in people and encourages all people but especially Black people to never quit. He is an inspiration of what can be had with determination and smart work. His stick-to-it-ness is evident by the success of all of his movies, plays, and foundations. Tyler went from homelessness to becoming a 2011 Forbes highest paid entertainer alum and remaining true to himself. He is one more example of a true icon; he made moves for the benefit of actors, but especially for Black actors.
