Charles Barkley, American hero. That's right, you heard it here first. The man best known for witty remarks, elbow throwing and lack of self control is a role model for all Americans. "Is this guy smoking crack?" you might say, but careful examination of Barkley's life reveals a man who should be praised for what he's done.
Barkley is the living embodiment of the American dream. He grew up in a poor family in Leeds, Alabama. This town which had long suffered from crippling unemployment was such that people just could not escape. But Barkley found a way. He had few athletic gifts in his High School. Simply enough, he was an overweight kid who liked to play basketball. For hours, he would go and shoot at a deserted court, pushing himself with physical drills, and working as hard as he could to get better. His reward: an athletic scholarship.
Eventually Auburn University saw the skill encompassed in this hard working youngster, and accepted him. There, he became legendary as the Round Mound of Rebound. At Auburn, he maintained his strong work ethic, not only in improving his game, but in getting a degree. From there he went on to become the best 6 foot 4 and a half inch basketball player ever to play the game of basketball.
His achievements result from hard work, grit and determination, not any gifts or handouts. If half the people in this country would strive as diligently to attain their goals as Barkley, our society would improve dramatically. Rather than solemnly accepting his situation, Barkley did everything he could to take himself to his dreams. This is one reason why Barkley can be considered a great American hero.
I don't know how many of you watch TV, but you might recall a commercial Sir Charles had some years ago. "I am not a role model" was his slogan. People tried to crucify him, but they never bothered to listen to the rest of his words. He simply stated that he should not be kids' number one role model; in fact that was their parents' position.
This is one of the classiest things ever uttered by a superstar. His position is that his acting appropriately or not should be independent of the effect it should have on children. With all the current hoopla by political players over family values, perhaps a bit of concentration on the words of this man among men would draw some much-needed attention to our popular culture's own flaws.
However, Barkley's most noble goal is his plan to run for governor. Many think he is joking, but his book shows that he is dead serious. The real reason that the Chuck Wagon is an American Hero is his answering the call to civic duty. This man, who has taken advantage of every opportunity offered in the capitalist system, is not sitting on his laurels; no, Barkley is giving back.
Many times I see people say that they are going to lawyer this and doctor that, but rarely do I hear people say they are going to perform civic duty. We need intelligent people to reinvest their brilliance in the system. If Dartmouth students ran the Federal government, I guarantee you that we would be miles ahead of these jokers we have as congressmen and senators. They aren't all boils on the backside of humanity, but many of them are enraptured with monetary gain instead of simple common sense.
The educated citizens of this country can work at whatever they want for a while, but should, nay must, input back into the system. After all, if you reap the benefits of living in such a great country, shouldn't you return the favor for future generations?
To understand Barkley, you need to release your misconceptions. Yes, he did almost break an Angolan in half at the 92 Olympics, and, yes, he did spit on someone (by mistake). But he's an emotional guy! THAT'S the best part about him! He isn't some saint that would be impossible to emulate, he is a human being like you or me. That gives us hope that we contribute to society like Charles Barkley has and continues to do. Thus, the title well deserved: Charles Barkley: American Hero.
