Transgressions

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/

Tiger Woods’ affair, or affairs, should add an exclamation point to the question of why we elevate celebrities to the status of heroes and convey onto them the responsibility of being role models. Shouldn’t it!?

If someone with the reserved nature of Tiger Woods, someone who seems to shun the spotlight except when called upon by his professional responsibilities, can succumb to such poor behavior, then no celebrity is immune.

What big name in sports or entertainment hasn’t been guilty of some serious moral transgressions? The names are few and far between. And possibly those few were just lucky enough to escape serious scrutiny.

The fall from grace of so many names happens so regularly that it should not even be considered news any more.

The rise to celebrity status typically happens quickly as does the immense amount of money that often comes with such celebrity. No one coaches a fledgling star on how to cope with the new-found status and in fact the surrounding entourage is usually composed of people consciously or unconsciously enabling poor behavior. Given this, it should not be unexpected that celebrities are going to find trouble sooner or later.

Maybe, when a celebrity has retired, and has a lengthy and proven track record of having acted with good grace, has given back to the various communities that have supported him or her throughout their career, has humbly accepted the accolades bestowed, maybe then they can deservedly wear the mantle of role model and hero.