Michelle Obama criticizes the worship of celebrities, sports stars

The Hill ^

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Michelle Obama criticizes the worship of celebrities, sports stars

By Emily Goodin - 05/17/13 02:06 PM ET

Michelle Obama on Friday urged black youth to stay in school instead of dropping out to become a "baller or a rapper."

The first lady, speaking to graduates at Bowie State University, a historically black college, criticized the worship of sports stars and celebrities.

"Today, instead of walking miles every day to school, they’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV," she said of black youth. "Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper."

She went on to point out the high dropout rate for black students.

"Right now, one in three African-American students are dropping out of high school. Only one in five African-Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 has gotten a college degree — one in five," she said.

The first lady also encouraged parents to turn off the TV and take away video games.

"Take a stand against the media that elevates today’s celebrity gossip instead of the serious issues of our time. Take a stand against the culture that glorifies instant gratification instead of hard work and lasting success," she said.

Obama was giving her second commencement address of the graduation season. She spoke to students at Eastern Kentucky University earlier this month and will address graduates Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School in Nashville, Tenn., on May 18.

[zeestephen]

I plead guilty to old age.

I recall that new books would come out during our summer vacation, every year or two.

I had two brothers, and my father who would only buy one copy, so you can imagine the war that would set off in the back seat as to who got to read it first.

In the 1950’s and 60’s my Dad owned a hotel and worked 24/7 for 10 months a year.

Then we'd go on vacation for two months, driving all over America.

Mom, Dad, and three boys jammed into a car all day and then jammed into one motel room all night.

Looking back, I rather doubt my parents thought that was a “vacation.”

As the new book release date approached, we would make my Dad drive around every town we passed through and look for bookstores.

At some point in the 1960’s, I remember the price went over $2.00.

My Dad groused all afternoon that they jacked the price up because we were from “out of town.”