tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33066238.post7357601011801861089..comments2009-04-25T16:44:23.020+02:00Dr. Atul Shahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394476507835005139noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33066238.post-44186336844167478142009-04-25T16:44:00.000+02:002009-04-25T16:44:00.000+02:00Hi Atul - I totally agree with you. Ordinary people do extraordinary things. This is important I feel when we look at the concept of role models, which the government and media harps on about all the time especially when it comes to black youth. <br /><br />The idea seems to be that if we put someone "extraordinary" on a pedestal that will encourage young black people (especially young men) to want to do better, but the problem with that is that it suggests that these boys are not in themselves already extraordinary and that they need to look to these 'extraordinary' people in order to get out of their ordinariness.<br /><br />Maybe a better solution is to encourage these so-called ordinary young people to believe that they are and can be extraordinary... and to also use role models from the community. We underestimate how even seemingly ordinary things like a regular family raising happy children is a positive and inspiring thing. <br /><br />I like the Obamas because they are humble and down to earth and show that they are just like us. Which of course they are!<br /><br />www.lolacreative.comLolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10746071808096457296noreply@blogger.com