I had an algebra teacher in college who wanted us to look at subtraction differently so as to better handle some of the algebra problems. He told us not to look at subtraction as "take away" as we were taught in elementary school. "Addition and subtraction are the same thing. Addition is the adding of positive numbers, while subtraction is the adding of negative numbers. It's the same thing."
I can apply the same idea to role models.
The way I see it there are no good or bad role models. People can either be good examples on how to behave in civilized society or they can be good examples on how not to behave in civilized society. We grown-ups have choices to make in life. Paris Hilton made some bad choices. Paris Hilton was arrested Hollywood on Sept. 7, 2006 and charged with driving under the influence. She blew a .08 (In California, driving with a .08 blood alcohol level is the minimum level for DUI). She pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education, and $1,500 in fines.
On Jan. 15 she was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol. When she was informed that her license was suspended, Paris signed a document acknowledging she was not to drive. Then, on Feb. 27, when she was pulled over a third time, a judge sentenced Paris to 45 days in county jail for violating her probation.
Being a resident of Hollywood (where Paris was first arrested) and having lost a friend to a drunk driver, I was very disturbed when I heard that Paris Hilton was released because of an unspecified medical condition.
Do the jails not have medical facilities? Paris, like many others arrested for drunk driving, seemed more interested getting out of trouble then showing any sort of remorse. Paris did do an anti-drunk driving ad in Seventeen Magazine, but my cynicism tells me that was a PR move. Then again, getting arrested is a good PR move for Paris Hilton because she lives in a world where there is no such thing as bad press. As a celebrity - and I use that word loosely - Paris gets invited to do a P.S.A. as a way to work off her sentence. She also gets VIP treatment in our justice system. Now she will be under confinement in her 2,700-square-foot Hollywood Hills home, wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, for the remaining 40 days of her sentence. As I’m writing this I see on the news that she got some of her favorite cupcakes delivered to the house for free. Paris should be a good role model on how not to behave in civilized society. Instead she reaffirmed a long-standing belief that if you are rich and good looking you can get away with anything. Soon Paris will make money off of this situation. I see books, designer orange jump suits, and official Paris Hilton jewel-encrusted ankle bracelets.
Article comments
1 - Paul Levinson
Good analysis. Nonetheless, I think the clearest indictment in all of this should be larged against the media, for their wall-to-wall coverage this story ... Media Are a Girls' Best Friend
2 - Doug Hunter
Blowing a point 08 is not exactly fall down drunk. At that level of intoxication you're no more dangerous than someone on their cellphone or choking down a burger behind the wheel.
Her punishment is probably more severe than the average person (and expecially an illegal immigrant) who broke similiar laws. Celebrity justice certainly cuts both ways. There are many who cater to the wealthy, there are equally many bitter, hateful types who are jealous of the money and status. I think you see examples of both in Mrs. Hilton's case.
3 - Jessica
i think paris hilton is a bad role model and girls that look up to her making a mistake
you need good role models like Jessica Alba , Beyonce Knowles, Delta Goodrem, and Fergie these are some good examples of role models.
the thing that paris does are just for attention
and because shes so dumb people only notic her for the stupid things she does....So if you look up at her for role model youe making a mistake...
find a better ROLE MODEL .....
4 - Aiimiie
I think Paris is A bad role model and to stick up for her is to stick up for someone who didn't have to work hard to get where they are.
5 - The jelly doughnuts are coming!!!
I suppose that Paris can not be blamed for getting special treatment, however she can be blamed for expecting and demanding it. The worst thing about her is that she does pretty much everything that she does for publicity purposes only. She does not make "music" because she has something to express through art, she does it because she wants fame and money. She does not get roles in films because she is truly interested in acting and cinema but because she wants press and cash. She lacks integrity both in her personal and professional life, the product of her "work" is horrible, she is very promiscuous, and she simply isn't a very real person. I agree entirely with you, she is a good role model when it comes to how not to act. But hey, not everyone is cut out to be a role model, celebrities are just humans who make mistakes and have to strive to change, just like us. The problem is that she lacks actual talent, maturity, personality, and does not seem to have the want to change. Why is everyone so interested in her? Sigh, my culture worries me sometimes...
6 - lol
jessica-So if you look up at her for role model youe making a mistake...
find a better ROLE MODEL .....
what if your looking at her being a bad role model