Archive: Opinions

The term, American Icon, has been bantered around a lot over the past few weeks. Television, radio, print media, and the internet have all focused on the recent celebrity deaths of Ed McMann, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson as the loss of American Icons.

The dictionary defines icon as an image or symbol. It is derived from the Greek verb, eikenai-to resemble. Most of the world identifies the word with the little symbols on a computer screen that you either right or left click to begin an application. But the term icon possesses a deep theological importance as a religious image typically painted on a wooden panel and used in devotions by Eastern Orthodox Christians. Religious icons have been around for nearly 2000 years.

 

So why do we call celebrities American Icons? Do they resemble in any way the saints depicted on wooden panels? Have they performed miracles? Are they admired for the life they have led? The answer to these questions may surprise you.

Aside from Elvis, Michael Jackson may have been the most influential person in the music industry. He transformed music and pop culture creating a national and later, international following that numbered in the hundreds of millions. His single recordings, albums, videos, and live concerts broke every known attendance record. This author remembers dancing to his music at college parties. Travel anywhere around the world-from the cities of Europe to the most remote mountains and deserts, and locals will ask you about Michael Jackson as if you were his neighbor.

But fame has a price, and it took its toll on Michael Jackson. His struggles with drugs, family turmoil, a failed marriage, and allegations of child abuse will forever shadow his accomplishments. He was both "Bad" and a "Thriller."

Ed McMann, another American icon, died at the age of 86. From all accounts, he lived a long and happy life. From his appearances on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethons and Star Search to those annoying Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstake commercials, where he was always presenting some housewife with a check for 10 million dollars, Ed was American symbol image. His jovial nature, constant smile, generosity made him the sentimental favorite across this nation.

As the sidekick to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show", he played along with Johnny's routines like a concert master with the conductor. Every one of Johnny's skits that were not funny became funny with Ed's deep baritone laugh-a laugh that eventually became a parody for many comics. Those of us growing up in the late 1960's through the early 1980's will never forget the words, "And hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees Johnny." His image and cultural legacy remains an important part of American culture.

Pinups, those images of beautiful and alluring women have been an American symbol for decades: Betty Grable, smiling over her shoulder in that girdle of a bathing suit in the '40s. Marilyn Monroe, dress billowing over the sidewalk grate in the '50s. Raquel Welch dressed in cave woman attire, in the '60s. 

And in the 1970's it was Farrah Fawcett. Teenage boys, grown men, and even some girls bought over 10 million of her posters. With her ear to ear smile, the modest cut of her swim suit, and the sexy tilt of her head, the poster managed to be simultaneously naughty and wholesome. It was plenty racy for the 1970's, but most mothers did not object.

Fawcett's rise from Texas cheerleader to international icon came, importantly, in the mid-1970s. The very notion of a sex symbol would soon be under attack, with the women's movement in full swing. Her star role on "Charlie's Angels" and commercial appearances brought her image into American households on a daily basis. There was little, if any, scandal except for the usual Tabloid rubbish. Her diagnosis with cancer, and her battle against the dreaded disease, gave courage to millions who suffer from this illness.

Icons, those images that we uphold, take on many meanings. For those of us who look beyond indivdiual faults and failures, America has lost three very important icons-images and symbols of how ordinary people can achieve stardom and fame. Life offers us many choices, and we are responsible for all that we make. In the end, all we can do to affect real change is simply this, "Start by looking at the man in the mirror." And that is to the point.

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