As a columnist, I mostly try to write on topics of national and global importance, such as the Syrian Civil War, the Egyptian coup d’état, and the increasing threat of Chinese expansionism.
Today, however, I feel it is my journalistic responsibility to discuss an issue that has rocked our nation to its very core — the arrest of Justin Bieber.
Last Thursday, police arrested the young pop star on charges of drunk driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid driver’s license. A Miami judge set his bond at $2,500.
In wake of the arrest, the national news media, right along with entertainment news, has given the whole affair an unprecedented amount of coverage, and only one thing is clear: America loves giving trivial garbage too much attention.
Think back to the respective declines and arrests of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. It was all the news covered for weeks at a time.
While some blame can be given to the media for actually giving in to popular demand, the problem is that people in this country practically lust after the latest gossip concerning celebrities, whether they love them or hate them.
This desire for constant coverage of rich people squandering their wealth and reputations is shallow, petty and totally unbecoming of citizens of the only superpower on Earth.
In this regard, Americans don’t just want Bieber, they are Bieber.
We are blessed by having been born in a country that guarantees our natural rights as human beings, has extremely high economic freedom, provides countless opportunities for us to better ourselves both intellectually and financially and boasts a military that one defense expert suggests could lay low the combined might of literally every other country on Earth put together if they tried to invade.
Sure, the government has lately been overstepping its boundaries in regards to our constitutional liberties, but I would still take the good ‘ole U-S-of-A over any other country any day of the week. As Americans, we have it made.
So how do we use these blessings bestowed to us by men far greater than we? We turn on TMZ or E! Entertainment Television and salivate over the latest celebrity drama. In our never ending quest of gaining more material possession and renown, we have idolized and replicated the behavior of those undeserving of their stature.
This is evident by our obsession with the ever increasing bad behavior of a 19-year-old.
By giving any credence whatsoever to this absolute crap, we are spitting on the legacy of the Founders, the greatest generation and all others who gave their all so that we could live happier and freer than all other nations on the planet.
Like Bieber, we are squandering all of the advantages and opportunities afforded to us. We are embracing a tabloid mentality where only the superficial is of any substance.
As ashamed as I am to say it, this is predominantly among younger Americans. While the younger generations have always been predisposed toward the superfluous, something sets us apart.
Call it being children of the Internet age, products of privilege or even “affluenza” if you plan on committing a felony, we are by far some of the least attentive, shallow, and easily distracted people there are.
We can do better than this.
So the next time you are flipping through television stations and you spot the latest celebrity scoop, for the love of God, change the channel or turn off the TV.
Maybe a drop in ratings would make the news stop reporting on the irrelevant and immaterial.
Ryan McGehee is a 21-year-old political science, history and international studies senior from Zachary, La.