Power of Opinion: America and the Oil Spill

Let's take a break from obsessing over celebrity lives, and focus on something a bit more profound. While looking into the life of Lindsay Lohan may be scarring, this post will touch on something that is truly horrifying.

The oil spill in the Gulf, and what it showed me about the power of opinion.

Once again, I'm touching on something that has been touched so much it's barely even a story anymore. It has been dragged and pushed around by the media to the point where I'm not even sure when it began or when it will end.

When I say I'm not sure when it began, I speak the truth. The first thing I remember hearing was on the BBC. It was halfway through my trip to London, and I had just gotten used to hearing about Greece and Italy's suffering economies on the nightly news instead of the continuous American coverage of our own problems at home.

But this night, I heard something different. Instead of hearing about how the European Union was a mess, I heard the newscaster say "enormous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico". My first thought: "Oh great."

As Americans we've become accustomed to being cynical and sometimes even hypocritical about the nation we live in. We don't like our president, even though WE voted for him. We think our government is full of a bunch of idiots even though we once said this was the year things would change and it would start with who WE vote into office. We sing the national anthem at ball games and then look over our shoulders where WE bash our own citizens and economy to "that guy" sitting behind us.

I'm not a super political person, but these are just human observations.

Living in London, I realized this was never truer. I was embarrassed to admit I was from America at times, and then I would wonder why I hesitated to respond to the cute old woman on the tube who wondered if I was American or Canadian. I constantly say I'm so lucky to be from the US. That we are free, and we are mighty, and we are the best nation in the world.

Yet, there was never pride in my voice when I answered these questions. After I heard that news report, the reality of the situation never really hit. I brushed it off as another one of America's "oopsies" moments. Then, the British people, who were strong supporters of Obama in the beginning, began to talk. It suddenly wasn't about the oil gushing into the Gulf. It was about the stupidity of America, and how once again we had made a blunder.

It stung a bit, but I wish I could say it really burned. In fact, I kind of agreed. For being a nation that is so notoriously powerful, we sure can be looked at as a bunch of losers in other nation's perspectives.

It wasn't until I returned home a month later that I realized how big of a deal this really was. Almost immediately after I stepped on US soil, I was bombarded with news about the spill. All of sudden, my patriotism came soaring back. Why hadn't I defended America back when I heard other countries attacking it?

It's a question that still makes me think, and I think it's worth a moment of contemplation.

As US citizens, we have a duty to protect our nation in every way possible. Does that include defending against what we hear come from other people's mouths? In essence, defending ourselves against others opinions?

It's a kind of global public relations that will keep this stereotype of the United States going. I don't know when it started, and I have no idea when it will end, but I have no doubt that word of mouth is an amazingly strong tool that we don't give enough credit to. The power of anti-American opinion affects other countries in this world, and I'm living proof it can affect US citizens.. I'm definitely guilty of it, and I know many other people whose opinions on America change depending on who they're having a discussion with.

My lesson learned? Pay attention and separate your own opinions from those around you. Not everyone thinks the same way you do, and it's worth a few minutes listening to the other views in this world. I can relate this simple lesson to so many things in my life, including my career, my friends and family, and even this blog.

I just wish I didn't have to realize this small issue within myself from such a devastating disaster, and here's to hoping the situation in the Gulf can be resolved.

LeBron vs. Lohan: What Can We Learn?

Unfortunately, I'm about to go into territory that everyone will groan about. Apologies in advance.

LeBron James and Lindsay Lohan.

Ouch, I know, that hurt to read. Your home pages, nightly news, and even email inbox have probably been filled with these two names over the past month and you're bound to be sick of it. I am too, but I did notice something regarding these two now infamous names, that separates the nauseatingly obnoxious stories of both media darlings.

Lindsay Lohan hasn't always been a mess, even though it seems that way. She started as a child actor (which many say was where she went wrong to begin with) and was America's sweetheart in The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, and Mean Girls. Then she hit puberty, started dating creeps and going to nightclubs, and the next thing we know, she's getting caught driving drunk and possessing cocaine. Since she lost her damn mind, it seems like all we've heard is another mistake she's made, and how she's somehow still walking around L.A..

LeBron James on the other hand, has always been a hero. A stand-up man who came from nothing to become the biggest basketball player in the world. His life has gotten continuously better, and some can argue that his success isn't going to stop now, even with his city-altering decision to play for Miami instead of Cleveland.

What do these two seemingly opposites have in common? Coverage.

Both people have been unrelentingly in the news for the past month. Lohan is in jail, and she's still covering our television screens! What makes their stories different, is the way coverage was attained, and the outcome.

James coverage was calculated, very thought out, and controlled to the miniscule details. He set up a live announcement that was even titled "The Decision" on ESPN to tell the world where he would be playing next season. It was PR at it's finest. Or at least, that's probably what James was thinking.

In reality, he got the logistics and planning right. What he failed to realize, is that he was missing tact and heart. By announcing to the world on live television that he was leaving his hometown to play with two other superstars in Miami, it felt like a slap in the face to all of his fans. Sure, I may be biased since I myself am a Cleveland-er, but his idea to televise his decision has been critiqued by announcers and experts every day since it aired. It's not just me that was a little ticked off.

Then we take a look at Lohan. The girl didn't set up a press conference to announce she had to wear an alcohol detecting ankle bracelet or that she was sentenced to jail. We all just knew. Her life has always been in the tabloids, and it seems we know everything and more about the details of her daily routine. It's gross, and it's annoying, yet we can't look away. While Lindsay certainly didn't do any planning for her media coverage, she certainly didn't do anything to stop it for the past 5 years. Because of her actions previous to her sentencing, we don't feel bad for her. The media coverage is making her out to be what we like to see in Hollywood...a failure.

So what can we learn from both of these mistakes in the public eye?

To never lose the importance of careful planning and outside assistance. James and Lohan both made mistakes. They weren't of the same caliber, but could have been avoided if they had handled them differently.

We may not all be royal messes like Lindsay Lohan, or a self-proclaimed "King" of basketball. But we can take their lives and apply to our own individual professional life. It's important to remember that we can never lose sight of who we are affecting when we make a professional or life decision. Whether it is an entire city, or just your own well-being, don't forget that decisions have repercussions, and it's up to you to look at all angles to ensure you're doing the right thing.

So do your co-workers and peers a favor. Don't hold any press conferences for news that doesn't deserve it, and don't let your personal life spiral into a story that is more exciting than you are.

If we don't ever hear of James or Lohan again after tonight, at least we can learn that much.

After months and months...an update.

Well...it's been quite awhile. Especially considering my last post was about Tiger Woods who was front and center in the media spotlight and has since been eclipsed by Lindsay Lohan going to jail, Lebron James leaving the Cavs, and Mel Gibson losing his freaking mind.

And since I've been gone, I promise I haven't just been neglecting to write. I spent all of spring quarter in London, England. 2 months in another continent. 2 months being the farthest away from home I had ever been. 2 months of constant activity and traveling.

The 2 months I spent in Europe absolutely changed my life.

I left knowing that I was different. Obviously not on the outside, but somewhere deep inside a little piece of me was added. I felt more complete, but at the same time, more empty. I had experienced something I had always dreamt about, and had actually gone out and accomplished it. But at the same time, I only saw three countries, in a continent of so many. I felt the need to see more of Europe, but time got in the way. 2 months may seem like a long time, but it flew.

I learned things about myself and realized I'm much more resilient than I thought. I was tougher and not as weak as I once thought I was. I also noticed weaknesses, such as low-tolerance for annoyances and lack of neatness.

In the end, I came out as a new Rachel.

It's hard to believe I was just there a month ago. It's amazing how things go back to normal after such a momentous event in your life. That's why I want to hold on to it for as long as possible, and that's why I've decided to incorporate it into this blog. Instead of just focusing on sleazy celebrities (even though they just make it SO easy) I'm going to try to expand on all of popular culture, from all over the world. I'm obviously not very educated on Africa or Asia...but I'll try to make it a good mix. I don't want to let the international life I held for 2 months slip away, and so in a slightly selfish turn of events, this blog will hopefully help me stay in contact.

Of course, I'll still write about celebrities. They're my favorite reason to surf the internet. And being from Cleveland, Lebron James is just asking for it with his recent horrendous PR decision. But that's beside the point.

I hope I can keep people's interest, and am always looking for ways to improve, so don't hesitate to comment or shoot me an email.

If you want to read more about my travels in Europe, I kept a blog while I was there with some pictures and slideshows as well as (almost) daily descriptions of what I did. It can be found here: The London Life

I'll try to become more regular at posting, and try to get this blog back in shape sooner rather than later.

Until next time...