Outlook Youth - When you make it big
published:
Sunday | April 27, 2008
File photos
From left, Michael Jackson, Nickeisha Barnes, Beenie Man and Yendi Phillipps
Demar Tracey, Outlook Youth Writer
Once again, Outlook Youth ventured into the streets to ask persons about what they should or should never do when they are placed in some of the commonest situations.
Scenario: Many young persons in today's society aspire to become a public figure, yet others, for some reason or the other, just find themselves in that category unintentionally. But, regardless of how you get there, you ought to know that you ...
Should
Be a positive role model
Petrie, 20. "Celebrities should be aware that they dictate how young people live, whether intentionally or not, so it's important for them to teach their supporters moral values."
Keep your personal life private
Gareth, 18. "You should know how far you want to step over that line, nobody is interested in the average man's life, so yours should be regarded as such (average) regardless of your public status."
Expect criticisms
Philip, 21. "I don't think there is any public figure who has not been criticised, so you becoming one won't break that cycle of 'bad mind', so brace yourselves for the worst comments."
Be approachable
Claudia, 21. "You are now an icon, and people love to come and greet their favourite personalities when they see them. So you have to know how to receive them in a friendly manner."
But, you should never:
Get involved in 'touchy' discussions in public
Lari, 23. "You are supposed to know that public figures aren't allowed to speak their minds freely on topics such as homosexuality and racism on TV or radio, you can lose your fan base and even your job that way."
Lose your cool in public
Maxine, 22. "I know that it happens, but try not to get angry, it does not look good, you have to bear in mind that your life has changed now, so simple things like that can scar your entire image."
Take threats lightly
Alicia, 19. "Nobody in general should take threats lightly, but you being a public figure makes the possibility of that threat being acted on even greater."
Think you are indispensable
Nicholas, 20. "You must never believe that your position can't be filled be others, because it can only take one phone call to find your replacement."
Feedback
In this section, readers of Outlook Youth are asked to share their views on the magazine and about social issues in general.
"I really think the 'Friends on Friends' column is a good addition to the Outlook, because it gives us, the readers who are fans of the celebrities who are featured, a chance to know more about them from a personal source. Because the information that is revealed here would not be given by the celebrities themselves under any circumstances."
- Camille, 31
"When my mom carries home The Sunday Gleaner she always tries to hide it from me because we are always fighting over the Outlook. She likes the Doctor's Advice and I enjoy reading the youth section. But in general I really like everything about The Sunday Gleaner."
- Jody, 16
Have Your Say
The possibility of an early general election being called remains just that, a possibility. But in the event that it should be held this year, which party do you think will emerge victorious?
"Labourite! The JLP is giving free education and free health care. I don't think that anybody is willing to lose them by voting in the PNP, which never wanted to give us those things. In addition, I think that the Labourites are doing an excellent job, they only need to get the violence under control."
- Emily, 20
"I would prefer that no election be called at this moment. The country is not prepared for a snap election and the results that could emerge. Because, if the PNP wins right now I think it would be a widely held belief that they stole it, and that might trigger a civil war, so no elections right now, I'm begging them!"
