Icons

There are so many iconic people, TV shows, objects etc... that has really had an impact on me through the years. People such as Michael Jackson and JFK and movies such as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off have really influenced me in the past and will always be icons. More recently, there have more pop culture icons that will never be forgotten. One is Ellen DeGeneres who is a comedian, talk show host, movie star, and a gay rights activist has influenced women all over the world to stand up for what they believe in. My favorite television reality show American Idol has become a world phenomenon that has captivated the world and given ordinary people the chance to fulfill their dreams. An iconic symbol that has really influenced me especially recently, is the pink ribbon symbolizing the fight against breast cancer. All three of these icons have influenced me and will be added on to the list of what are important icons in my life.

Ellen DeGeneres has always been a great influence on who I am. She is a very positive person and with all her energy and laughter, watching her show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, can really end my workday right. People tend to look at the world in a half-empty sort of way and Ellen really has a half-full take on life. She struggled her way to success and being a woman she had to achieve success through determination. Ellen is also gay and has been a strong activist for the gay communities. I am not gay, but I do believe that gay rights are important for equality in this country. We are not the judge of someone's choice. She has become an icon by achieving success through all the adversity. I believe she has had a long lasting influence on this generation and generations to come.

American Idol has become a pop culture phenomenon over the past nine years. When it first came out, I didn't really like it much but as I continued to really learn what it was all about I became a huge fan. People from all over the country come to try out for this show and amazing artists like Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and Chris Daughtry, may never have been discovered without this show. There are some people that are addicted to this show and I've yet to understand why people crave it like chocolate. I enjoy the show and watch it when I can but I do not go crazy about. American Idol brings in millions of viewers and voters. It has also inspired the creation of Britain's Got Talent. American Idol to people is hope that they can fulfill their lifelong dream of being a singer. It has inspired such reality shows as, So You Think You Can Dance and Americans Got Talent and will be continued success.

A few years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. She is a survivor due to early prevention. The pink ribbon stands for the fight again breast cancer and saves lives every year. You can't walk into a large box store and not see a pink ribbon on something you could purchase. Just the other day I went to buy a beach towel and saw one with the pink ribbon on it. There are young girls including myself that at some point in our lives did not know what it meant. This curiosity sparks questions about the symbol and what it stands for. Ambassadors such as Reese Witherspoon and Christina Appelgate are great role models and spokespeople for this great cause. This organization and the pink ribbon are a way for people to come together as one big support group. According to www.pinkribbon.org, 186,772 women and 1,815 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,954 women and 362 men died from breast cancer in 2004. Not only should women be concerned about breast cancer but men should be aware as well. This is a great organization and the pink ribbon is a great icon in the fight against breast cancer.

Ellen Degeneres – www.ellen.warnerbros.com
American Idol - www.americanidol.com
Pink Ribbon – www.pinkribbon.org