Let's Talk Tiger!
65American Heroes
Okay, I know things have settled down since the initial media feeding frenzy and the Nation’s hysteria over the demise of sport’s icon, Tiger Woods. But I've been doing some thinking about the state of his affairs, and I want to share my thoughts. Tiger is a symbol of many things to many people all over the world. Tiger had become America’s symbol of a man of color who transcended racial barriers to become everything American’s love – rich beyond measure; owner of real estate worldwide that resembles castles, and of estates that average people will never come close to actually seeing up close and personal; good looking; successful; and athletically gifted. He was our hero possessing a combination of fame, wealth, and athleticism that put him on par with some form of deity.
And of course, corporations smelled the money and used Tiger to make us feel good about their products. White people felt proud seeing confirmation that a person of color in America can climb the ladder of success if he just works hard and has the talent. The myth that anyone can rise to the top was perpetuated by his rise to fame. Tiger was a win-win.
Money Rules
The Crash and Burn of our Gods
But, why do we fall for it? “It” being that those rock stars in the world of sports or Hollywood, or politics, are above the fray and somehow immune from the laws and foibles of real life. Society bestowed a mantle of wholesomeness and goodness upon Tiger that was based on pure fantasy – the image created by the best Marketers in Corporate America, an image fans long to embrace and an image that makes executives rich. I’m not suggesting Tiger is not a good person. What I’m saying is that we don’t know Tiger or the other social icons that become vessels of our projection. The phenomena of worshiping the talented, the rich, the powerful and the famous seems as natural to humans as our instincts to oppress the weak and go for the jugular when people disappoint us. Hero worship spans centuries, the entire globe, and exists in all areas of human interest from political figures to rock n’ rollers. We project onto these mere mortals our dreams, fantasies, and ideas of goodness. We don’t want to know who they really are and resent the truth when it clashes with our unrealistic beliefs. And, when they fail to deliver, fall from grace, succumb to their addictions, and show they are just like us, only human, we become disappointment and enraged. We brand them with a scarlet A, turn them into pariah, and shame them. We insist it’s our right because we own them, they have become ours, we have paid them in gold and they were expected to deliver. We count on them to be what we ourselves cannot – our superficial idea of perfection.
Why Icons Self-Destruct
Tiger seemed to have everything – a beautiful wife and children, money, and fame, and the endorsements of the most powerful players in the world. Why did he betray us by falling from grace, fans lament? In a country that sells sex 24/7, we are ironically appalled by infidelity and sexual indiscretion. It seems the order of the day, our public figures are being “outted” for infidelity or some sort of sexual indiscretion. Tiger’s fall is not uncommon, but made more tragic because he has been a symbol to Black’s and others of the dream that hard work and the achievement of excellence is the gateway for all into the privileged world of the white elite. Being unfaithful to his wife with strippers, pole dancers, and porn stars, reinforces the worst stereotypes of the Black male, making his public humiliation even more profound. The pressure to be perfect, to be a public hero, to always play at the top of one’s game, must be unbearable. The unrealistic expectations put upon our social icons are a set up for self-destruction and a target on the hero’s back. We insist on believing regular humans should be super human and we call for blood when they fail. American adults revert to the mentality of high school kids who deify their football coach, the latest rock star, or outstanding quarterback, and are shocked to discover their flaws.
Misplaced Values
We give our icons permission to use the world’s resources like gluttons with impunity. We admire them for having more and doing less. If they own 10 mansions, each worth many millions of dollars, we accept that as their right to live the good life with their hard earned fortunes. We don’t call them on their greed because we value unconscionable accumulation of land and things as just rewards for being god-like. But, if they violate our moral standards, we will shun them.
A Vow of Silence – Paying the Price for Gold
While Tiger is well-known for his philanthropy, none of this work has been in any way controversial, and therefore has not threatened to offend any particular political group. For example, it is known that while he privately supported Democratic candidates, he would not openly endorse them. Perhaps he was schooled by Nike to avoid offending Republicans who buy tennis shoes. Tiger’s decision to keep controversial opinions to himself is understandable from a business point of view. However, it raises some questions, “How much money is worth being silent on issues that a person may deem important to achieve social justice and prompt important social change? Is it selling out to get richer and richer if one is required to hold one’s tongue on some of the most important issues of our time? How much are we willing to give up for the spoils of fleeting fame and fortune?”
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Hi William, nice to hear from you. Yes, celebrities are human too! Oh, and Bing had a lovely voice and did some wonderful films but apparently was human like the rest of us! lol
So the media is responsible. Wake up and smell the coffee. The man is an asshole. He's a great golfer who can't keep it in his pants. Your right though, the media makes these people gods who are capable of no wrong. The price you pay for fame though. Wrong-maybe- but that's the way it is. Incidently, isn't it the same media that put the "Fool on the Hill".
Hi Taxman, the point isn't that the media is responsible for the actions of celebrities - the point is the society buys into the hype that these people are super heroes. And, of course all of the media hype around certain celebs who endorse products, just helps support the myth.
I've never understood this society's demand to stick their noses into the private lives of other people. (Particularly politicians.) I for one couldn't care less who is doing what with who, and don't want to know. If Tiger Woods or anyone else can't keep his pecker in his pants, as far as I'm concerned, it is a matter between him and his wife.
He is acclaimed for his ability to play a sport (??) very well -- that's it. Anything else should stay private.
Perhaps, as you say, the desire for such knowledge is a symptom of a sense of ownership. Personally, I think it is simple Shadenfreud and we love to watch them fall from their pinnacle.
P.S. Glad you're back.
Immartin, Yes,Shadenfreud - delight in other people's misfortune seems to explain a big part of this - of course, the entertainment journalists get paid to exploit any weakness or misfortune and keep the story going as long as possible. In some ways, these stories become object lesson or morality plays that are told by the media and slanted to fit the media bias. The audience is relieved in some ways that at the end of the day, the stars are vulnerable and maybe their own mundane lives are not so bad after all.
How many of those mundane lives don't contain the self-same vices? I remember the hullabaloo over Clinton's blow job from Monica. All of congress came down on his neck, every opinion pundit jumped all over him, every religous zealot damned him to hell -- as if there are many men who'd refuse head from a pretty young woman. And who cares? But, I'm told, the problem wasn't what he did, but that he lied about it. Gee -- a married man who lies about a sexual encounter -- not too many of those around.
lmmartin, exactly. And, how many of those calling for Clinton's head (no pun intended), have since been called out on their own affairs and sexual escapades! Quite a few. As an aside, is it possible for a man to be faithful to one woman? Just asking, no offense to the guys out there. lol!
Good Hub Kartika. I agree also with lmmartin - the guy's a great golfer, why can't we just accept that and leave his private life alone? There's many a man has done what he's done, and worse, without their pecadilloes ever hitting the headlines. Leave the guy, and all the other straying males (don't women ever stray? I think they do also!) to their own devices (oops!) it has nothing to do with the rest of us.
Love and peace
Tony
Tony, thanks for your comments - WOW we are a nation of voyeurs and stone throwers - I must admit sometimes I get on that bandwagon myself when the Right wingers who have called the Democrats out on infidelity are exposed for doing the same thing! Love and peace to you also!
When I found out he was hangin' wit Sir Charles (Barkley) in Vegas, I knew where the story was heading. And here's to you Joe DiMaggio! Our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you! Woo! Woo! Woo! Say it ain't so! So,in the end,it is human nature. We all want to pretend we are naive eight year olds who believe in fairy tales. And we hate to be exposed for what we really are: Sexually irresposible and morally weak.
kartika...VERY good points and a wellwritten hub. I admit when the chaos first started with Mr. Woods, I did try to defend him on other social sites. Afterall I saw firsthand young people get famous and rich overnight and some them all take a tumble at some point in their lives....I was there to witness it all and a lot of the time I "forgave" them in a profound way......I would say "they are young," "everything has happened too quickly," they will eventually "grow up."
When more and more chaos came out in the press I began to eat my words.....wondering how someone could get "so out of control" and I knew deep down he just "tumbled" like any other young person would do with that much power. Corporations run celebrities lives........I have seen certain docs that people have signed. They OWN you once you take any payment from them.....He probably signed a lot of NDA's and this does not make it ok.....some do not read the "small writing"
I guess I could go on and on......the whole thing is sad really.....the media frenzy, the issues with his color........Anyway, thanks for bringing this to light in your writing.......G
HI Gpage! Yes, I agree with what you say here. I think society needs to stop believing the media hype. It seems Tiger was never the happy and faithful husband or society's ideal of a family man. We never know who these icons are, but when they use their celebrity to support positive social change and talk opening about what they believe, we have more insight. I think Tiger may traded opportunity for money.
William F. Torpey Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Good work, kartika. The only difference between celebrities and the rest of us is that celebrities are better known -- by definition. Other than that, there's not a dime's worth of difference. To me, Bing Crosby is an icon, but I recognize he was only human like the rest of us (but a much better singer, actor, entertainer -- and golfer, fisherman, hunter and horseman.)