My definition of an icon is someone who made a change or impacted society in some manner or fashion. The three icons I chose who embodied this definition are Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, and rapper Eazy-E.
I chose Eric Wright, better known as Eazy-E, because of the path he paved for gangster rap back in the 80’s. Affectionately called The Godfather of Rap, he along with his group NWA released their most controversial album called Straight Outta Compton. He was also the first African American rapper to ever be invited to the White House to meet a U.S President. My next icon is Michael Jackson who would later be dubbed as the King of Pop. He was a singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and an amazing dancer. He had a number of hits at the top of the charts and won numerous awards. But he was also known for his humanitarian work and his work with charities. He touched many people’s lives with his music and his untimely death was felt by many around the world. The last icon I chose is Barack Obama. People will probably say that I chose him because he is the first African American President of the U.S. Which is true, but that is just one of the reasons. In my opinion it is a very important one because as much as we want our children to believe that they can become anything they want to be, it became even more a reality when we got to see President Obama inaugurated.
These three icons personify hope in my African American community. Whether it be from drug dealer to celebrity, abused child to pop icon, or a boy raised by a single mother to become President of the United States. It is not the personal lives they lived that we want to emulate, it is the fact that they persevered and made it that makes a difference.
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