According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a role model is defined as a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. There are role models in our normal everyday lives that are tangible real people such as your friends, a humanitarian figure, etc., but there are also those figures in pop culture that fully take up that “role model” mantle.
As Loot Crate celebrates some of the more questionable role models in this month’s crate, The Daily Crate is taking a look at just a few of the stand-out proper role models from television, film, and more!
Deadpool
While it’s true that Deadpool is on our list of role models that have questionable methods, Wade Wilson has also shown the ability to do plenty of good in his own little ways. Those little ways only come out some of the time but are still enough to land him on our list of proper role models (he’s still on the list of improper ones, but that list was also completely meant for him.
(Marvel Comics)
An example that places him on our list came from a recent issue, Deadpool #20, written by Gerry Duggan and art done by Matteo Lolli. In this issue, in his own Deadpool fashion, the Merc with a Mouth talks a woman off the ledge of his building who was intending to jump. From there, Deadpool has her accompany him on beating up on the bad guys and taking part in other Deadpool debauchery. Bringing someone else along for the typical “Deadpool” way of doing things is not something new to Deadpool, but the actions that he takes after all the fun is said and done is something that invokes the idea of a role model.
In the end, Deadpool brings the young woman to a hospital so she can get help for herself, knowing that what he can do for her would not be enough to truly help. Sure, he could listen, talk, crack jokes to lighten the mood, but deep in the core of the issue, even a superhero cannot provide the help that a professional could. Knowing this is what makes Deadpool part of our list. He knows his limits even though they may be few and far between and doesn’t stop to ask for more help. That is something someone can look to a role model to abide by.
Leslie Knope
(NBC)
Writing a list of role models would be inherently incomplete without including Pawnee, Indiana’s own Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. The character, portrayed by Amy Poehler, is the essential definition of role model. Leslie Knope can be described with the following words (and there’s a lot so we will spare you the full list): smart, caring, compassionate, driven, funny, determined, thoughtful, waffles, confident, and many, many more.
If you find yourself wanting to be an all-around good person and be an inspiration to others, Knope is the way to go. Whether you’re leading the city’s version of the Girl Scouts or remembering every single holiday that you’d had with your best friend (otherwise known as a rainbow-infused space unicorn), one can find some aspect of Leslie Knope to embody in their quest to be role model.
Ron Swanson
On the other side of the spectrum, there is another role model from the government filled halls of Parks and Recreation- the gruff yet lovable Ron Swanson. While Mr. Swanson might be not everyone’s ideal role model, there are many moments in the show that speak loudly to the aspects of Ron that he might not want people to catch on to. For example, taking on the task of teaching a student about government. Sure, it may not have been the best way to have the student learn, but it’s a moment that stuck.
(NBC)
In the end, what you really want Ron Swanson, man of few words, to say to you is that he’s proud of you. Now that’s a mighty fine compliment from the likes of a role model.
Spock
(CBS, Paramount)
Logical. Thoughtful. Alien. Okay, the last one doesn’t quite lend itself to the idea of a role model, but one cannot doubt that the one and only Spock definitely fits the title. As the first officer and science officer of the Starship Enterprise as well as close friend to Captain James T. Kirk, Spock embodies a more thoughtful idea of a role model. Each decision, especially for someone half-Vulcan, would be focused on the logical side. He might be our most logical choice on this list!
Once retiring from life aboard ship, Spock went on to be an Ambassador for the Federation and worked to ease tensions with the Klingons. That in of itself takes a special gift, especially if you know the tensions that come along with the Federation and the Klingons. In all, Spock made sure that those around him knew that there was always something that they could find within themselves that could be better. There are plenty of lessons that can be learned from the things that Spock spoke of: the strength of friendship, the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few, and the famous notion to live long and prosper.
Just watch out for his evil side… that side is far from being a role model.
Tiana
(Disney)
Hard work is an important part of being a role model. Shooting for your dreams, doing all you can to accomplish those dreams, and see your dedication pay off is part of being a role model. Becoming a frog? Not quite the path a role model ideally takes, but a role model would roll with it! In this case, we’re talking about Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Tiana is the perfect example of a role model should be looked up to. Her drive is something that can be perfectly described by the lyrics from “Almost There,” one of the songs Tiana sings during the film
I remember Daddy told me, fairy tales can come true
You gotta make ’em happen, it all depends on you
So I work real hard each and everyday
Now things for sure are going my way
Just doing what I do
Look out boys I’m coming through
Tiana is fully dedicated to a goal and will let nothing get in her way of stopping her. Beyond the working job after job to save up for her restaurant, besides being turned into a frog, and besides dealing with villainy and treachery at multiple turns, Tiana does not falter in keeping herself level-headed, inspiring others to do better in the process, and in the end uses all of her might to accomplish her dream. If that’s not role model material, I don’t know what is.
Role models can be found almost anywhere, as we’ve seen the list above range from characters from television, film, and books who all have their own dynamic ways about them. You have a determined girl wanting to make her dream come true, a government employee who wants to do the best for all people, and an anti-hero that somehow squeaks his way onto the list besides the plethora of evidence out there that should place him on the NOT Role Model list. Nevertheless, the beings on this list fully deserve their titles as role model and in this writer’s opinion, are totally rad.
