I've been meaning to compile a list like this for some time. I need your help. The people on this list are Americans, living or dead, that I admire. I'd love to hear some of your favorites, too.Mine include, in no particular order:
- Fred Rogers (above)
- Jane Addams
- Martin Luther King Jr. (obviously)
- Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
- Louis Armstrong
- Dorothea Dix
- Bill Moyers
- Margaret Sanger
- Woody Guthrie
- Rosa Parks
- Howard Zinn
- Barbara Ehrenreich
- edited to add: Grant Miller
20 comments:
Why'd you leave me off the list?
Sorry, Grant. Give me a sec.
Thanks Chris.
Lovie Smith. And Bea Arthur - she rocks.
Glad you put Grant Miller on there
Bruce Springsteen: God Among Men
The teacher in me wants to write comments like "WHY?" and "supporting evidence?" all over your virtual paper. How 'bout a new weekly installment - take one favorite American each week and tell us why you love him/her. Maybe you could even go in alphabetical order.
I admire most of your picks, but I'd add Wendell Berry. And Thomas fucking Jefferson!
Moe Sizlack
Rachel Carson
Chief Joseph
Henry David Thoreau
oh, and Dr. Seuss
Thanks for including a psych nurse on your list (Dorothea Dix). You rule!
It's easy to lampoon Fred Rogers (i.e. Eddie Murphy's hilarious Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood skit on SNL), but he was light years ahead of anyone else on TV when it came to addressing the emotional needs of children. He was the first host of a children's show that was truly respectful of them. At least we still have The Wiggles, right Flannery?
My father and Fred Rogers were good friends when I was a kid. My brother and I used to go on the set of the show, although I really don't remember much about it. From what I remember and from what my parents have said, he was a kind and gentle man, exactly like he seemed on the show.
I do know that he took no salary for doing the show. He was from a very well-to-do family and had a huge house with two grand pianos in the living room.
George Carver Washington
Susan B. Anthony
Gene Roddenberry
Here, here to Gene Roddenberry and add Wayne Gretsky.
George Lucas
That's right, Randy!
I'd add Ron Howard, Bill Bryson, and Ryan Seacrest.
Bernard Rimland-research psychologist and father of an autistic child who did more to advance the study and understanding of autism than anyone else. He died just a few months ago and it is a huge loss for the autism community. The man was relentless.
Fred Rogers was a sniper in Vietnam!
That's just an urban myth, but it would have been cool if it were true.
Please add:
Dustin Diamond
Joe Franklin
Bob Vila
Anson Williams
Thanks.
Amy- Liono sounds Spanish to me.
Grant- No problem.
Cherry- Yes, Maude does deserve our love.
Vikki- Not a big fan of his music, but he's got political sense, so OK.
Megan- You know I like lists. Analysis is too much work.
Jen- Sure, and Barney Gumbel.
Randy- Yeah, I'm dead serious about Mr. Rogers. I saw a doc about him and watched him growing up. Sure, he was dorky, but in a really nice way.
Lulu- How cool!
Elizabeth- I think it's Washington Carver. Not to nitpick or anything. Good ones.
Kristi- Is Gretzky american? Maybe he is now, I suppose.
Val- Only if he disavows parts 1, 2, & 3.
Flann- Seacrest!? Out!
Ten S- Good one!
Frank- Potsie? Seriously?
Thank you for correcting me. My apologies to Mr. Carver's descendants. I can't imagine life without peanut butter.
Since I'm here, I would also like to add Jimi Hendrix, Billie Jean King and Jim Henson.
I would ask you to add me but I'm not American. But if Gretzky makes the list, why oh why can't I?
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