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About the Author
Annalia is a nursing student who has a passion for kids, coffee, and makeup. She loves meeting new people and exploring this thing we call life. Her current goal is to not kill her cactus named Pricks.
The Young Leader

Kylie Jenner Is A Role Model Whether She Likes It Or Not

By Annalia Mefford

Back in 2012 when I graduated high school our class song was Young, Wild, and Free by Snoop Dog and Wiz Khalifa.

For those of you who live under a rock, the song talks about smoking weed, drinking and living freely.

The artists in the song don’t really care what others say about their actions or lifestyle.

Recently Kylie Jenner posted a picture on Instagram of her smoking weed.

She is definitely living the carefree easy going life.

I really do not care if you post a picture of you drinking but drugs are another story.

“Come one it is one picture” you may say but if I posted one picture of me smoking weed my career as a nurse would be over before it even started.

Weed is still considered illegal and classified as a scheduled I drug by the DEA.

Let me go ahead and put this out there, I fully support cannabis in a medical setting to help people who really need it.

For example, that video on YouTube where the older gentleman has Parkinson’s disease but his tremors go away once he takes cannabis.

On other circumstances I am not totally against it but if you are going to blaze it up maybe don’t post it on Instagram.

My main concern with her post is young girls look up to her as a role model and as a kid we are taught not to do drugs…see where I am going on this?

I wish she would post images of her creating something new for Kylie cosmetics, videos of her cooking (I’ve heard she is a good cook), or her showing girls how to be successful.

I am sure Kylie Jenner is aware of the damage is done when you smoke weed but just in case she doesn’t, let me explain.

Have you ever heard of lung cancer?

Brain cells dying?

Infertility?

Also it can predispose people to schizophrenia.

I don’t know about you but I’ll pass.

Lastly, I will close with this final statement.

It is her life and she may do whatever she pleases but she is a role model to millions whether she likes it or not.

RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.

Cover Photo Credit: Kylie Jenner/ Instagram
Politics The Young Leader

Celebrities Need To Shut Up About Politics

By Annalia Mefford

In the world today more and more well known people believe that their opinion matters, especially when it comes to politics.

It is like people who have never studied an ounce of political science seem to think they are well equipped to give a political statement.

And maybe they are right.

It is a democracy after all and we all have a part to play.

Sure, we are all entitled to our own opinions and yes, we have the freedom of speech to say what we want but here is who should refrain from doing this, celebrities.

By definition, a celebrity is someone who is famous for talents, wealth, or family name.

Now on the contrast a politician is a person who is experienced in the arts or science of government according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Let me break it down to a deeper level.

Most politicians in public life today does 4 years of undergraduate work, a 2-year master degree or even law school, and lastly either paid or unpaid internships.

That is over 6 years studying politics and what goes into understanding politics and therefore are well prepared to give political statements.

A celebrity may or may have not attended an art school or received a degree like journalism, psychology, education, or history.

The main difference that sets a celebrity aside is politicians are actively practicing politics.

They don’t just do it on the side, politics is what consumes them.

I love celebrities and I love their talents.

I’m envious of their carefree lifestyle, but I do not believe they are properly trained in politics enough to give such a public statement that people should actually care about.

Mark Wahlberg had some thoughts on this topic that I valued because they have truth behind them.

Back in December of 2016 he was interviewed by Task and Purpose magazine on this very topic and here is his response:

“A lot of celebrities, did, do and shouldn’t [give their political opinions],” he later goes on to say, “They might buy your CD or watch your movie but you don’t put food on their table. You don’t pay their bills. A lot of Hollywood is living in a bubble. They’re pretty out of touch with the common person, the everyday guy out there providing for their family.”

I value this because the issues you and I may face on a day to day basis are drastically different than a celebrity.

What may be important to a celebrity is probably not what is important to the everyday American.

While I love hearing what skin care products celebrities use and value some of those statements I just don’t find it appealing when they give an open and public political statement.

It is nothing against the celebrity, it is the simple fact that they are not all qualified.

Just like I am not a qualified brain surgeon, they are not a politician.

If they want to be then they should jump into the ring and run for office.

RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.

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