What's the most unique role model you've heard that was a green flag?

ericbomb@lemmy.world to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.world – 65 points –

I know that like Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross, and Sam from LoTR are all considered green flags if they are considered role models.

But are there any unique role models you have or have seen others have that you consider a green flag?

54

I've never thought in terms of "green flag" but really like that concept.

I'm going to go with Levar Burton. Reading Rainbow ran for like 35 years and encouraged millions of children to read.

It's not really here or there, but when I was a young child, I saw Star Trek: The Next Generation before Reading Rainbow, so my parents had to explain how actors worked when I was baffled how the blind man was teaching me how to read.

I did love Reading Rainbow, though, and still read regularly, probably in part thanks to Levar Burton.

That's a great story! I was...maybe...11...when STTNG came out, so I had already seen RR prior. I was super excited to see an actor I knew appear on the show.

Oh that's a great one!

He's still doing stuff trying to get more books and reading to children.

So he's a wonderful answer.

Thinking of star trek would gene Rodenberry's philosophy be considered a green flag

I personally think it is

Morticia and Gomez Addams.

They're unapologetically weird, fiercely in love with each other, they support and love their children unconditionally, they're brutally honest with each other, including openly showing affection without giving a damn about what others may think of them. They're one of the best (fictional) examples of caring parents and lovers, and I will die on that hill.

Anjelica Houston and Raul Julia.

There will never be a more iconic Morticia and Gomez.

They are my absolute relationship goal. I want to find a partner that embraces my weird and loves it whole hearted and unashamedly, and I theirs.

Sadly, as I get older, I realize its never gonna happen.

2 more...

Nick Offerman.

Many know him as Ron Swanson from Parks & Rec, but that's a character. He's a dynamic actor, a hilarious comic, eloquent author, and an outstanding woodworker. I like his honesty and pragmaticism. I enjoy the way he brings his characters to life. His writing transports me in my mind. His woodworking is inspiring to me. His comedy makes me feel seen in this human experiment. I love his laugh; he clearly likes to be goofy, much like myself. He came through my town on his American Ham comedy tour and that's when I got a real feel for who he is as a person. He loves his wife enthusiastically. He's a connoisseur, whether it's words, whisk(e)y, wood, what-have-you. He's inclusive; understanding that we're all just individuals living our lives and wanting to do our best. You'll find a wide swath of genders working and managing his woodshop which means a lot to me as a woodworker because it's often a male dominated industry. I'm white, cis, male, and shoot, even southern (Appalachian) American, but I staunchly believe in accessibility and inclusiveness. The more I learn about Nick, the more I like the guy, and I've learned a good deal about him. I've had this dream for a while about reaching out to see if he'd want to go paddling with me down the oldest river in North America which starts in my area, but I'm just some guy, and he's probably pretty busy.

Why not contact him anyway? The worst that can happen is that he says no. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, as they say...

Weird Al Yankovic. He's been making comedic music for decades with no scandals or anything and he is a genuinely nice person.

2 more...

My boyfriend said he sees David Byrne as a role model.

A clearly anxious man who finds it within him to love freely while being his own goofy self and speaking his mind.

I found that really appealing and now we dance along while singing his songs in the living room.

He also is the founder of some non profits!

So he's a really good one.

Keanu

Serially accused of extremely appropriate behavior

Do you have any examples? I ask not to be confrontational, but instead because I have read nothing but kind things about him. Thank you!

Appropriate behavior. It's a Keanu meme because he's not been accused of a bunch of shit, like way too many high profile actors have.

(Or if this is some other joke, I don't get it. )

Or I am just an idiot and cannot read. Let's go with that, since it is the truth. Thank you for the kind correction!

There's no apostrophe in Mr. Rogers. Rogers is his name. It's not possessive.

I don't have an answer to your question, but it reminds me of Jim Varney (actor who played Ernest in the Ernest movies). He was a smoker, but was careful to not be photographed smoking, so any kids who looked up to him wouldn't consequently think smoking was cool.

Carl Sagan was already mentioned, he’s def a favorite of mine. I’d also add Matt Mercer, everything I’ve seen of him makes it seems like he’s just a wonderful person all around.

I mean I didn't wanna out myself as a giant critter...

But it appears he has built a large and successful business with his friends while being fiercely protective of them while being welcoming and accepting to everyone.

So yeah I think he's a food role model.

So yeah I think he's a food role model.

I love their new ramen show, Critical Bowl

Carl Sagan is like the Mr. Rogers of science.

I'm also a big fan of Richard Feynman--joy and curiosity in equal measure.

Richard Feynman is wonderful. I accidentally watched a 25 minute talk of his once that I started just to learn what his voice sounded like.

If you've never watched Fun to Imagine, check it out sometime. It's just an hour of him sitting in a chair answering questions/sharing his thoughts and I wish there were hours more like it. It's so great.

Steve Irwin - definitely one of the most iconic people from my childhood. The respect and awe he showed towards animals was so inspiring to me, and definitely was my biggest role model when it comes to the way we should treat non-human animals.

Watching someone fuck something up, research, a video game, a car repair, that costs them a lot of time and took a ton of effort, then just laughing and going with the after math. It tells a lot about your character when something doesn't go your way.

Andrew Camerata on YouTube, after his runaway crane fell off a cliff: "It's fine, it just needs to be, y'know, not upside down"

Anyone that takes time to do the little things that make us civilised: picking up someone else’s trash, putting away someone else’s shopping cart, etc. Just shows they give a fuck

Killer Mike. He a real one.

Charles Barkley as well.

I just went to RTJX in Atlanta and had the time of my life. It was awesome to hear Mike and El telling stories between songs.

I'm beyond jelly at that. I'd love to see them live one day. I saw El way back in the day with Aesop.

Mr Dress-up, aka Ernie Coombs, in the same vein as Mr Rodgers. A national treasure in Canada who was the best role model for kids. They just released a fantastic documentary on him recently on Amazon I think

This doesn't really answer the question, but sometimes it's not so much who the role model is but what action they want to model.

Maybe it was wanting to get better at controlling emotions, being great at communicating during a breakup, or a general attitude towards problems that come up.

When I see someone admire / want to emulate the good actions of others, that's a green flag.

A lot of the guys from Wu Tang Clan seem to be pretty chill.

Jack Black. Inspires people to do what they love. Really knows how to gave fun and doesn't care if people think it's weird. And despite a lot of banal poop, penis, sex humour in the Tenacious D songs, they changed some lyrics in live shows to swap genders. Great example of nonchelant emancipation and equality.

You wanted unique, so, Marilyn Manson.

I always hated his music, the style and those of his listeners...then I heard the dude talk in Bowling for Columbine and he is so eloquent, logical and reasonable and informed on issues where people constantly try to misframe him I immediately gained enormous respect for him (still dislike his music and style) and everything I've ever heard him say since has been the same.

Didn't he abuse the shit out of a bunch of his girlfriends? One of the actors from that show "True Blood" was one of them... I think.

Damn, just read the rolling stone investigation...well wow if even some of those things are true that's gross.

Sadly, he's had a lot of allegations of abuse from former partners and other women made against him, including rape

Regardless, you're right about BFC. Everything he said was spot on.