By Erin Leach |Staff Writer|
Social media blew up with comments and concerns for one of the greatest players basketball has been blessed with. Many were devastated when Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was injured this past week.
Some may say tweets from fans like “Pray for Kobe” seemed like an obsession gone wild from an overzealous, over invested fan pool, but inspirational figures like Kobe provide something positive in the lives of a generation that has been deemed to be economically and socially troubled in the coming years.
I would argue that an obsession with Kobe or his counterparts doesn’t necessarily mean a disinvestment in those other areas. NBA players and Hollywood stars can provide students with motivation to continue to push through obstacles and be the best.
“He’s a superhero for grown ups,” said student Christian Martinez.
Every college student needs inspiration from something. The college years are some of the most unsteady and unnerving years of our lives. These years are when we dare to dream.
To have role models that make those dreams look attainable is an important piece of the process.
It may seem like another unfortunate consequence of Generation Y and our common disinvestment in global politics, the government, and deep thinking, as the stereotype suggests.
Older enerations criticize the millennia for not paying attention, but maybe they need to realize that we need inspiration, especially when the global outlook is bleak.
“I read this quote by Kobe once, that said, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether its sitting on the bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game winning shot,’ his outlook inspires me because it shows that Kobe will do whatever it takes to win and I apply that to my life and will do anything it takes to be successful, not matter how small or mundane the task will be,” said student Anthony Ochoa.
It is integral to the growth process to have the drive to succeed and people like Kobe can provide the basis for that drive.
Bryant once said, “What I’m doing right now, is chasing perfection, and if I don’t get it I’m gonna get this close.”
Student Aaron Jimenez said, “that’s what I’m trying to do, chase perfection. Kobe always tries to prove people wrong and that’s what I love about him. He’s keeping track of the people that doubt him and he never lacks motivation, that’s what I admire.”
While some may see those whom constantly check stats and scores as people who waste their time, I view it as grasping inspiration that is desperately needed for myself and my college peers.
Just because the source of people’s motivation isn’t rooted in politicians, geniuses, or philosophical leaders, doesn’t mean that it isn’t real or it should be deemed useless.
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