Please Don't Interview Paris Hilton — Jun 28th 2007
When I was growing up, my hero was my mother. She came to this country from Peru at age 22 with little money and speaking no English. She had arrived in the summer, with two friends, to work and have an experience abroad. But when the end of the summer came, instead of packing up with her friends, my mother decided to stay. Truly, she'd known she was going to stay before she even left Peru.

She made a good life here, taught herself English, and worked hard. She agreed with my father that all their efforts should benefit the children, and so my brother and I had a great time growing up. We traveled all over Europe before I was 10, had season theatre tickets throughout our childhood, and ate probably better than anyone in this country ever has who didn't have a professional chef as a parent.
Mom read poetry, did batik with neighbors, knitted me some six dozen sweaters, fixed the plumbing, and screamed at the TV during the Super Bowl. You've never really experienced American football until you've heard a woman with a Spanish accent screaming for everyone to please stop hitting Lynn Swan.
Two years ago Mom died of cancer. A pain in her leg metastasized quickly and took her life only two months after she was diagnosed. Her recipes and her wild garden are her legacy, along with my brother and me. And in a similar way, this country of ours is the legacy of all those who broke their backs for an idea. Let's please not tarnish that idea by devoting any time to the pathetic story of someone we know only because her father is rich.
Instead, let's turn our attention to the men and women of the armed forces, and to their families, who face daily stresses most of us cannot even imagine. Or to those who make up the working poor--people who struggle in multiple low-paying jobs and live in cramped housing just to get by. Let's focus on teachers, who shape the future of our country every day. Let's focus on what matters and leave what doesn't to fade away like beer stains on Royal Street after a Mardi Gras parade.
Tags: education, immigration, military, poverty, soldiers, teachers, united states
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ed — 2:44PM on Jun 28th 2007
1. Outstanding article. I hope this gets picked up by other web sites for many more to read.
The fabric of the country once was people comming over with little to nothing but skills and the cloths on their backs then building on that once they arrived. Skills do not all of a sudden grow out of the ground. They are honed over the years after constant use and refinement.
This flourished and grew on that immigration basis for many generations with people who followed the means to enter this country. It doesn't matter if you build houses or help to clean them. You are providing a service for people that need it. As long as you are working you are contributing, you are helping your community to flourish.
francesca — 4:00PM on Jun 28th 2007
2. yes please stop writing about paris hilton, what coz she has a rich father
coz she parties almost every night whatever, to me she's a nobody, just someone who's smooching off her fathers riches, you know what i don't have respect for that type of person sorry just please stop all your time on her. she's not a story to me or someone else so if you can stop writing about paris hilton.
Wm J. Rountry — 4:35PM on Jun 28th 2007
3. She should "DO"!. Mandatory Time on a USO!Tour.
California "CAN NOT" be Belivieved{or TRUSTED}; That! She spent any Time in jail what So ever!.
Getting Drunk and Nearly Naked In the Desert or the Mountains, has got ta do something for "MORALE".
So Don't believe That she spent any time behind BARS, and Ship her EASTBOUND!
Luiz — 5:03PM on Jun 28th 2007
4. Yes, outstanding article, but shouldn't we blame the media for most of this soap opera? The first day Paris was let out of jail, I turned to CNN and noticed that they had their News Alert on all day long broadcasting the Paris soap...man, is happening to this world?
xenh20 — 6:02PM on Jun 28th 2007
5. This is an excellent article, damn that Paris Hilton and praise you Netscape for putting this at the top.
Jake — 6:28PM on Jun 28th 2007
6. Both of my grandfathers were immigrants. No government programs, no public assistance, no free medical and no special status (legal or otherwise) just hard work and a desire for a better life in America.
My mother's father servec 20-plus years in the Navy and his only son joined the army in WW2. Fortunately, they both survived the ordeal.
My paternal grandfather had four of his six sons in either the Navy or the Army during the war. Again, all survived.
My paternal grandfather would not allow Polish to be spoken in the house because "That is the old language. We're Americans now!"
My grandfathers exhibited the same drive and motivation that Alexia's did ... they wanted a better life for their children and ultimately ther grandchildren ...
My hat is off to Alexia's grandmother and I still have to admire anyone who wants to make America their home ... but I blieve they have to become Americans by dint of hard work and total allegiance to America.
American culture is a blend of social, economic and cultural infulences. The fabric of our society is woven from various ethnic threads. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with remembering your heritage. But when my grandfathers came "over" ... they did so to become part of the Land of the Free, not to get a free ride or force their Old World thinking on the vibrant land that welcomed those who legally sought a better life with the words:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Please note the yearning to "breathe free" ... no mention of handouts and special treatment. No promises of success. No illusions to a life of leisure and welfare ... just the promise to breath free and become more then they were. To be better off then they were. Free to build a new life in a new land...
My quarter's worth
kooltao — 10:42PM on Jun 28th 2007
7. A very motivating story. Anything more about Paris Hilton is really boring as Paris herself.
CHOOKIE — 4:11AM on Jun 29th 2007
8. There is more to Paris than meets the eye
CHOOKIE — 4:22AM on Jun 29th 2007
9. There is more to Paris than meets the eye
pd — 8:40PM on Jun 10th 2008
10. Great focus. Unfortunately, those who follow her story and other celebrity gossip have bought into the simple life. People like her impact society because so many have decided to focus on their routine personal lives. Meanwhile, those who shape history make steps and misteps daily, yet go unnoticed or get a quick blurb that flys right by.
scpron — 9:17AM on Jun 29th 2007
11. The news media should be ashamed for all the coverage that they give to people like Paris Hilton, Britney Spear ......
They have no moral character and fail as role models!
There was a time when children had dreams of being the president, chief of police, leaders and people of vision.
Those role models have been replaced by people who are derilicts. People who should be shunned for the undesirables that they are and not glorified. They are not heros and they not worth the air they use.
But it is all symptomatic of the low entertainment threashold of our time! When reality shows are the norm and good dramas are taken off the air (Studio Sixty as an example) for the trash the networks call programming we are then given the clips of Paris' release from jail where we view her walking out the gate like she is either a fashion model of Miss Universe taking her stroll down the runway!
It isn't news worthy and she will never make a positive difference in this world!
She is nothing more than a tramp with money!
Jay — 10:23AM on Jun 29th 2007
12. I loved the story, and I actually watched the Larry King interview and saw that she looked more sad (by sad I mean pathetic) and hungry for attention more than ever. It was crock about her wanting to help other battered women.. blah blah blah.. you know she is going to the club tonight and get drunk. but this time she'll have a cheffeur. Anyhoo, back to the story it was very moving and I hope it gets more public exposure!
Joan — 10:34AM on Jun 29th 2007
13. Paris is famous because people make her famous. I agree with the article but people have to stop blaming her for the way she is. She is that way because people make her that way. And whether she was Paris Hilton or not, any wealthy person could do exactly what she did, I've seen it happen. PLENTY of people her age live the same life as she does (partying and occasionaly getting a little reckless) only noone focuses on it because they are not "famous." GET OVER IT PEOPLE! People need to lay off of her, really your the pathetic ones.
osi — 10:42AM on Jun 29th 2007
14. I thinks Hilton is just a spoilt little rich girl. The medis should indeed focus on things that have meaning to the lives of people. I wonder why Americans should focus so much on her. She has nothing of value to say to anyone
elrose — 11:08AM on Jun 29th 2007
15. it is our depleted idea of what is important that the media parades these
news items up and down and back and forth instead of what is truly important and what is on everyone's mind. do they think that we are all
14 and dont have a thought on our mind.
Viet — 11:16AM on Jun 29th 2007
16. This country has been built and protected not by people as Paris.
The media has paid so much attention on someone unworthy.
pacerb1 — 11:31AM on Jun 29th 2007
17. Good story, often kids of rich parents don't live up to
expectations of their parnets. Often they think they can make their own rules and unually get off easy when they break rules. She paid for this
crime and that should be the end of the story.
SLUMSDEN — 12:23PM on Jun 29th 2007
18. People that have nothing better to do in their lives than to follow this "Poor Little Me" woman who has no idea how the real world really is.She has food,shelter,clothes(that does not even cover her body)the best health insurance.The families who have children starving even in the U.S (believe it) Check it out,would kiss the ground to have even the (widow's mite)of what she has. Just think of the good she could do if she had "salvation from God" instead of "religion" There is a difference.
JA — 12:29PM on Jun 29th 2007
19. Paris is one of the greatest leaders in America right now. She must have so much to say; the media can't get enough of her. We should offer her to the terrorists as our ambassador. They probably know her better than they know Condi Rice.
Brad Woodliff — 5:33PM on Jun 29th 2007
20. They will interview Paris and share the story. She has a story to tell. Due to many who are interested it will come, if not here, somewhere else. But, that is not my point. What is the point is we are all prone to mistakes rich or poor. IF we were rich and in the same position we would likely do what she does. Some might not, others maybe worse. However, we are so self righteous when others are making fools of themselves. I think Paris is, at heart, not as she presents herself. She is young, and I think will improve with time. She has a family that hasn't abandoned her. The family there is not perfect, nor is it the ideal. None are as to any family in America. We are raised in a wealthy environ, thus we view our world through that lens. We find it hard to identify to someone who has to fight to eat, sleep to exist. We are insulated from many truths that exix\st because we won't look and listen. When we do, it is to convert them to the American ideals which are not wrong, but we must work with people where they are. Even in this country we must seek to help and not condemn. Would we want to be condemned for a youthful failing when we were not as experienced and wise. No we wouldn't. Paris is being held to a standard because she is rich. Yes, she has not lived as many of us has. But, she still deserves to be judged as an individual who has mad a mistake. Being rich does not make lifes lessons easier or more palatable. Lesson come sooner or later. She has had a media shark fest. Most people who have a twisted view of the rich enjoy seeing the rich in that position. I am sorry she had to go throug the suffering of it. We would all have hated going through that. Yet, I do hope she uses it as most of us would, a lesson well learned. I heard her statement after her release, good job Paris. It was not a waste. You came out with good heart in it. IN that I applaud you.=-) Keep learning and growing, you and your family have many things yet to endure. But, I for one won't bash you because you're wealthy. In fact, I've have enough vices of my own to deal with and conquer. Keep looking up Paris, it gets worse, but it doesn't mean you have to give up and throw in the towel. You far to valuable a person to just throw away over some little thing. You have contributed some funny and entertaining things. Use you heart and mind to help others overcome the things you fight. You'll find a world of heart out there if you are willing to look, not at the other side, but all sides. Peace to you and your household. You have a good family heritage. It has skeletons as every family. Just work from the good you are and conquer the bad dragons seeking to consume you. Be-rad not Be-RAT.BW Alameda Ca.