Spencer's page A2 Part 1

## Role Models

### Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay is a celebrity chef and entrepreneur. He has overcome adversity throughout his life to become one of the most successful chefs in the world, with a total of 16 Michelin stars to his name.

Gordon Ramsay was born on November 8th 1966 into a rough family. His brother was a heroin addict and his father a violent alcoholic. Despite these conditions he managed to work his way up in the football/soccer world and land a stint with the Glasgow Rangers, one of the legendary Scottish football teams and his boyhood club. His time with the Rangers was short lived however, as a knee injury ended his career before it really started.

Because of his shortcoming in the football world and the turbulent environment at home, Ramsay was unsure what to do. By almost complete accident, he took up cooking. He attended catering school and then when to work under numerous chefs. He soon moved to France and quickly ascended in the cooking world. In 1997, he won his first 2 Michelin stars as a head chef and soon opened his first restaurant in London.

Today, Gordon Ramsay is worth an estimated $54 million. His restaurant empire stretches around the globe, with restaurants from Las Vegas, to Paris, Dubai, and even as far east as Hong Kong and Singapore.

He also has a massive media empire. Ramsay is the star of several hit shows and one of the most famous and recognizable 'celebrity chefs' in the world. His shows include *Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Hotel Hell, The F Word,* and *Master Chef* not to mention countless stints and appearances on other shows. On television, he is known for his short temper, frequent use of expletives and blunt witty comments.

Gordon Ramsay's achievements and endeavors go beyond the kitchen and television as well. He has used his fame and wealth to start the Gordon and Tana Ramsay foundation, to help fund a sick children's hospital. He also is the recipient of an OBE (Order of the British Empire), is an avid athlete and has a family.

Gordon Ramsay is an inspiration and role model because of his incredible work ethic and determination. His high standards and thick skin have helped him succeed in the most cutthroat of industries. Despite his toughness and harshness, Ramsay is remarkably just as driven to make others succeed. Combined with his turbulent upbringing and difficult family life, Ramsay's success story is truly inspirational. Not only is it inspirational, but the story does not begin and end with Ramsay. His leadership can be attributed to the success of countless chefs and others that have been inspired by his work or touched by his mentorship. Gordon Ramsay's passion, drive, leadership and care for others makes him a true inspiration.

### Action Bronson

Action Bronson not necessarily a role model in the traditional sense. He is the son of an immigrant Albanian Muslim father and a American Jewish mother, born in Flushing Queens New York. In his early life, he was a chef at the family restaurant. Later, he attended culinary school and worked at a number of restaurants until breaking his leg in the kitchen.

After this incident, he decided to focus his career on rapping. Action Bronson released his first mixtape in 2007. His career really took off after the release of his debut album, *Dr. Lecter* in 2011. In 2012 he was signed by Paul Rosenberg, who had also signed rappers Eminem and Xzibit under the same label.

In 2014, Action Bronson began an online web series with Vice News, called *Fuck That's Delicious*. He has followed this with *The Untitled Action Bronson Show*, also hosted on Vice. It is on these shows where his true self comes through. Where most role models are inspirational due to their success, or the difference they made in the world, Action Bronson shows viewers how to enjoy, live life and be happy.

Action Bronson is a 300 pound, thick bearded, drinking, smoking, swearing and life loving human being. The way he embraces life, music, food and drink on his shows is truly inspiring. He lives every moment like it's his last, enjoying, savoring and loving every sight, sound, taste and feeling. Where many food shows talk about the complexity of this, and the depth of that, or how food connects to culture, Action Bronson doesn't necessarily talk about those. Instead, he travels the world one experience, one bite at a time. His experiences bring together people of different races, cultural backgrounds, as he eats everything from truffles to street food. Through the enjoyment of food and music around the world, Action addresses some of these issues through indulging in experiences.

Through Action Bronson, the audience learns that despite our differences, fundamentally we are the same. Despite cultural and language barriers, the way Bronson is able to enjoy life, laugh, and share moments with people around the world through music and food is touching.

In a time of radicalized political movements, global warming, and nuclear threats, Action Bronson reminds viewers and followers to enjoy life. That in itself, is enough inspiration for me.

### Barack Obama

Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States, and notably the first African-American one. His genius use of social media, running on the slogan of *Yes We Can* and incredible communication skills are major factors of Obama winning the presidency.

Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961 and spent most of his childhood living in the Island state. Obama later attended Columbia University to study Political Science, and then Harvard University to attend Law School. He then went on to become a civil rights attorney with a Chicago law firm.

In 1997, Obama made his first major inroads into politics, being elected to the Illinois senate. In 2004, Obama was elected into the US senate, and in 2008 the presidency of the United States. Some of his major achievements during his presidency include killing Osama Bin Laden, introducing public healthcare in the United States, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for diplomacy and ending the war in Iraq.

Obama is an incredible role model to millions around the world. His election to the presidency was celebrated globally and his actions in and outside of the office of the presidency are one of a truly great leader. As a leader, a visionary, a father and a husband, Obama has truly set an incredible example to people around the world.

On a personal note, one of the most inspirational moments in my life was watching the 2008 inauguration speech. At the time, I was in the third grade and my parents allowed me to skip class to watch the speech on TV. It has been one of my own personal most inspirational moments. To see a black man, despite the history of segregation, slavery and continued racism ascend to the presidency was extremely moving.

Being a black president alone is quite the achievement, especially given all the racial tension we see today. However, Obama proved he is much more than that. His incredible speeches and diplomacy made the world a more stable place during his tenure in the white house office.For example, during his presidency he signed the Iran Nuclear Deal, and pulled out of Iraq.

His steady, stable, clear leadership is sorely being missed by today's world. His leadership and story is an inspiration for all, and his presidency surely will be celebrated.

## Who would you interview? Why?

If I were to interview one person, it would be Martin Luther King.

Martin Luther King was the leader of the civil rights movement of the 60s. If it were not for his actions and leadership, the world would not be the same place it is today. His non-violent protest methods and speeches have left a lasting impression on our modern society.

Martin Luther King was the youngest winner of a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35. His march on Washington brought around 300,000 people out to protest civil and economic rights for African Americans. His "I have a dream" speech is still played in classrooms around the world. Even though his life was cut by assassination in 1968, his legacy continues to this day.

If I could have the opportunity to interview anyone, it would be him. I already have an idea of some of the questions I would ask Mr. King. In a time before the internet and widespread telecommunications, how was he able to create such a following? What inspired him to take action to create change? Lastly, how did he find the courage to do what he did in a much whiter, more conservative close-minded openly racist America?

Martin Luther King's actions changed the world. An opportunity to interview him would be a personal dream of mine come true.

## Works Cited

Calhoun, Lisa. “5 Leadership Lessons from Obama.” *Inc.com*, Inc., www.inc.com/lisa-calhoun/5-leadership-lessons-from-obama.html.

Features, Vidette. “Top 5 Martin Luther King Jr. Achievements.” *Videtteonline.com*, 13 Jan. 2016, www.videtteonline.com/features/top-martin-luther-king-jr-achievements/article\_2f242ca3-0e63-5da4-b6ed-ba62c50a12ab.html.

“Gordon & Tana Ramsay Foundation.” *Gordon Ramsay.com*, www.gordonramsay.com/gr/about-gordon/gordon-and-tana-ramsay-foundation/.

History.com Staff. “March on Washington.” *History.com*, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington.

Petrusich, Amanda. “Action Bronson's Expansive Appetites.” *The New Yorker*, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2017, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/30/action-bronsons-expansive-appetites.

“Science: You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish.” *Time*, Time, time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/.