As stated in my first column, I have a clamorous mind. That was not a typo. I did not mean glamorous, there is nothing glamorous about my life.
My mind is loud and often finds connections between things most people would not follow. So, if you’re still reading my columns, know that I appreciate you keeping up with my sometimes “illogical” train of thought.
I also thank you for giving me an excuse to write about people like John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Megan Fox. Despite the three being from different eras, backgrounds, and fields, Kennedy, Monroe, and Fox have similarities. They are known for their charismatic personalities, sense of style and good looks, enjoying seafood and poetry, and being under intense public scrutiny.
Eighteen years before John F. Kennedy was under public scrutiny, he was a Lieutenant in the U.S Navy. In August 1943, JFK was the commander of a warship during a pitch-black night in the Solomon Islands. This was when the opposing Japanese warship crashed into the Navy Ship, ultimately causing it to sink. Kennedy and his surviving crew swam for miles to a deserted island. Kennedy himself towed a wounded crewmate to safety by gripping the man’s life jacket…with HIS TEETH, while SWIMMING. FOR. MILES. IN. THE. OPEN. OCEAN.
Are we all paying attention now? Okay, Good. Kennedy later swam to another island, again miles away, and created a makeshift distress message from a coconut shell. Natives found the coconut and delivered it to the Allied forces. This ultimately led to the rescue of Kennedy and his crew.
There is more to this story, but this is the gist of it. I cannot imagine a man on earth going through this amazing tale and not using it to pick up chicks. While Kennedy was a handsome man for his time, there is no doubt in my mind that the great man saddled up to the ladies with that story in his back pocket.
It is common knowledge that Kennedy was a bit of a pretty boy womanizer, along with being a war hero and president. Marilyn Monroe was said to have taken up a lot of the President’s time. If you ask me, he probably told her his war story.
Monroe was known mostly for her beauty. It was not until after she had met her own untimely demise that it became apparent she was intelligent as well as beautiful. Monroe was a bookworm and poet, too. Shocker, right?
Recently another beautiful Hollywood actress, Megan Fox, published her original works of poetry. The book is titled, “Pretty Boys Are Poisonous”. I am probably late for the party, but I started reading it and I am impressed by the creativity and content. Fox is a creative, intelligent person. As a woman, it should not come as a surprise to me that popular culture would portray Fox as similar to Monroe.
I read recently that Kennedy said to his buddy Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, “How is it with you, Harold? If I don't have a woman, I get terrible headaches.” They wrote to each other often, gossiping, talking about their wives, and other.. regular things.
In a recent interview, Fox stated she was not the popular girl in high school and that she was kind of an ugly duckling in middle school. She said she is currently reading the popular “Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.
How are these pretty people connected? They’re often represented in a single light within the public spotlight. But when we dig deeper, we find interesting circumstances that show more.
Kennedy: War hero, overall ‘good’ President, and kind of a ladies' man.
Monroe: Beautiful, intelligent, kind of good singer, and a little damaged.
Fox: Intelligent, creative, kind of spiritual, and falls prey to trashy, popular books.
I considered how prominent figures in communities are often stripped of their individuality. They become known for one trait and it is often hard to erase that.
When we talk about figures in our own community, are we considering they are not only local public figures, politicians, or whatever title they hold but…actual human beings? They have lives outside of their public personas. They’re more than their past, title, political party affiliation, or who they surround themselves with.
When we approach others with kindness and openness, and when we broaden our perspectives beyond our worldview or single trait considerations, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of individuals.
Just like John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Megan Fox, each person carries a multitude of layers beyond their public personas. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of humanity, we can appreciate the uniqueness and inherent goodness within each individual. If we can do this, we could be happier.
Amanda Rink is the Editor of The Wright County Monitor. When she isn’t caring for her family, writing for the newspaper, or avoiding laundry, she can be found hiding in the woods with a cup of coffee and a romance novel.
