Green Richland: Tonya

Do you remember when Charles Barkley (pro basketball player) uttered those memorable words in a Nike commercial — I am not a role model.   (I am not a role model — Nike Commercial) At the time I thought that was pretty ridiculous. Here was this public persona of course people were going look up to him — kids, teenagers, grown men — uh, yes you are a role model.

Now I realize what he’s saying. I have to tell you I am not a role model. Sometimes I feel as though I have unwittingly became the poster child for DART, going green, and saving money. Are you kidding?

I became aware of the green lifestyle when I was an undergrad at Brown University. My classmates could be extreme. There was a dorm called Hope College. The students chose not to flush the toilet unless.. um.. there was a number 2 in it. No, I didn’t live there — I thought they were a bit strange.

I willingly admit I would have happily stayed in nongreen anonymity had I not crashed into the Ford F-150. Alas, I did and here I am. Don’t look to me to provide you with all green news all the time. I’m very much a consumptive American. Though lately, I’ve noticed that I am dialing back my need to own and purchase “things”. I think more about the quality of my life, not the quantity.

That being said please don’t look to me as a role model. I make anti-green mistakes constantly. I am simply one woman trying to do the best she can in a complicated world.

Are you a role model?

Filed under: Musings on July 6th, 2008