Don't Judge a Book

Before you begin reading, I think it’s only fair to warn you that I’m going to be gushing about our new American Idol, Kris Allen. If you’ve grown tired of reading what seems like endless articles dissecting the season, I’ll let you know now that I won’t attempt to repeat what other “real” media are going on about. If you still think the whole topic is completely banal, I won’t be offended if you end your reading now…

OK, for those who have chosen to go down my path of crazy, I totally heart Kris Allen! I just read another article about him in Entertainment Weekly and while some may think he’s blah, I think he’s amazing. In the article, he comments on the media making the finale a culture war between the “edgy, androgynous Lambert” and Kris, the “wholesome, Christian Allen.” To this brouhaha he said, “It’s frustrating that the world is still like that. Like, get over it. Adam and I are great, great friends. Our relationship is, hopefully, an inspiration to people: No matter who you are, you can get along with anyone.”

Could Kris Allen’s brand of openness and acceptance be the formula for peace in the Middle East? No, probably not. but it certainly makes me think of times in my life when someone who has presented themselves in an outer package that I might not understand has surprised and delighted me. I was in high school in the 80’s and when I first started seeing girls and boys wearing thick eye liner, black nail polish, chains and studs and spiky hair, I have to admit that I met the trend with a mix of suspicion and fear. Were these kids subversive? Would they be kids that would be nice to me in biology class if I was assigned to them as a lab partner? Does that nose piercing hurt? Are they really all depressed and do they really spend hours listening to Morrissey on repeat?

I befriended a few of the “mods” through various classes throughout my time in high school and they turned out to be some of the coolest people at my school. I graduated thinking that these would be the photographers, costume designers, fine artists, wardrobe stylists and style arbiters of tomorrow and was ultimately envious that I might never be as cool. I hope my kids can take a cue from “Our Kris” and hopefully from their mom and live their life never judging a book by its cover. Who knew there would be so many teachable moments from one season of American Idol?