Surviving a private, liberal arts college and obtaining a masters degree in humanities while holding onto pop culture is a sash I proudly wear. I vividly remember Dr. Johnston’s sociology course with some of my college’s famed NPR-listening, Birkenstockwearing, academic purists who scoffed at Britney Spears and rolled their eyes at anything pop culture.

When I compared Ani DiFranco as a liberal Britney Spears, they about served my head on a platter to Dr. Johnston and I—well, I learned to keep my pop culture fascination at bay. I learned that if I wanted to be taken seriously as an academic, I had to listen to jazz music, read the works of tortured souls, and drink organic, non-forested coffee at midnight.

Several years have passed and the greatest learning I’ve cultured is the confidence to embrace the value of indie artists while maintaining a respect for pop icons.

So excuse me and my soapbox for a hot minute. 🙂 As a God-fearing, Jesus-loving woman, I’m stunned at the backlash of highbrow elitist who scoff the new documentary about the life of Justin Bieber, pop icon and music artist. Whether you listen to Casting Crowns, Florence + The Machine, or Justin Bieber, there is a beauty in interrelating the value [and necessity] of each genre.

Chortle if you will but Bieber is a phenomenon, an eerily awesome combination of grace, will, talent and open heartedness; a country boy now swaying armies of young girls around the world, who headlined and sold out the fabled Madison Square Garden at the tender age of 16.

We speak about influence, power, and determination of a business CEO and applaud. But we easily negate the strategy of social media, musical talent, dedication, and charm of a teen who had a fairytale-esque meteoric rise to fame.

Bieber is the undisputed social media star of all time.  He has 4.5 million Twitter followers and conscientiously utilizes media to engage with those who love him. The point is raised that it took N*Sync and Backstreet Boys years to make it; it literally took Bieber months because of his—and his fans use of social media. You think The Beatles set the pace? This country boy’s way out in front.

So why is my Twitter feed and facebook homepage wrangled with people who insist on erudite quotes from brilliant dead theologians and superfluous thoughts of religion, life, or church? Though I value and see the necessity of revering our past, it is crucial for our next generation of leaders to be in the present; in the now; in posture of learning. Even if it is from the life of a 16 year-old popstar.

I’m open for discussion or debate. These thoughts are malleable and I would love to discuss your thoughts… even if you’re in Birkenstocks and listening to Tori Amos in the background.

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