Curiosity Experiment: Ditching Imitation in Favour of Originality (by Way of Admiration)

Here’s your weekly curiosity experiment:

Laverne Cox, who plays Sofia Burset on Orange is the New Black, is a powerful and charismatic advocate for trans women, and in particular trans women of colour. She has been persistent in slapping down stereotypes and shining light on the discrimination and obstacles trans women face, and has used the visibility afforded her as an actor in a popular TV show to raise public awareness of these issues.

She also refuses to be called a “role model.” Recently she told Katie Couric, “I would never be so arrogant to think that someone should model their lives after me, but the idea of possibility… the idea that I get to live my dreams out in public hopefully will show other folks that that is possible, and so I prefer the term ‘possibility model.'”

Where in your life would you prefer to be seen as a “possibility model” than a role model?

When you think about people you admire, and consider them through the lens of “possibility models” (rather than role models, heroes, gurus, etc.), what shifts for you?