A New Mount Rushmore

 When prompted to create a new Mount Rushmore, I immediately knew what five faces I'd use:

1. Dwayne Johnson: He really is the voice of a generation. His rise from humble beginnings to a successful athletic and acting career is inspiring. He embodies the growth and resilience that our nation needs.

2. Steve Irwin: His legacy still serves to inspire the people of today. We can learn a thing or two from his passion for wildlife conservation and dedication to educating the world. Him and his approach to environmentalism is something that needs to be memorialized.

3. Ryan Reynolds: His charming humor and philanthropic efforts stand the test of time and will continue to if he's immortalized. His actions serve to connect people, and I think that's worthy of a spot on my ideal Mount Rushmore.

4. Harrison Ford: If there's one thing that really represents the US, it's Hollywood. When I think movies, I think of Harrison Ford. His career has spanned decades, and he's left a ginormous mark on the film industry. From a pop culture perspective, he represents the evolution of film and that's something that should be recognized.

5. Chadwick Boseman: He's a cultural icon. His portrayal of characters- both fictional and non-fictional- inspired a lot of young black Americans, and that's something we need to recognize in times like this.

OLD v. NEW: What's the difference?

The original Mount Rushmore's main focus is on political leaders whereas my new one includes a wide array of entertainers, athletes, and activists. I think this really emphasizes how much our values have changed as a society, especially in regard to our values. I haven't gotten the chance to look at my peers' concepts yet, but I' sure that if I did, a decent majority of them would feature a much greater representation of race and global influence like mine. I feel like this really highlights the shift to modern values like inclusivity and multiculturalism, as opposed to the politically centered ideas of 100+ years ago. At the end of the day, however, both mountains feature a strong set of figures who have had a profound impact on our country and whose lives and ideas deserve to live on in some way, shape, or form. That's what should be learned from the idea of "Mount Rushmore".