Think about Mr. T for a minute. A-Team, mohawk, gold chains, massive muscles, and of course, "I pity the fool." Remembering Mr. T as an 80's pop culture relic, it's too easy to reduce him to a one-dimensional tough guy. But think again. What about his song, "Mr. T's Commandment," telling kids to treat their parents with more respect? The "Different Strokes" guest appearance? And there must be a reason my T-shirt (pictured above, only you can't see it too well) pictures him with cute kittens. Then my friend Jon got me the very special out-of-print first edition of Mr. T: The Man with the Gold, an Autobiography by Mr. T.
Instead of answers, I just got more contradictions. It's quite an honest book, Mr. T telling his story and sharing his views in a straightforward, no-nonsense, and unapologetic manner.
"Bodyguarding was a way of life for me. I slept it, I ate it, and I drank it. What separated me (the best bodyguard in the business) from the rest? I knew what I was doing and no one did it better... no one. If it sounds like I'm blowing my own horn or patting myself on the back... I am. If I'm not for myself, then who will be for me? If it's sounds like I'm cocky or conceited, it's because I am."But while he can go on and on in minute detail about beating people up, he'll then turn around and talk about visiting handicapped kids:
"It was so hard for me to hold back the tears because I didn't want to leave and the children didn't want to see me go. I didn't want the children to see me crying; they might not have understood. Once outside, the school, I couldn't hold it any longer, so I broke down and cried. God knows those children are so special to me and I love them all so very much. But that's another story, a special one at that!"Underneath the ass-kicking exterior, Mr. T is a pretty old-fashioned guy, speaking at length about his faith in God, or how much he loves his mom, or the values of hard work.
I was watching TV sometime last season when I saw a commercial for "Suddenly Susan," which I didn't normally watch, but Mr. T resurfacing?! I had to sit and watch. Unfortunately, his appearance on the show was no longer than his appearance on the commercial for the show. Then I heard he was on again later that season, but like I said, "Suddenly Susan" isn't something I normally watch, and I had already missed it. But I guess that a little Mr. T is better than no Mr. T at all. Because Mr. T rocks!!!!
Bring on more nuttiness! Back to Anti-Stodge.
My head hurts. Bring me back to Stodge.