“Cool, But Straight,” New Era, July 1977, 4
The Message:
“Cool, But Straight”
Is there a special fascination with evil these days? I suppose to some extent it has always been intriguing. But have you noticed that now people are going around and half-boasting, “Wow, you may not know it, but I’m a fairly evil person”? A young movie star recently came to the supposed defense of a popular actress who had built a reputation as a clean-cut, wholesome girl. He said, “You know, ___________ is really not the nice, sweet, wholesome, all-American girl everybody makes her out to be. Actually, she’s quite a gal!”
A few years ago I accompanied a group of Explorers from our stake on an excursion. We sat around talking about the subjects that interest young men, and soon the subject of girls came up. I asked, “What about ________? She seems to be a pretty sharp girl. She’s attractive, has a neat figure, and seems to have a good personality.” There was some shoulder-shrugging, and then one of them said, “Well, she’s … uh … well … uh … you know.” Another added, “She’s kinda straight.”
I asked these Aaronic Priesthood brethren just how straight they thought a Latter-day Saint girl should be to be popular. We also considered how straight they would want their sisters to be. What these young men finally said to me was, “We don’t expect a girl to lower her standards, but she should have a sense of humor, be fun, and be a good sport.” Maybe it can best be summed up with this description of a Venturer by his friends: “He’s cool, but straight.”
For many years I’ve felt that more than anything we need models of consistency. We need to popularize the good. Each time I read about one of our young Church members who is excelling in school or special events and is also solid in the gospel, I say, “That’s great! The system is working!” Nothing thrills me more than to see that the best athletes, the sharpest debaters, the finest musicians, and the brightest students also have the courage and commitment to really live their religion.
Last week I was talking to a fine athlete who told me of an LDS friend who was student-body president of one of the state’s largest high schools, an honor student, all-state in two sports, and high school all-American in a third. “And, to top it off,” he said, “he played it straight down the middle and was worthy to go on a mission.” Tremendous!
Sometimes living the principles of the gospel presents us with some challenges. During World War II, I enlisted in the Navy immediately out of high school and entered boot camp in San Diego. I shall never forget the first night in the barracks. We were all dressed in our standard white skivvies, and I ended up with the top half of a two-man bunk. I remember lying there after the lights were turned off and trying to decide how I was going to say my prayer. There was a little confusion around the area, and I didn’t want to flaunt my religion, but I also thought I might as well establish early that I was not ashamed to pray. So after a few minutes when the confusion subsided, I knelt quietly on top of my bunk and began to pray. I had just started when a large, boisterous fellow I’d met from northern Idaho came roaring down the aisle and in a loud voice yelled, “Hey, what are you doing, Clarke?” At the same time he whopped me across the backside and just about knocked me off the bunk. It’s quite an experience to kneel in the dark about five feet off the ground and suddenly find yourself flying through space! I managed to grab the rail and stay on top, but my nerves took an awful jolt. I didn’t say anything but continued my prayer. When I finished, my big neighbor fervently apologized and promised it wouldn’t happen again. We talked good-naturedly for a few minutes, then went to sleep.
That was the end of my problem. The next night I followed the same basic routine, but this time my friend took it upon himself to see that I had no interference. I heard him say, “All right, you guys, knock it off. Clarke’s saying his prayers.”
There is no end to the missionary effectiveness of youth who will just be true to their principles—without losing their “cool.” There is no sadder disillusionment than when a hero under pressure turns out to be veneer rather than hardwood. The opposition has never been tougher, but the quality of you young people has never been higher. It is possible to be beautiful, but modest; to be fun, but faithful; to be a good sport, but to pursue excellence; to be cool, but straight.
God bless each of you to prove to the world that it can be done. We’re counting on you!
Illustrated by Paul Mann