Will Rogers: The Man of the Hour
By Henry F. Pringle
Will Rogers is the man of the hour. He is the one American who can make us laugh at ourselves, and at the same time make us think about ourselves. He is a humorist, a philosopher, and a statesman all rolled into one.
Rogers was born in Oologah, Indian Territory, on November 4, 1879. His father was a Cherokee Indian and his mother was a white woman. Rogers grew up on a ranch and learned to ride a horse and rope a steer before he could read or write.
After a brief career as a cowboy, Rogers went into show business. He started out as a vaudeville performer, but he soon became a star of the silent movies. In 1929, he made his first talking picture, "They Had to See Paris," and he quickly became one of the most popular actors in Hollywood.
Rogers was not just a funny man. He was also a shrewd observer of human nature. He had a gift for saying things that were both funny and true. He was also a strong believer in the common man. He believed that the average person was just as smart and capable as the rich and powerful.
Rogers' humor was often directed at politicians. He was a frequent critic of the government, and he was not afraid to speak his mind. He once said, "The only thing that makes a politician different from a diaper is that the diaper gets changed more often."
Rogers was also a strong advocate for Native American rights. He was a member of the Cherokee Nation, and he was always proud of his Indian heritage. He often spoke out against the discrimination that Native Americans faced.
Rogers was a complex and contradictory man. He was a self-made millionaire who was always generous with his money. He was a world-famous celebrity who never forgot his roots. He was a man of humble origins who became a powerful voice for the common man.
Will Rogers was a true American original. He was a humorist, a philosopher, and a statesman who made a lasting impact on American culture. He died in a plane crash in 1935, but his legacy lives on. He is still one of the most beloved and respected figures in American history.