Does the end justify the means?

Last night I was watching the conclusion of Hip Hop versus America on BET (been trying to catch it since it aired) and it brought up the topic of video "models." There were so many topics that spun out of this dialogue, but this one stuck out to me. They had Melyssa Ford, a video "model," TI, Nelly, Andre Crouch, and Michael Eric Dyson. All of them made very interesting points. Ms. Ford stated she just did videos for extra money while she was in school and to pursue her education. Is this ok? Can you degrade yourself for a dollar now and expect the world to except you as the next great leader of tomorrow?? When the pictures or videos of you come up when you are running for mayor of Atlanta or interview to become the CEO of a major corporation will they understand that you just did that to get yourself through college? Is it alright for the drug dealer to sale drugs to support his education or support his family? Does his end justify his means? A friend on facebook posted an article about a teacher having her children do an assignment advertising the pros of slavery and we were like are you serious? Is the mighty dollar the driving force behind what we do even if it gets rid of our standards? The rappers even glorify sex, drugs, and money, but say it is okay as long as they are giving back to the community in the spare time. It is ok for a community center or non-profit to except the one million dollar donation from Nelly or TI, eventhough a lot of their videos and lyrics are promoting what they are trying to combat in today's youth in their center?

I do not think the end always justify the means. One of my own personal thoughts is that sometimes you have to work harder to get where others have got, is it fair, no, but life is not fair. I might have to work 12 hours to get the same pay as a person who works 10 hours. It might take me 10 years to graduate from college flipping burgers at McDonalds when it only takes the stripper 4, just because she makes her money faster. Might take me 10 years to save a million dollars working as a social worker, when it take the financial analyst 5, but I get to go home at night and rest because I know I am in my purpose and I am not stressed. These are just a few broad examples. People really need to think about is it really worth it?

My point in saying all this is to just think about why we do what we do? Is it ok to sell our morals and souls out just to meet an end, then say I had to do it to get to where I am? I started talking about video "models" and rappers, but it is not only in that line of work. Is your main goal on your job the dollar and to get it by any means? Just my thoughts and vents.