Is "Be the part of the change you want to see in the world!" bullshit?

[Ahriman]

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

I think that's exactly right. We can hope that setting an example helps -- though in the end who knows. I hope that good parents, good teachers, etc. still have an effect, even if Hollywood usually teaches the opposite. 

I'm pretty sure that everything I'm saying here was modeled for me by my parents.

They don't. Hollywood is right. It's a disgusting reality, but there you go.