Celebrities and politics: Doing good

[kedzieb]

I'm not sure if this thread should be in this forum or not, but I thikn it has more to do with news/politics than celebrities/gossip.

I think it's annoying when celebrities think that whatever thought they have on politics is somehow gospel since they're famous. But sometimes I wonder - do the opinions matter more when the person expressing them is famous and more people will hear them? Anyway, here are a few articles on celebrities in the new right now for their activism or personal views where I think they seem sincere and will do some good.

Brad Pitt on Marriage Equity (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060908/ap_en_mo/people_brad_pitt;_ylt=AiDquCtI4sLPHk0UAgtuHODQbbUC ;_ylu=X3oDMTA4dDg2MG9mBHNlYwMxNjk3)

Oprah's Angel Network (http://www2.oprah.com/uyl/oan_landing.jhtml)

One Campaign - started by Bono (http://www.one.org/about)

I do think that sometimes issues will get swept under the rug unless really pretty people talk about them. At the same time, I get annoyed when some celebrities who obviously don't know much about the topic try to sound involved. I'm trying to move past that and post more good examples of celebrities doing good.

[ejs]

I do not care one iota what celebrities think about political issues. I also don't care what products they endorse. I have never been positively influenced on any issue or product by a celebrity endorsement.

The sad thing is that many people are. "Oh, Jessica Simpson uses this facial care product, so I should too because I love her so much." "I think Alec Baldwin is a great actor and he's supporting xxx for President, so I should support him, too."

[kedzieb]

I do not care one iota what celebrities think about political issues. I also don't care what products they endorse. I have never been positively influenced on any issue or product by a celebrity endorsement.

The sad thing is that many people are. "Oh, Jessica Simpson uses this facial care product, so I should too because I love her so much." "I think Alec Baldwin is a great actor and he's supporting xxx for President, so I should support him, too."


I feel that way too to an extent. I'm not sure I think that celebrities have changed my mind about anything political. But I do think they have the power to get information out to a wide audience and sometimes effect real change due to their fame. Not that I feel like it should necessarily be that way.

BTW - In my search to find more celebrity charity info, I found this site online

Clothes off our Back (http://www.clothesoffourback.org/)

Which might be the craziest thing I've ever seen. Someone bid $150 for Teri Hatcher's hair extensions!

[ejs]

I do appreciate anyone, celebrity or not, who has the means and opportunity doing good in the world. I respect what Oprah has done for schools in Africa. I just learned during the US Open that Andre Agassi has opened at least one school in the Las Vegas area.

I also know that a celebrity getting a horrible illness helps raise awareness (Michael J Fox and Parkinson's; Brooke Shields and PPD). And if that causes people to raise more money for research, that's a positive.

I'm all for celebrities encouraging people to vote, but just not who to vote for. I think that many of them are actually less informed than many of us. I completely understand why politicians want celeb endorsements; it just saddens me that people buy into it.

[jnettie]

I take it all with a grain of salt.

There are some celebrities that just have what I'd call a "fashionable" cause. It's usually a no-brainer or something that is "in" right now. Often, they are horribly missinformed. Ick.

I do think that a celebrity can bring awarness where it is needed. And if they put their money where their mouth is, all the better. Oprah is a prime example. She gives tons of money to all of the causes she endorses.

As far as politics go...eh, sometimes I wish they'd just stay out.

[lawyerlee]

I think it is admirable to take the time to educate yourself about issues that speak to you and use your fame to try to promote awareness of them. I certainly don't think it is wise for us to treat their opinions as though they are more valuable than anyone else's, especially because it seems that they are often less valuable. However, I do think it is worthwhile to try to harness some of the attention that is already on you because of your career and use it promote something good or worthwhile.

I, too, find it annoying when celebs make off-the-cuff remarks that seem to show total ignorance regarding an issue. It often makes me think a whole lot less of them, even if I liked them before. I think it is better to keep your trap shut if you can't be bothered to educate yourself about something before speaking out on it. Not so much as to "heat of the moment" type comments (heck, we've all been there), but as to becoming involved with something, then basically revealing that you have no idea what you're doing or talking about.

I have to say, though, I have a great deal of admiration for people who have become wealthy through their acting or music or whatever and actually *do* something to make the world a little better, rather than just talking about it. Sean Penn's efforts to help rescue stranded New Orleans residents is an example that sticks out in my mind.

[paulinaaa]

I think the majority of activist celebrities feel that they have a responsibility to "do something worthwhile with their fame".

I think that's okay. I hope it stems from a guilty feeling that their work is frivolous and overblown.



'Cause mostly, it is...

I also know that a celebrity getting a horrible illness helps raise awareness (Michael J Fox and Parkinson's; Brooke Shields and PPD). And if that causes people to raise more money for research, that's a positive.
I agree!

Think Chris Reeves, Jerry Lewis and Doug Flutie...

[jnettie]

I hope it stems from a guilty feeling that their work is frivolous and overblown.

Maybe overblown, certainly overpaid for some, but frivolous? Most performing artists and behind-the-scenes types are seriously underpaid, and none of us see our job as frivolous. Just sayin'.

[lawyerlee]

If they provide anyone with entertainment or enjoyment, that's definitely not frivolous to me! :)

[justHB]

I'm all for celebrities encouraging people to vote, but just not who to vote for. I think that many of them are actually less informed than many of us. I completely understand why politicians want celeb endorsements; it just saddens me that people buy into it. You think? I don't know about that. Have you ever listened to Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Martin Sheen, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney (I cite these celebs b/c I am a democrat so I hear them speaking most often; I'm sure there are republican celebs that are out there as well)? They know a definite good deal more about issues than most Americans. I think we sometimes forget about "the rest of America" because we all spend a lot of time on a website where the majority of women are smart, educated, and not afraid to speak their mind. My guess is, if you were to go out into the street of any major American city and ask random people about the issues, you'd be met with blank stares, or outright untruths.

Now, I'm not saying that all celebrity endorsements of political activism are legit, but to discount all just because they're celebrities reeks of prejudice.

[Asha]

I'm sure there are republican celebs that are out there as well

lol! ...and they are a bit more successful at getting high positions in gov't to promote their agendas. not that i'm happy about it, just sayin'.

[wander_woman]

No, the opinons of celebs do not matter *more* because they are famous. But I also think the opposite is true as well -- their opinions should not matter *less* just because they are celebrities. I get annoyed when people take one or the other extreme stance ("I will vote for X because Tim Robbins said to" or "I refuse to listen to anything Tim Robbins says just because he's a stupid celebrity"). Just like with everything else, I would hope that nobody takes the word of celebrities as absolute truth (just like I hope nobody does that with any one newpaper or television station or reporter). You can pretty quickly discern who knows their stuff and who doesn't.

I respect those celebrities who use their fame to try to do good things in the world. Whether we like it or not, the truth is that George Clooney probably has as much of a pulpit as George Bush. If more Americans now know of Darfur because George Clooney gave a speech to the UN Security Council that was then reported on Extra (and it was a good speech, BTW), more power to him! I see nothing wrong with that.

I also have respect for celebs that put their money where their mouth is. I am even more impressed when they don't make a big deal out of their donations. Example: I went to a law clinic sponsored by the American Bar Association about a year ago to learn how to represent children in immigration detention facilities. In the program handouts, I saw printed, in small letters, that this entire ABA pro bono program was funded by Angelina Jolie. I was shocked! I knew she was a UNICEF ambassador and made a big deal out of that, but it was so nice to see that this huge project was all her doing, and her PR reps never made a big deal out of it.

[greenbunny]

I think some celebs do know more about some issues than a regular person. They have money to travel and leisure time to do it in. I'm sure Angelina Jolie knows a heck of a lot more about the plight of third-world people than I do--she's always there.

[paulinaaa]

I think some celebs do know more about some issues than a regular person. They have money to travel and leisure time to do it in. I'm sure Angelina Jolie knows a heck of a lot more about the plight of third-world people than I do--she's always there.

Just because I live in LA where I see plenty of homeless people, drug addicts, and alcoholics doesn't mean that I know their plight.

When I travel to third world countries and if I stay in 5 star hotels it doesn't bring me any closer to knowing their plight. I'll accept that she's more aware of their plight but unless you've been really impoverished one can never know the plight of poverty.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Just because I live in LA where I see plenty of homeless people, drug addicts, and alcoholics doesn't mean that I know their plight.

When I travel to third world countries and if I stay in 5 star hotels it doesn't bring me any closer to knowing their plight. I'll accept that she's more aware of their plight but unless you've been really impoverished one can never know the plight of poverty.
So... Unless someone has been poor, they're not allowed to talk about poverty? If someone hasn't experienced something, they can't have an opinion on how it should be handled?

[jnettie]

Wow, paulinaaa, cynical much? ;)

I do think that celebrities have a unique possition where they have the money to research and learn more about issues that concern them and the notoriety to bring wider attention to those issues. Many also get their hands in the muck. Sean Penn certainly can't be accused of staying in 5 star hotels and watchin NOLA from afar. His butt was in a boat pulling people out of flooded homes. Then there's Jimmy Carter (I know, not a celebrity per se, but still) who builds homes for Habbitat for Humanity insead of playing golf in his post Presidential days.

What's more, many use their art to create works about those issues which they feel passionate. George Clooney, who's been mentioned before, does this quite often. Tim Robbins was brought up, too. Both make films about political issues they wish to bring wider attention to. That is certainly not a frivolous!

[paulinaaa]

So... Unless someone has been poor, they're not allowed to talk about poverty? If someone hasn't experienced something, they can't have an opinion on how it should be handled?
Anywhere in my quote above, do I say someone cannot talk about poverty? Does the word TALK appear ANYWHERE in my quote?

Just because I live in an Orthodox Jewish community doesn't mean I know their plight, hardships or their issues. I can be more aware than you or someone who doesn't live or visit the community about issues that affect them, such as Passover Kosher Coca-Cola which is very different than Kosher Coca-Cola.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Anywhere in my quote above, do I say someone cannot talk about poverty? Does the word TALK appear ANYWHERE in my quote?
No, you're right. The word TALK does not appear ANYWHERE in your quote. Sorry for MISUNDERSTANDING what you were TRYING to say. :rolleyes:
Just because I live in an Orthodox Jewish community doesn't mean I know their plight, hardships or their issues. I can be more aware than you or someone who doesn't live or visit the community about issues that affect them, such as Passover Kosher Coca-Cola which is very different than Kosher Coca-Cola.
It is possible for a person not to be a member of a community and to still have an understanding of these things. It's not a given, but it is a possibility.

[jnettie]

Um, there's a difference between living in an Orthodox Jewish community in America and going to Africa to be involoved with the culture there, specifically to help them.

But still, since I have lived in a Orthodox neighborhood for three years, I've learned a lot more about their customs, holidays, and religious practices than most gentiles. We *gasp* talk to our neighbors.

[ysolde]

And FTR, Susan Sarandon does a lot more than just talk. She actively volunteers in a community soup kitchen in NYC, either preparing or serving food to hundreds of homeless people each time she comes, and she does so fairly regularly. Moreover, she personally assists in the soup kitchen's fundraising activities (no, not big events, just the nitty gritty envelope stuffing things).

[msnicolea]

I applaud anyone who uses their fame/money/resources to help others. More celebs should follow the Jolie-Pitt/Clooney/Sarandon leads, IMO.

No, being a celeb doesn't make you an expert on _____cause--but there are tons of wealthy people out there who could make a difference and choose not to. So I think we should be celebrating the Bonos of the world, not bashing them!

[kedzieb]

I applaud anyone who uses their fame/money/resopurces to help others. More celebs should follow the Jolie-Pitt/Clooney/Sarandon leads, IMO.

No, being a celeb doesn't make you an expert on _____cause--but there are tons of wealthy people out there who could make a difference and choose not to. So I think we should be celebrating the Bonos of the world, not bashing them!

Here here!

[PG-rated]

No, the opinons of celebs do not matter *more* because they are famous. But I also think the opposite is true as well -- their opinions should not matter *less* just because they are celebrities. I get annoyed when people take one or the other extreme stance ("I will vote for X because Tim Robbins said to" or "I refuse to listen to anything Tim Robbins says just because he's a stupid celebrity"). Just like with everything else, I would hope that nobody takes the word of celebrities as absolute truth (just like I hope nobody does that with any one newpaper or television station or reporter). You can pretty quickly discern who knows their stuff and who doesn't.

ITA. I get really frustrated when people say that celebrities should keep their opinions on politics/world affairs to themselves. They can't pick up their dog's poop without having a picture snapped, and part of their job involves sitting through hours of interviews where they have to answer the most asinine questions out there. I don't see why they should be expected to talk about their secret eyebrow care routines, yet never speak a word about the causes they truly care about.

[pocket]

I applaud anyone who uses their fame/money/resources to help others. More celebs should follow the Jolie-Pitt/Clooney/Sarandon leads, IMO.

Right on!

I don't see why they should be expected to talk about their secret eyebrow care routines, yet never speak a word about the causes they truly care about.

LOL - good point!