Should Celebrities Be the Voice of Humanitarian Causes

Norman Borlaug, a man credited with saving over a billion people from starvation, once said “The destiny of world civilization depends upon providing a decent standard of living for all mankind.” This quote means that the ultimate goal of society is for all people to help one another so that everyone can experience an economic and socially stable life. This poses the question, "Should celebrities be the voice of humanitarian causes?" and in this essay, I will attempt to answer it. In one way, celebrities can afford to donate lots of money and help minimize world-wide issues such as poverty. However, many argue that famous people offered misguided proposals which can worsen situations globally. In this case, celebrities should become the voice of humanitarian causes due to their vast popularity, and ability to address political issues easily to help others.

Why should celebrities become the voice of humanitarian causes?

Celebrities should become the voice of humanitarian causes due to their popularity known throughout the world for a variety of reasons. Famous people are able to use their popularity to influence other people’s decision to collaborate in the cause of helping others. Hollywood’s elite get to wield their unique ability to engage diverse audiences, and the power of celebrity is put to good use effecting change…. Clearly, this quote implies the fact that significant people such as Hollywood actors are easily able to attract the attention of large chunks of people throughout the world and persuade them to go out and help each other.

Moreover, celebrities use can use their popularity to get people to support their own charity organizations and project to help those people in need of crucial elements such as water, food, and shelter in order to survive. As stated in Text 1, Lines 56-59 “Celebrities are master recruiters. If you’re trying to expand beyond the already converted, there’s no better way to do instant outreach than to have a familiar face where people want to know more about what they’re doing in their personal lives.” This quote demonstrates that Hollywood elites can indeed use their popularity for good humanitarian causes to those people in parts of the world whom need help. Lastly, analyst also say celebrities can use their “star power” to accomplish everything which means that they can use their popularity as a weapon for the good of society. Hollywood elites also have the capability to address political issues easily for the benefit of a nation and its inhabitants in several different ways.

However, global celebrities in the 21st century are involved in proselytizing about particular religions such as, Scientology, negotiating with the Taliban in Afghanistan and participating in the Iraqi refugee crisis. This quote means that famous people are using their “star power” to incorporate themselves in global situations to attempt to solve issues that are detrimental to society. As matter fact, Jude Law, a Hollywood actor, tried to negotiate with the Taliban terrorist association in Afghanistan! As stated in Text 3 lines 6-7, Celebrities have entered forums for global governance to pressure political leaders: George Clooney has spoken before the United Nations while Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sharon Stone have attended summits like DAVOS and the G8 to discuss third world debt, poverty, and refugees. As can tell, famous people have established communication themselves with the United Nations government to improve world debt and the lives of innocent people throughout the world.

Lastly, professionals are certain that there’s always been a “connection with Hollywood and politics, certainly in the USA” which means that celebrities have and are capable of changing politics for humanitarian causes. Many critics may say that celebrities shouldn’t become the voice of humanitarian causes because they are held to be self-serving and provoke many problems. These folks believe that Hollywood elites engage in humanitarian causes because they want to enhance their careers and in doing so might make unreasonable decisions that can make matters worse due to lack of knowledge. Although this point is valid, it is proven that many celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and Nicole Kidman took time out of their careers and personal lives to attend political meeting with the United Nation and United States government.

Celebrities have entered forums for global governance to pressure political leaders: George Clooney has spoken before the United Nations while Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sharon Stone have attended summits like DAVOS and the G8 to discuss third world debt, poverty, and refugees.” It is obvious that celebrities know what they’re talking about and take things seriously because they’re dealing with very power nations and take valuable time from their careers. The extremes these famous people go to help others is truly something that’s unselfish and must be respected. Lastly, in text lines 17-19, Affleck can be considered a “celebrity humanitarian,” a celebrity figure who has moved beyond his/her day job as an entertainer to delve into the areas of foreign aid, charity, and development. Clearly, Hollywood elites go to extremes to help other in need which shows their good intentions rather than selfishness.

Overall, celebrities should be the voice of humanitarian causes because of their vast popularity, and ability to address political issues for the good of society. Throughout the years, famous people have contributed to improve the lifestyle of those people whom seek help due to poverty, and treatment for diseases such as cancer. If this trend continues, the world will definitely be a better place because it’ll eliminate one of the worst global issues occurring today like poverty.

References

1. Goodwin, R., & Jasperse, M. (2015). Celebrity advocacy and international development: Rethinking development communication. Progress in Development Studies, 15(2), 155-171. doi: 10.1177/1464993414566311
2. Grindle, M. S., & Thomas, J. W. (1991). Public choices and policy change: The political economy of reform in developing countries. Johns Hopkins University Press.
3. Hudson, M. (2014). Celebrity humanitarianism: The ideology of global charity. Routledge.
4. Molyneux, M., & Offen, K. (2000). Gender and politics in Latin America. In S. J. Lieberman & S. L. Staudt (Eds.), Political gender: Texts and contexts (pp. 79-96). Blackwell Publishers.
5. Patil, V. P. (2017). Celebrities as agents of social change. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 5(5), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.publishingindia.com/ijhssr/51/celebrities-as-agents-of-social-change/522/3776/