Internet Rejects Celebrity Awareness Campaign, Asks Them to Open Their Wallets Instead
White celebrities have taken to the internet to share their own experiences with racism in an effort to spread awareness. However, this movement has been met with criticism. Several all-white actors have recorded monologues about their acts of racism in partnership with the NAACP under the movement #ITakeResponsibility. The internet’s response has been reminiscent of the Beatles cover fiasco during the coronavirus pandemic.
The movement has been viewed as an expansion of celebrities’ own brands rather than a genuine effort to enact change. Talking into a phone for thirty seconds is not taking responsibility or enabling any sort of change. While it is important for white people to call out racism within their circles, having celebrities talk on behalf of black people is not the solution. Instead, action needs to be taken, such as marching, petitioning, and donating money to institutions dedicated to racial equality, social justice, and education access.
One example of genuine change being made is Michael Jordan and Nike’s pledge to give $100 million over the next 10 years to institutions dedicated to racial equality, social justice, and education access. This kind of action is what is needed to make a real difference.
In a similar vein, a video of stars singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” during the COVID-19 pandemic went viral, but it was met with criticism as well. The celebrities, including Gal Gadot, Natalie Portman, and Sarah Silverman, proved themselves to be both figuratively and literally tone-deaf with their rendition of a song about a world without possessions, despite the fact that they enjoy a life full of possessions.
As a genuine black person, I can say that having white celebrities talk on my behalf is not the answer to ending racism. It is important for white people to educate themselves and call out racism within their own circles, but this movement lacks the necessary action to make a real difference.
In conclusion, while spreading awareness about racism is important, it is not enough. Action needs to be taken to make a genuine difference, such as donating money to institutions dedicated to racial equality, social justice, and education access. Talking into a phone for thirty seconds is not enough to take responsibility or enable any sort of change. Genuine change requires action.
In an effort to “spread awareness,” white celebrities have taken to the internet, sharing their own experiences with racism. The internet was not best pleased.
Proving that a lesson unlearned is a mistake repeated, a throng of all-white actors have recorded a series of monologues, empathetically sharing their own acts of racism, to increase learning. Or something. In partnership with the NAACP, Kristen Bell, Kesha, Aaron Paul, Stanley Tucci, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Debra Messing have launched a movement called #ITakeResponsibility. As we’re not too far removed from the disastrously gormless effort to fight the coronavirus with a Beatles cover, the internet’s response has been almost identical.
regret to inform you the celebs are at it again pic.twitter.com/pfORBiqvrX
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) June 11, 2020
For those who missed it, a clip of stars singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” went viral not long after the world got serious about COVID-19. Wonder Woman actor Gal Gadot rounded up a star-studded crew including Natalie Portman, Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell, Cara Delevingne to record clips of themselves singing the lyrics of a song about a world without neither war nor possessions. They are neither vocal talents nor are they seemingly aware that they very much enjoy a life full of possessions, proving themselves both figuratively and literally tone-deaf.
As a genuine black person, allow me to be curt. Having white celebrities talk on my behalf, isn’t it. Talking into your phone for thirty seconds isn’t taking responsibility, nor is it enabling any sort of change. White people calling out racism within their circles is important, but I can’t imagine a man famous for saying the word “bitch” will change any minds made by discrimination.
Cynically, it could be viewed as an expansion of their own brand, an opportunity to market themselves. Talk, after all, is the cheapest commodity. If they’re truly serious in wanting to enforce change, I’ll expect to see them marching, with a petition in hand, and, above all, with their goddamn wallets open.
Need an example? Michael Jordan and Nike pledged to give $100 million over the next 10 years to institutions dedicated to racial equality, social justice, and education access. That’s change.
