Once upon a time, it was career suicide for entertainers to express political preferences. Things have changed. And that’s a good thing.
These days, celebrities speak up, speak out, stand up, march, and express their opinions loudly and proudly. As they should. The people who criticize celebrities for speaking up about politics are missing the point.
First, they are citizens of this nation, too. They have the same rights as the rest of Americans. And second, they care what happens to our country. They don’t have to, but they do.
They could sit back, with their fame and large fortunes, and say, “Let them (us) eat cake.”
We tend to think, or rather assume that the celebs who speak out were once starving artists, and they remember where they came from. Not necessarily so.
Many of the celebrities who make a point of standing up for political issues, did not come from poor backgrounds. Some are Ivy League educated, with professional parents who provided them with comfortable childhoods. And still, they care about this nation and the people without a voice.
The bottom line here, is that the celebrities who speak out for fairness, justice, and equality for all Americans are good citizens. They are compassionate humanitarians, who do not mind risking their reputations and careers, and yes, bank accounts, to help ensure that our nation thrives and survives.
In a sense, they are the true guardians of Democracy and Freedom. There are people in this nation who would probably never bother voting, or never realize they have options, until someone they recognize and relate to informs them of those options.
It is not a celebrity’s “duty” to care and make a difference. And, they’re actions are not coming from a selfish agenda, i.e. if we, their fans, are crushed economically, spiritually, etc., then how can we support their art: go see their movies, buy their records…
No. The objective is coming from a pure place: What is right and what is wrong. Fair elections. Unbiased legislation. Keeping political corruption at bay. Protecting our freedoms and constitutional rights. Saving our country and the citizens of this country and the rest of the world.
They have a Voice, because they have recognizable faces and names. And they use them for good.
So Thank YOU, Leo and George, Brad and Don, Scarlett and Tina, Diddy, Barbra, Spielberg, J.T., Cameron, Angelina, Jen A., Ellen, Madonna, The View!, and all the other famous faces and names that cared about us, The United States, and our world at large.
You didn’t have to. But you did. Let’s hope you continue to do so, because the world needs you.