Helping Kids in Africa...the New Black?
With every fashion season, there is always a color--pink, grey, green, brown--that becomes "the new black", meaning it should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe. Well, with celebrities trying to do a little good and become politically active, it seem as though white celebrities in Africa is this season's new black.
I'm not really sure how I feel about it all. While I am happy for ANY amount of attention being paid to the issues in Sudan and the AIDS pandemic in Africa, I am a bit weary that the only face presented to the masses is that of George, Angelina or ___________ (insert popular white celebrity here).
Whenever I see white celebrities championing the rights of the poor and defenseless dark continent, I get a little uneasy and I start wondering, where are the black people? Are we too busy partying , or is it yet another case of media-bias? I find it ironic that BET can follow around musicians that talk about nothing, but can't report what's going on in Africa. Sure, there are a few who are actucally doing something (Alicia, Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte). But what's really going on with Black Hollywood and their response or lack their of to the many issues in Africa?
I am so curious to know your thoughts. Am I the only one who feels...conflicted?
Talk to me y'all.
peace.
*shout out to Racial Realist for getting me thinking about this whole thing.
Related Tags: politics, Africa, Sudan, Activism, Celebrities, Angilina Jolie, George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Hollywood, America
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Oh wow! I'm really feeling that! You can always determine the interest of the media when it comes to the welfare of black people. The one thing that we have to remember about America is that it is a Capitalist system. This country is in the business of making money. The only time that they will take interest in a cause (IRAQ) is if there is something to gain from it all. There's nothing more to gain from a country that has been violated and stripped to its core as Africa has. As for BET, its now white owned. Then again, I don't think that O'Bob Johnson is intersted in Africa anyway. Hell, he's not even interested in the Africans that were brought here as slaves (His own people). God help us all. Great post! Peace~
Stephen: great point. america is only concerned when money is involved.
RR,
while i am skeptical, i can't knock them for at least shining a light & helping out. i guess being a black person in america makes me....untrusting? it just makes me wonder. the motives? the reasons? and where the hell are the black folks?
THough provocative subject! I not only think there is a media & overall blackout of the issues on/in Africa.
Great POV & I totally agree here "I guess it relates to the wider question of why don't blacks help other blacks more period and issues of lack of black unity and self hatred."
One thing we need to do is identify who our leaders are, I am uncertain nowadays. Or do we need to be lead???
Bygbaby: i'm not sure if we need to be led, but we need to be organized.
don't count on BET... i mean MTV... i mean, CBS. viacom, via-go, via don't care. technology is here. use it to find some truth worth telling... and if clooney wants to get a few minutes on access hollywood, building a jack kennedy portfolio, good for him. and if some white gyal in iowa gets her eyes open to AIDS on the subcontinent, good for her... as for who "our" leaders are? life ain't like that no mo'. i don't know exactly what life is like for "us" now, but i know this anointed leader thing ain't gonna work in the 21st and beyond... local knowledge, global reach. that's what i'm guessing... cells of smart heads with some bread weaving threads to get ahead or die... keep the threads alive... i'm signing on to all you heads... community starts somewhere, even cyber-here.
only we can tell our story. of course the media will pump up their folx for making an effort! the question we need to start asking ourselves is, "will we ever be successful in the land of our captivity?" how much can we help our brothers and sisters on the continent while we are over here? as far as black folk helping one another. that is really an african-american perspective. i always marvelled at the african students and how they banded together to help each other out. we AA's have lost our African collectivism. This "every man for himself" attitude has destroyed our thinking.