Celebrities and Politics

[Blueangel]

Now, I'm not refering to celebrities who go into a career in main stream politics, just your average musician or actor who uses their fame to make a political statement

I've had this debate many times with a close musician friend who has refused to play gigs with a political agenda.

My stance is...where would we be without the likes of Bob Dylan?

Do you believe it is acceptable/appropriate for our celebrities to use their fame to voice political opinions?

I'm currently watching the MTV Europe World Music Awards and, so far, have seen Pink supporting Pro Life and there's just been a 'Free Your Mind' Award presented to Aung San Suu Kyi. Obviously, this admirable lady couldn't accept in person.

If awards such as this increase awareness it can only be a good thing.

To C.A....The Country Joe & The Fish lyrics that you quoted last night, are a prime example of how musicians can unite a common feeling and promote deeper thoughts.

Whilst Hollywood tired of Vanessa Redgrave using her acceptance speeches to promote the P.L.O., should we not have some admiration for a celebrity who is prepared to risk their career for what they believe in?

I believe that any artist is at their best when dealing with what they know, their reality, and what they are passionate about. If this is a political issue, then so be it!

As a die-hard Radiohead fan, I firstly love the music, but I also appreciate the lyrical meaning. I identify with what the artist is trying to convey.
Hence, my signature is the first two lines from an album entitled 'Hail To The Thief'.

So come on...What is your stance?

[marie]

In general, I do not have a problem when celebrities speak of their political opinions. I do however have a problem when they go for the "one-liners" like the Dixie Chicks or Johnny Depp did. At least have an intelligent thought to back up your opinion, ie JCM's letter that was posted by CA.

I'm not too sure about posing their opinions at the award shows though. I really don't think there is enough time to speak, but rather to do a "slam dunk". I'm not sure that this really raises awareness. :confused:

[Blueangel]

Originally posted by marie
I do however have a problem when they go for the "one-liners" like the Dixie Chicks or Johnny Depp did. Firstly, I admit I'm biased here as Johnny Depp is my numero uno man *swoon*.
I fully appreciate his position and his need to comment on the situation he was in. He's American married to a French woman and his children have dual nationality.
He spoke from the heart as is anybody's right.

[marie]

Originally posted by Blueangel
Firstly, I admit I'm biased here as Johnny Depp is my numero uno man *swoon*.
I fully appreciate his position and his need to comment on the situation he was in. He's American married to a French woman and his children have dual nationality.
He spoke from the heart as is anybody's right.

hehe...I understand your bias, he's just not my type :) Of course everyone has the *right* to speak their mind, I just have more respect for the ones that do it in more of a thought-provoking way - I guess that's what I would call it. The one-liners just seem to annoy me for some reason :)

[dove]

Blue angel, did you make this thread *just* for me? lol. I sure have opinions on the subject. (and hi marie ....good to see your old wonder woman avatar!)

Everyone has a right to speak their minds. They have votes, they have the corner store, the barber shop, they can make signs and hold them up, they can write to congress, they can peacefully and legally protest.

Celebrities, however have a bit more of a "platform" than your average american. It's how they use that platform that makes me angry at times.

John Cougar Mellencamp wrote a song about how he felt about US policies (rather Bush in general). Great. Fine. use your craft, sing your song, people will either listen and hear you or not. If he starts imposing his views on every show he goes on, and it gets to the point where I cannot tune in to see him simply entertain me with his wonderful talent, Then I may consider not watching him or buying his stuff.

The Dixie Chicks and their ilk, well...thats a different thing altogether. As marie stated, pot shots are their weapon of choice, and if truly backed against a wall they could not explain the "why's" of what they say. (They couldnt do this in the Diane Sawyer interview, not that Diane Sawyer pushed them much. she was quite soft on them, and let them sit and giggle behind their hands and cry)

My feeling is that if you cannot defend your opinion, dont hold the public hostage to it. If you *can* defend your opinion with fact and reasonable debate, then by all means do so. on your OWN time, and with the means the rest of america has to do it with.

Michael Moore took the oscar audience hostage with his ramblings. It served no purpose. It wasnt constructive. He is no different than vanessa redgrave, however the only reason he gets away with it is that his rantings were "popular" in the hollywood crowd. Its very easy to rant in a business where you know you are surrounded by like minds. Despite whether I agree with someone or not, I actually have more respect for those who is so convicted about their cause or opinion that they will speak out an unpopular opinion, and stand to lose much for their view.

The Dixie chicks did not do that. They took a potshot that they believed was a popular opinion, and would get them applause, and when they did suffer back home for it, they whined and thought it all so darn unfair!

Celebrities are all entitled to their politics, just as any american. Just let them not forget that they, by virtue of their status, their exposure and the millions they make from the american public....are not the "average american". They do not speak for us. If they wish to, then by all means, drop your guitar, or quit your sitcom where you get a steady obscenely high income, and go into politics.

Well, I did ramble, but its merely a *start*...lol

[Blueangel]

And a nice start it is too ;)

Good to see some strong, well thought out opinions out there.

Personally, I have great respect for musicians who make us really think through their lyrics. The likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Arlo Guthrie, various Rap stars, etc. I'd put the likes of Dave Peel at the other end of the spectrum, but it's still in there.
I believe song writing is a viable format for political commentary, it's almost the most perilous format. If your public don't hold the same view, they will stop buying your music.

What does bug me, is artists who actively speak out to excess instead of using the format they are expert in.
The 'holier than thou, look at my social concience' brigade.

By all means, play that Amnesty gig...play that gig for Tibet...just don't keep hogging the same limelight as the individual politicians you support.
Michael Stipe springs to mind as being guilty of this. First he was a Republican...then a Democrat...now what?