Recently Harry Belafonte called out Jay-Z and Beyonce for not doing enough to help out their former communities and “turning their backs on social responsibility” which was profound and ignorant all in one fell swoop. On one hand, it’s profound insight for a man such as Belafonte [who has dedicated much of his career and life to helping his community] to point out that celebrities of yesteryear seemed more intent on helping society, but it is also ignorant because he’s factually wrong about Jay-Z & Beyonce being aloof towards charity. This topic has been intensely debated on many forums, and although I agree with points on BOTH sides, the one comment I hate is “Rich and famous celebrities don’t owe ANYBODY, ANYTHING.” THAT’S absolute BULLSH*T.
I don’t care if you got rich being an athlete, a singer, a rapper, or a reality-tv star/socialite whose sex tape went triple platinum, if you are involved in an endeavour in which your compensation is directly correlated to the support of fans, giving back is literally the LEAST you SHOULD do. Understand that without OUR support, many of these millionaires would still be driving cars with the engine light on [like WE do], living paycheck to paycheck [like WE do], and living life WITHOUT Maybachs, mansions, personal shoppers and presidential suites [like WE do]. Our money has LITERALLY funded these people’s wealth, and you have the NERVE to say that they don’t OWE “anybody, anything?”
Have you lost your F*^KING mind?
Now let’s be clear: They DON’T owe us individual financial support, or their friendship, or insane amounts of time, but they DO owe the society one SIMPLE thing: Stewardship.
Stewardship is the belief that humans are responsible for the world, and should take care of it. Basically, you OWE the world to, at best, leave it BETTER than how you entered it, and at worst, leave it the SAME as how you entered it. This is the ideology that Belafonte was referencing in stating that celebs in his time FIERCELY fought against MAJOR issues, even if the position wasn’t the popular one, just to help the society. But many of today’s celebs sit in their mansions and will do sh*t-all to help even the neediest of people, even if it requires little to no effort at all. The problem with Belafonte’s statements is he left out one important fact: Stewardship is NOT a celebrity requirement – it is a HUMAN requirement.
Harry Belafonte with Dr. Martin Luther King & Sammy Davis Jr.
I don’t give a DAMN if you’re a millionaire or a thousandaire or a hundredaire, the responsiblity of stewardship falls SQUARELY on YOUR shoulders too, just like it falls on any rich and famous A-Lister. We ALL owe each other, and the children [who are our future] something – and not just any ol’ frowsy something, we owe them a DAMN LOT. Because if the generations before us had that “we don’t owe nobody a damn thing” mentality, the world we grew up in would be a LOT more screwed up than it is now. So please MISS ME with that selfish, anti-intellectual bullish*t.
This Is Your Conscience
27 Comments, Comment or Ping
lincolnanthonyblades
Ladies & Gentlemen, Do You Believe Celebs And/Or The Average Person OWES It To Society To Give Back? Or Is It Basically Every Man/Woman For Themselves And Just Take Care Of Your Family And Loved Ones?
Aug 10th, 2012
Jamaal
Agree with the "stewardship" part (common sense, really) but disagree with the "they owe it to their fans" train of thought.
If you paid $15 or w/e to consume a movie or an album for your entertainment, those are the terms of your transaction. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you have a problem with none of the proceeds from your $15 going to a charitable cause, don't buy the album and make the contribution yourself.
Aug 10th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
It's Not So Much About The Celebrity Giving To Charity As It Is About The Reality That Fandom Is Fleeting. That's Something Most Celebs Can Attest To.
Possessing An Ideology Of Entitlement Is To Ignore The Fact That Nobody Achieves Fame & Wealth On Their Own. To Look At It Simply From A Transactional Standpoint Is To Belittle The Help They Received On Their Way Up.
Aug 10th, 2012
kissy
I think the point is that if we didn't support the endeavors of celebrities they would not be where they are today. Whether we like the material we are reading, seeing, and or hearing, the fact of the matter is: how else did they get to where they are at???
Yes, they worked hard but if we don't spend the money, they don't get paid. Simple. Actors cant be actors if we don't watch their movies; singers & rappers cant be singers & rappers if we don't buy their music; etc. In order for them to be who they are and where they are at, we would have to indulge (whether we like it or not) in some sort of way. So, in turn, it shouldn't be an issue for celebrities to 'give back' (in whatever way possible) to their communities and/or society.
Aug 10th, 2012
mena
I agree with you here. We all should pay something forward in order to leave the world a better place. The problem lies where people feel that bc you are rich, you should give support financially and by not doing so, you are being selfish. There are other ways to give besides money and sometimes it's better to give of your time than to write a check.
All that I want my celebrities to give me is the thing that made them famous (music, movies, books, etc).
Aug 10th, 2012
petersburgh
We all owe the universe. Musicians draw energy and vision from the universe and all performers of art. Even this article was influenced from Harry's statement. The world is interdependent so if we all boycotted the next Bourne film, those actors directors etc will be paid yes but not all the merchandisers etc and so forth. Any success gained was assisted by something (universe) or someone and that's what I get from this.
Aug 10th, 2012
Smilez_920
I agree with what your saying link. But Harry is from an old school generation and he understands how their fame and influence can help change a community and I think that is what he's saying. Again artist of his day didn't always give money, but their time and influence was given in abundance especially in the black community. Now I will say back then that as a community we didn't sit on our hands waiting for celebrity help but they gave back in order to help everyone progress.
But yes everyone should do their part from Beyonce to Brenda should try and help in someway big or small. I know Jay I helpin with the nets statdium in Bk it is helping bring money into the community I guess.
Aug 10th, 2012
Vicky
Most celebrities have their own causes that they may donate to, not everything they do is in the public's eye.
I get the whole "giving back" thing, but I think it's pointless if people EXPECT them to. Isn't "charity" doing it out of the goodness of your own heart? Not because you are in the public eye and must maintain a "good rep".
Aug 10th, 2012
Jamaal
If we didn't spend the money, not only would the artist not get paid, we'd deprive ourselves of that entertainment value (utility).
We don't have any such expectations from Nike, Black & Decker, Ikea and other entities when we consume so why should we from the artist?
Dozens of people are getting rich in both instances so, in the case of the latter, just because we have a face and a name doesn't mean we should target them any differently and hold them to a different standard.
Artists who are grateful to fans and "give back" owe it to God. No one else, and we'd be naive and a little arrogant to think otherwise.
Like I said, the transaction (contract) between us was complete the moment we consumed their art.
Aug 10th, 2012
NurseJilly
I believe that we all have a duty to society not just the wealthy. While lots of people throw money @ causes and don't get me wrong that helps, but its about more than that. You can donate as much money as you want to whatever charity your heart desires but what counts the most is what you do on a daily basis. Donate millions to charities but pass a homeless man on the street without a second thought is a fail in my books.
Aug 10th, 2012
A Grown Ass Man
Jay has done a lot with clean water initiatives in Africa I believe too..
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
I think that way of thinking is the height of selfishness, but living in first world conditions we can all afford to be selfish. These celebrities have more personal wealth, privilege and opportunity than entire islands and nations, and the concept that they just have to perform and do nothing else is incongruent with even the most basic ethics and standards of moral correctness.
There is enough resources in the world to provide for it's inhabitants, and no one is saying that celebs must give all their wealth or pay ridiculous amounts. but the concept of not giving a penny when you're a millionaire is just downright disgusting.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
Over consumption is not a right, it's selfishness in a capitalistic world that encourages it. Whether company or individual, if you are blessed with a lot, you should be more open to sharing, especially when it was that very same God you prayed for for fans, who gave you them when you needed them.
To view this from a completely non-human standpoint is exactly the problem that Belafonte is talking about. This is not about an economics lesson, it's about doing what's right.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
So true. To look at this from a strictly economics basis is missing Harry's point and being ridiculous.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
I think if you're blessed it should be expected that you share your blessings. I'm not going to ask starving children in Somalia why they aren't contributing to causes, but I think it's fair to ask why millionaires and billionaires feel they don't owe anybody, anything.
I find that really offensive.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
That's so true Jilly.
Aug 10th, 2012
Vicky
I think you missed my point. You should do what you can, no matter how much money you have, but there is a difference in doing charity out of the goodness of your heart or just throwing money to cause to maintain a good rep with the public eye (obviously if you are a celebrity). Like Jilly said below "you can donate as much money as you want to whatever charity your heart desires but what counts the most is what you do on a daily basis. Donate millions to charities but pass a homeless man on the street without a second thought is a fail in my books."
Aug 10th, 2012
mena
I did put that their are other ways to give besides money. Sometimes just lending your name to a project is helpful.
All that celebrities need to give ME is performing. I don't expect for them to do anything else and they are in no way obligated to give me anything. That is the entire point of my last sentence.
Also, everyone should try and pay something forward. We should try to do this everyday. Sometimes an act of kindness is all a person needs to pick them up from a lousy day.
Aug 10th, 2012
MistaHarsh
but Jayz HAS given back to his community.
He taught us how to rock chancletas with jeans.
He taught us how to wear button ups
He showed us how 30 is the new 20
He showed us that blacks can be republican
He got us of Cristal and on to another overpriced liver damaging alcoholic beverage Ace of Spades.
He even showed us how to get a woman pregnant without her gaining weigh or stretch marks.
He's done a lot……..
Aug 10th, 2012
Vicky
LMFAO! DMK MistaHarsh! XD
Aug 10th, 2012
Diana
Yesterday my friend posted a link to an article w/ Belafonte's statements on the FB. And I noted that while this generation might think money = doing something, a lot of the old heads are chiding the youngins' because they know it's not just about money.
Belafonte n'em were blackballed in Hollywood when they stood alongside the Civil Rights Movement. So, they are more so calling new fangled celebrities out, like what do you stand for? Put your money where your mouth is and show what comforts you're willing to give up so others can have a piece of the pie. This leads to your idea of stewardship, or more so what does humanity owe to one another because I also think celebrities of yesteryear could do this because there was a real bonafied movement surrounding them – with people on the ground marching and getting hosed with water, real leaders getting jailed houses getting bombed, palatable energy that couldn't be ignored and contained. What would Jay and Bey be stepping into if they took a stand? How many regular folks are down for the cause and ready to give up that little car with the check engine light on to advance collective freedom?
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
People jump to the conclusion that Harry was only talking in financial terms, but I think he would agree with you that taking a stance is very valuable too.
Living in first world conditions, we are part of the lucky ones, but the vast majority of the world is struggling in abject poverty and to turn our backs on them is horrible.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
Agreed. But like I stated above, I don't think Harry is begging celebrities to donate money to causes. He wants them to stand for social justice in some way, instead of just sitting back in their large homes counting their money while poor people suffer.
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
Hahahaha! lol
Aug 10th, 2012
HerCommonSense
Best post in this thread so far!
Kudos!
Aug 10th, 2012
uncle gryph
charity/pr is one thing, but people like belafonte, ruby and ossie, and others stuck their necks out to support activists who were considered the day's terrorists. jay-z makes reference to black radicals (like the panthers) in his raps but does little to expand upon or 'legitimize' their ideas like black celebs did in the civil rights movement, which i might add was fresh after the mccarthy era where entertainers were getting 'blacklisted' and some even had to leave america. belafonte has every right to call today's celebs out. most of us though, not really. we ain't done a damn thing really but enjoy the spoils of their victory. i personally think that future generations are going to look back at our as a pack of whiny lames.
Aug 12th, 2012
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