This shows through the past week or so during the RNC and the DNC. Clint Eastwood had shown up and gave a speech at the RNC while others such as Scarlett Johansson and Eva Longoria addressed democrats at the DNC. The article talks about the discussion that Eastwood held as well as the speech Scarlett Johansson gave.It's a no brainer that actors and actresses have influence on their audience, especially those who are well known and have reached the hyped up celebrity status in the industry. However, what I'm beginning to realize is that they also have political influence.
I haven't realized it until this year though, be it my ignorance or merely not paying attention to politics that much, that these entertainers could affect votes--- mainly young voters. Nonetheless, the article caught my attention because of the well known names that came with these very diverse campaigns.
As a student I see that the celebrities are voicing their opinions. For example, Scarlett Johansson and Eva Longoria are trying to reach out to younger votes and potential ones by talking about women's issues, student loans, and employment. As a student, I will eventually be a future voter. Personally, this helps me see that I should listen to their claims but I should not let just their speeches persuade me. Since they are voicing their opinions, they are trying to persuade me so I should think about my vote carefully. Same thing goes for being a consumer. However, as a consumer I am more impacted by the ways the the political parties use these actors to persuade me. Are they just using their faces to be on their campaign or are they utilizing these celebrities by letting them give elaborate speeches rather than showing in a 30 second commercial?
I'm pretty undecided whether or not I am proud of these celebrities. Sure they expressed their honest opinion but I had always though that most of them would not have any say in politics as to not offend any of their fans. This sets an example for me as a future filmmaker for me though that maybe my opinions are worth being voiced. Such as the movie Bully, the cast and crew of the movie took a chance and discussed a topic that isn't really widely known or shown in public.
However, aren't celebrities usually criticized heavily? Or are they only criticized on trivial issues such as their fashion and familial issues? I guess I am glad they can be open in a political sense but I wonder if how they avoid being biased in the industry.
This here is interesting.... If you think about it, this is kind of scary. Like you said, the celebrities are reaching out to the public and sharing their opinions, but they are reaching out to younger voters. there are many young adults who don't really think things through , or they don't think about what will happen in the long run. Those young adults, might just vote on the person their idolized celebrity goes for, or the opposite could happen; the young adult might not like the celebrity and will vote on the opposing side. They will cast their vote without even considering their own political views and without considering what will benefit them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it might be a bit dangerous for a celebrity to expose their political views because it may hurt their career, or strong anti-fans might do something to them. Its a crazy world out there, you don't know what people are capable of.
Anyways, having a celebrity just to help out one's campaign would make me want to vote for one less because politics is not about the fame and who you know, its about making and maintaining the country a safe and good place to live.