Hollywood’s awards season has come to a close. The red carpets are rolled up, the gowns and tuxes have been dry-cleaned and returned to their respective designers, and the think-pieces have been written and analyzed. Awards shows always brings up discussion around themes of art, celebrity worship, representation and recognition, and this season was no different.
This year found me watching the Oscars much more intently than I ever have before (thank you, Lupita). A friend of mine and I chatted throughout the show, critiquing fashion hits and misses, Ellen DeGeneres’ hosting hijinks, and wondering where the “Wrap It Up, B!” recording was for some of the lengthier speeches. When Brad and Angelina hit the screen, a pointed comment from a friend – one that I’ve heard time and time again – struck me.
“See, I love those two. They do so much charity work and don’t say a word. That’s how celebrities should do it.”
Before I could even catch myself, I had a retort. (And the beginning for this piece.)
“Isn’t that the same problem you have with Black celebrities? Aren’t you the same one who said Black celebrities owe it to us to show what they do to give back?”
She didn’t have a reply.
The conversation linking celebrity and charity is an entangled one. What are the motives behind some charitable moves? How do we receive the optics around snapshots of rich, white celebrities in poor countries inhabited by people of colour? Does a position of celebrity mandate one to give back? What is our responsibility as average citizens to step up and do what we can? The questions are many, and the possible answers are exponential. However, let’s revisit the idea of Black celebrities and philanthropic disclosure – why do some of us expect more from “our” celebrities than others?
While Brad, Angelina, and other white celebrities may be lauded for their subtle moves on the charitable front, it seems that general discussion doesn’t leave room for that same subtlety with Black celebrities. We often demand to know what Black celebrities are doing to support the communities that molded them, and celebrities often feel called to share their wealth with those in need. For some who make their charity known, the act is rooted in good karma, believing that sharing blessings begets more blessings for themselves and their goodwill recipients. For others, the act is truly one of responsibility – taking care of people or a city that no one else represents or defends.
There’s often palpable discontent and vitriol directed towards Black celebrities who don’t disclose their philanthropy and charity outright – especially when their multi-million dollar earnings and presumed spending habits are made public record. The assumption is generally made that these celebs are not doing enough to help the local and global communities at large – but how can we know for sure?
Jay-Z’s infamous statement that his “presence is charity” riled folks up late last year, but a lyric from his song “Nickels and Dimes” is more intriguing: “The purest form of giving is anonymous to anonymous.” While many are inclined to agree – making a spectacle of giving back often reeks of insincerity – certain fanbase segments generally do not seem satisfied with that paradigm when it comes to Black celebrities.
This dissatisfaction may be based in the fact that people are often much more invested in celebrities who resonate with them on a personal level. When someone who comes from your country, city, or block makes it big; when someone speaks to your life experiences in their art; when someone who looks like you reaches levels of success that were previously unimagined – it’s easy to feel intimately connected. That intimate connection can give way to expectations that celebrities ought to support those who support them, and disappointments when it seems that they don’t.
So, what side of the coin do we rest on? Do we hold our celebrities to a standard of ensuring that they remain transparent in their community and global charitable acts? Or do we hold faith in the gift of anonymity and give Black celebrities the same leeway for subtlety that we praise in others? Arguments can be made for and against both sides, but the most telling piece of this puzzle is using insight to examine why we feel the way we do – regardless of which side of the coin we choose.