You would have to be totally inhuman not to feel for the people of Haiti and the horror that has occurred there. The money, manpower, and goodwill that the U.S. has given shows, as always, that when disaster strikes somewhere, we always step up to help.
The problem, of course, is knowing how to give money so that it actually goes directly to the people there and not in the pockets of the corrupt Haitian government. The advice I heard is to donate to a charity you know is legit and let that charity dole out the money how they see fit. A good friend of mine said Doctors Without Borders is a particularly trustworthy charity.
Whenever a tragedy like this happens, you can always expect Hollywood to want a piece of the action. I think it’s great that stars like Sandra Bullock and Leonardo DiCaprio have personally donated millions of their own money to the relief effort. After all, we know they can afford it and it is certainly well-intentioned.
But since the Haiti earthquake first struck, we have been bombarded on TV, the newspapers, and the Internet with information on how to donate money. There is not a single person in this country who does not know how they can send money if they so choose. So why do we need George Clooney and company to go on TV for two hours with a telethon?
I’ll tell you why: because the Hollywood elite need to turn huge tragedies into media events that highlight how caring and generous show biz folk are. I am all for raising money for Haiti, but last night’s two-hour telethon was not about that. It was about showing how wonderful Hollywood is.
At the Golden Globes last week, all of the actors and actresses wore ribbons in support of Haiti. Hmmm, remember back in the ’80s when the AIDS ribbons were in fashion? Everyone wore them. I even wore them! That was an important reminder of the AIDS crisis and brought attention to it everywhere around the world. Then after a few years, everyone stopped wearing them. Sorry, but did I miss the newspaper the day it was reported there is now a cure for AIDS? I know that people can live full lives with HIV these days, but in places like Africa, the AIDS situation remains devastating.
Then came the pink ribbon for breast cancer. And the purple ribbon for black inner city kids. And now a ribbon for Haiti. The fact is, these Hollywood do-gooders rally around anything that seems the “in” thing to do. Eighteen months ago, if you recall, it was Obama. I am not the one making this political – they are.
Again, I think it’s terrific to do something to raise money for Haiti, but last night’s telethon actually diverts the attention from the real crisis there and instead focuses it on the stars. Look at us. We’re so great. We may shield ourselves from you in our gated Bel Air mansions, but we really do care about all of the poor and downtrodden. After all, look at these ribbons we’re wearing.
And let me be clear: I actually like George Clooney. Aside from being a fine actor who exudes genuine old Hollywood glamor, I know he really means well. Sure, he walks around like he’s…well, like he’s George Clooney. But can you blame him?
To all those who have tried to help in any small way in the wake of this disaster, that is a commendable thing. But let’s remember the people this is really about. They do not attend award shows or wear Armani tuxedos. As charming and handsome as George Clooney may be, it’s not about him and his friends.
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