GLOBAL NOTEBOOK it lose ground with the international other related causes seem more like tering the world while also bringing community, but it will also draw at common sense than revolutionary domestic and international issues to tention to already existing concerns sentiment. As stated by Feng Yuan, a the attention of a generation Y and domestically. The most rational and women’s rights activist, “We cannot Z audience that might otherwise be most forward-looking decision would understand why the authorities are unaware. be to cooperate with feminist groups so tough this time. What the activ Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, instead of criminalizing them. ists want is exactly what state policy Emma Watson, Angelina Jolie Pitt, Feminist organizations such as on women says: that women should and others have demonstrated — China’s Women’s Rights Action be equal.” and continue to demonstrate — Group are not arising out of nowhere. Yet moving toward true gender their commitments to humanitarian Their causes reflect the commonplace equality requires nothing short of causes and international issues of in concerns of the domestic population. a small revolution in the attitude of equality, and other celebrities follow While they share ideologies with the CCP. It needs to end police sup their lead. Although the movement feminist movements in other parts of pression as its foremost policy and toward celebrity humanitarian the world, they function within their begin to prioritize local and national ism has grown most in the Global unique cultural context. Feminist cooperation and communication North, examples of celebrities in activist groups are cautious about with the feminist groups. The activ other parts of the world dedicating not appearing to be too “radical” ists themselves are aware that they themselves to international issues and alienate the larger population. cannot realize their goals without the include Uruguayan actor Osvaldo Though women’s rights have gained support of the state and are open to Laport and African singer Youssou traction in the generation, the wide such a partnership. The state should N’Dour. If more celebrities were spread stereotype of feminists as seize this opportunity rather than to use their fame, influence, and threatening extremists is ever pres punish those who believe in it. money to endorse non-profit and ent in China. As emphasized by Ye Not too long ago, the women of nongovernmental organizations, Jinghuan, a friend of the detainees China helped transform the country raise awareness for charities aiming and fellow activist, “Those five kids from an impoverished, rural society to eradicate inequalities, and bring are so moderate ... They were never to a global economic powerhouse. important international issues — po radical or violent.” But it has come time to realize that litical, economic, and social — to the Indeed, their proposals are “mod the rights of half of the population attention of their generation Y and Z erate” and practical. Building more hold importance beyond the state audiences, we would see much more public bathroom facilities for women, development agenda. If women are awareness among the young people addressing domestic violence, and half the sky, the Chinese government who will become world leaders. must start holding up its part, !l The first step to developing an environment in which celebrities can inform and mobilize youth is to H umanitarianism bridge the gap between celebrities and international, political, and hu Celebrity Humanitarianism manitarian issues. Bridging the Gap Bridging the Gap As Andrew Cooper describes in his staff writer 2009 article for E-International Rela EMMA DWIGHT tions, “Taking Celebrity Diplomacy Seriously in International Relations,” leven year old Jane returns generations. As watching the news there has been a massive shift in the from soccer practice on a drifts out of style, people of more last decade, from public views that Thursday night, sits down in recent generations focus on what is entirely separate celebrities and in E ternational issues and criticize such front of the television, and turns on immediately relevant to them: lis the CBS Evening News. tening to music, following television partnerships, to views that now allow What is wrong with this picture? series, watching movies, and paying celebrities to play active roles in the The methods by which people of attention to what the artists, actors, global arena. The public needs to see generations Y and Z — those born and celebrities they know are saying celebrities as legitimate, educated, in the late 1990s, also known as mil- and doing beyond their roles as enter and aware individuals, not just super lennials, and those born after 2000 tainers. With widespread visibility, ficial entertainers; this is an impor — become informed about the world celebrities have the potential to take tant step on the way to bridging the are different from those of earlier on effective humanitarian roles, bet gap between celebrities and global

n~8] SPRING 2016 GLOBAL NOTEBOOK issues. The titling of over 175 celebri in which males and females are ex ment with the HeForShe campaign ties as UN Goodwill Ambassadors is pected to present their opinions and has increased awareness of the an indicator of their changing status. frustrations, is crucial to understand. campaign and the issue of gender More evidence of this develop People across all generations and inequality globally. Her work is an ing bridge between celebrities and backgrounds should be aware of it, example of the good celebrities can political and humanitarian issues and Lawrence’s essay brings the issue do with their public visibility, draw appeared in an October 2015 CNN to the attention of a young, cosmopol ing attention and making the world article entitled “Dem Debate: What itan, feminist audience — the readers realize more about an issue about Katy Perry, Ashton Kutcher, Demi of Lenny — that might not otherwise which they are passionate. Part of the Lovato and others would ask.” CNN hear about it. Generation Y and Z reason celebrity involvement in inter asked multiple celebrities what ques audiences, who follow and adore national issues informs, empowers, tions and issues they would raise at Lawrence as an actress, want to listen and mobilizes the generation Y and the first Democratic debate. Some to her and understand her opinions. Z is the enthusiasm celebrities like questions concerned domestic is As a result, they are exposed to the Watson display. Not only has Watson sues: singer and songwriter Katy breadth of gender inequality across increased awareness for the HeFor Perry questioned the defunding of all arenas, perhaps sparking a deeper She campaign and the issue of gender Planned Parenthood, Sir Elton John interest in the issue. equality, she has also inspired future asked about prevention following activists to follow their passions and the rise in HIV/AIDS in the South, The HeForShe Campaign seek to repair what they see as broken and singer and actress Demi Lovato Widely recognized from her role in the world. In leading by example, wanted to know about improvement as Hermione Granger in the Harry she encourages not just young girls, in mental health care. Others focused Potter series, Emma Watson now but all aspiring activists to step up. on issues concerning the United also dedicates herself to gender States’ role in the world, such as US equality activism as a UN Goodwill Figure and Role Model: Ange foreign policy grounded in American Ambassador, supporting the UN lina Jolie Pitt values and the relationship between Women’s HeForShe campaign. The Perhaps the most notable celebrity the United States and Israel. Though movement by UN Women to open up in bridging the gap between fame and asking celebrities about political issues of gender equality and femi humanitarianism is actress, film- issues is not new, this is a recent nism to the entire example of the bridge forming. This population, not is the type of link that establishes just women, has celebrities as more than entertainers achieved greater and invites the public to view them publicity and me as thoughtful citizens. dia coverage with Watson’s commit Jennifer Lawrence on Gender ment. In Septem Inequality ber 2014, Watson In early October 20x5, Academy gave a powerful Award-winning actress Jennifer speech at the UN Lawrence published an essay titled Headquarters to “Why Do I Make Less Than My Male launch the He Co-Stars?” in Lena Dunham and ForShe campaign. Jenni Konner’s biweekly feminist She acknowledged newsletter, Lenny. In the essay, that people might Lawrence discusses her frustration question her legit with the idea that while it is socially imacy and quali acceptable for men to voice their fications, known opinions and objections, it is not so to many just as for women; women risk being viewed Hermione, but in a negative light for violating some in response she norm of social courtesy by “com stated, “All I know plaining,” which is why Lawrence did is that I care about not ask for higher pay in her contract this problem. And for her 2013 film American Hustle. I want to make it This inequality, not only in wage better.” Actress Angelina Jolie, a vocal humanitrian for over a de gaps, but also in the mere manner Watson’s involve cade, visits a flood relief camp in Pakistan.

SPRING 2016 19 GLOBAL NOTEBOOK maker, and humanitarian Angelina send more aid to Africa as a solution that celebrities promote is the very Jolie Pitt. As a 2014 TIME article to its problems is grossly oversim fact that the problems the world faces explains, Jolie Pitt was exposed to plified and uninformed. Critics are are complex. When celebrities bring the immense suffering in Cambodia licensed to be suspicious about cred these issues to public attention, it is when she was filming Lara Croft: ibility and honesty in such displays more likely that people look them Tomb Raider in 2001. Since that of celebrity humanitarianism, and it up and read about them, leading to experience, she has become involved is important to be cautious around an understanding of the complexity with the Office of the United Nations these misrepresentations. inherent in these issues. High Commissioner for Refugees However, the celebrities looking to (UNHCR), where she continues to involve themselves in humanitarian Conclusion advocate on behalf of refugees and issues in order to make more money Celebrities are in a unique posi displaced people across the world. or augment their public images, or tion. With their visibility, influence, In 2012, she became Special Envoy celebrities who fail to dedicate them and resources, they have the abil of the UN High Commissioner, taking selves to the complexity of the issues ity to take on humanitarian roles on a larger role in more macro issues. the world faces, are not the ones throughout the world. Numerous Jolie Pitt serves as a role model for informing and inspiring younger gen figures, across the entertainment young audiences and is an example of erations. These criticisms are valid, field, engage in this activity: George the good celebrities can do with their but it is unfair to write off all celebrity Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, fame, influence, and resources. She is involvement in humanitarian causes and Brad Pitt with their charity, Not arguably today’s largest humanitar because of the possible negative mis On Our Watch; Taylor Swift with ian celebrity figure, and her ongoing interpretations to be made. In 2008, her song “Ronan” to raise awareness visibility allows her to continue to celebrity humanitarian Ben Affleck for Neuroblastoma and the Ronan inform and inspire her generation responded to criticism of celebrity Thompson Foundation; and Jessie J Y and Z audiences. Like Lawrence involvement, acknowledging the le with Comic Relief. In fact, a signifi and Watson, Jolie Pitt demonstrates gitimacy of suspecting celebrities cant portion of celebrities choose to that celebrities do not have to be to involve themselves for their own engage in humanitarian work, and constrained by their occupations, gain, but asking that the public sepa the impact they can have in raising but can reach out into the world and rate such suspicions from the real awareness, working toward global advocate for issues important to issues threatening the world. To be equity, and inspiring young popula them, promoting awareness, while suspicious of celebrity involvement is tions to follow their lead is promising. also bettering the world. justified, but to allow such suspicions It is crucial to continue bridging the to prevent support of a charity is not. gap between celebrities and interna Criticisms of Celebrity In Additionally, while concluding that tional issues, because they have the volvement it is possible to solve complex global ability to inspire advocacy and effect Even so, there are criticisms to ce issues with simple solutions is poten change in a way nobody else can iSi lebrity involvement in humanitarian tially harmful, part of the awareness issues. A Rolling Stone biography of U2 lead singer Bono and the humani J apan tarian role he has played brings up the idea that celebrity humanitari- The Political Pressure Driving anism is largely conceited and self- focused, with celebrities seeking to Japanese Collective Self-Defense advance their own personal agendas. In 2008, tax records from Bono’s ONE Campaign suggested that only staff writer one percent of revenue had actually ANTHONY VOLK gone to charity. Another critique is nation’s military policy can repeat of the atrocities committed that attention on celebrities for their often be controversial. This by the Japanese during the war. humanitarian and philanthropic Ais especially true in the case Since the end of the war, and the endeavors oversimplifies the vastly of Japan. Since the end of World imposition by the United States of complex problems of inequity that War II, neighboring regional powers a new Western-style constitution plague the world, by suggesting that like South Korea and China have in Japan, the Japanese military has there are quick, easy solutions; in a monitored changes in Japanese been largely powerless, bound by 2005 New York Times opinion piece, domestic military policy for signs the constitution’s Article IX to never Paul Theroux, a former Peace Corps of remilitarization. This has all engage in belligerent war for its own volunteer, argues that Bono’s work to been meant as a way to avoid a (or its allies’) purposes, except in self-

[20] SPRING 2016 Copyright of Harvard International Review is the property of Harvard International Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.