But like all other celebrities on Trump, she didn't tackle the real issue. She joins a long list of celebrities denouncing Trump, from Robert De Niro describing him as "totally nuts" and America Ferrera who said he was "living in an outdated fantasy of a bigoted America". Well, fantasy or not, the fact that he is going to be President is a reality. But why are they denouncing Trump? Is Hollywood the last living bastion of liberal minded people in America?
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| They wouldn't want to find a wall between them and the U.S. |
When Trump's slogan was 'Make America Great Again', I saw comments like "When was it great? In the 50s when everyone was racist! Idiots! Bigots! Fools!". But the people from that video are incredibly proud people. They lived in a time where there was an abundance of jobs in mines and factories - it was nothing special, but it was enough to make a life for themselves. They felt like their kids could live the American Dream if they wanted. Now look at some of them, resorting to picking up cans off the street. There certainly was a time gone by when America was great for them, when they could actually live comfortably. Now that is gone.
These people could have voted for the Democrats, which are seen as the class for the poor or working classes much like Labour. But Democrats also focus on welfare schemes like food stamps, and jobs within the renewable energy and digital sector. Do you think the people of McDowell County want to be on food stamps with no possibility of their coal mines opening because renewable energy is the new industry somewhere on the other side of the country? No, those people want a goddamn job and they want to be proud. When Donald Trump says that he will reopen the mines and that he will encourage business to the United States, that is what will make America great again in their eyes. They've heard that Trump has said some really bad stuff about other sections of society, but when ever has society paid them any attention?
I am of course all for continued investment in renewable technologies and disinvestment in fossil fuels. The world will suffer the effects of climate change horribly in the coming years. But coal is all what those people know. The government didn't invest in them time or education after the mines were shut, so they don't know how to work in other sections of society. And when they see these celebrities with their flashy cars and fancy outfits, can these people relate to them as they supported Hillary Clinton and denounced Trump? Not at all, they're in a completely different world. One which has abandoned them to live in poverty and which only mocks them as racists. Trump may be a billionaire, but at least he attempts to speak their language.
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| There are no wells in McDowell County, Jay Z. But you're welcome to headline there |
Instead of mocking Trump (which Meryl didn't to her credit), I wish celebrities or prominent figures would try to emphasise with those who voted for him. Hell, why not try to explain or even ask why he was popular in the first place, all without calling his voters racist. It is true that celebrities are given a platform and so should use it as best they can - but why not try to use that platform to tackle the true ills at the heart of society? The rapper Killer Mike did this perfectly in his support of Bernie Sanders, because both of them foster political discussion about the nature of society in their work. Meanwhile, support of Hillary from celebrities like Katy Perry felt awfully forced, because when has she ever done a song or talked in depth about politics apart from that weird time with Russell Brand?*
Celebrities have an amazing platform to speak from and to enlighten society, but for them all to simply denounce Trump in their own way does nothing. It only contributes to the liberal bubble which got him elected in the first place. ("There's no way such an idiot and racist could be elected, right? Oh my goodness, he's gotten elected! How could this happen? Shut up, racists!")
Of course, celebrities have every right to speak out against Trump and should. Its just that to be truly enlightening they would speak of the deeper problems of society - acknowledge the sheer inequality in society and what we can do to fix it, not to dismiss it under the topic of racism. Furthermore, in celebrities joining the anti-Trump choir, is it really inspirational? Are these wealthy people risking their lives or career stating these comments? No. And that's what truly powerful and inspirational behaviour is. People like Martin Luther King were imprisoned, had their families' home firebombed, and were eventually assassinated for what they did to change society. I'm obviously not expecting Hollywood to martyr itself. But saying something is easy, and isn't that inspirational. When you start doing something which is outside your comfort zone, then you lead by example, and that is when you start making a change in society.
*If I am to be truthful, I must admit I am a fan of Katy Perry.
Sources:
http://www.worldhunger.org/hunger-in-america-2015-united-states-hunger-and-poverty-facts/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2016/oct/12/west-virginia-donald-trump-supporters-mcdowell-county-poverty-video
http://www.amny.com/news/elections/celebrities-against-donald-trump-1.11550611
