CELEBRITIES USING THEIR PLATFORM FOR ADVOCACY

Throughout history, celebrities have played a major role in the fight for equal rights. Long before the days of social media, celebrities such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Muhammad Ali, used their voices to advocate for change. This moment is no different. There is a new generation of celebrity activists carrying on the work of the Civil Rights Era. But for a celebrity, being outspoken about racial inequality can come at a price. For some celebrity activists, their words have cost them their careers. We celebrate some of the stars who have taken a stand for justice.

Sammy Davis Jr. was an active supporter of the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Chicago Urban League. He even got some of his white artist friends, including Frank Sinatra, to help with his fundraising efforts. 

Singer/actor, Harry Belafonte was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a major player in the Civil Rights Movement. He helped to organize the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama. He continues to be outspoken on the need for racial equality and justice today. 

Legendary singer/songwriter, Nina Simone became known as the voice of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-1960s. She addressed issues of racial injustice in her songs, including Mississippi Goddam, a song she wrote in response to the 1963 killing of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

NBA superstar, LeBron James, joined forces with other athletes and celebrities to create, More Than A Vote. The organization will encourage African-Americans to register and vote in the November 2020 election and protect them from potential disenfranchisement. 

NBA legend, Michael Jordan, has pledged more than $100 million over the next 10 years to several organizations that work towards racial equality and social justice. 

NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick took his activism to the football field. He took a stand against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the National Anthem, rather than standing as is customary. 

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, rapper Kanye West joined protesters on the streets of Chicago. He also made donations to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. 

You don’t have to be a celebrity to affect change. Throughout history, everyday people have been influential in advancing the causes of the Civil Rights Movement, MeToo, and Black Lives Matter, and have used their voices to make the rest of the world stop and listen. We surveyed our readers to find out how they’re feeling about some of the issues our country is currently facing, and how they’re using their platforms to get their messages out. 

Our readers understand the importance of the 2020 election. An overwhelming 98% are registered voters, and 92% say they plan to cast a vote this November. 28% of our survey respondents plan to help register new voters ahead of the election. 

They know that there is a lot at stake for communities of color right now, but nearly half of our survey respondents believe racial inequality is the most important issue, ahead of education, health care, and the environment. And when it comes to finding solutions, 60% of our readers think community residents should take the lead, rather than celebrities or politicians.

Nearly half of our respondents have participated in a recent protest. But when asked about social media, our readers told us that they prefer to keep politics out of their feed. 42% said they prefer to use social media to post pictures of family and friends, while only 19% said they post news and political information.