What’s up y’all, it’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver News, and while many celebrities
have spoken out against racism, some are taking part in a new movement that’s being met
with criticism for its execution.
Now, more than ever, celebrities are speaking out and calling for change amid the Black
Lives Matter movement.
However, while intentions are good when using their platforms to shed light on the social
injustices, some of their actions haven’t exactly been met with praise and positivity.
Case in point: A new video PSA was recently made in partnership with the NAACP, which
features 14 white celebrities who vow to quote, “take responsibility for the ways they’ve
perpetuated racism through silence or inaction.”
A press release announcing the PSA was released Thursday after participants began sharing
the movement to social media with the hashtag #ITakeResponsibility.
The point of the movement, according to the release, is QUOTE: “to stand up for our
Black friends and family in America.
Our goal is to rally the white community, to provide education and encourage action.
Our mission is to ensure this takes place.”
Celebs including Kristen Bell, Kesha, Aaron Paul, Sarah Paulson, Justin Theroux, Julianne
Moore, and more were among the many familiar faces featured in the two-minute video.
The somber montage is shown in all black-and-white as each celebrity takes turns to vow to “take
responsibility” for “every not so funny joke, every unfair stereotype,” and every
time they “explained away police brutality.”
“I take responsibility.”
It’s clear that big players in Hollywood are rallying behind this movement, and with
their fame hopefully comes action!
Some users began spreading the message and sharing ways in which they will continue to
better educate themselves.
One person tweeted, “#ITakeResponsibility for not listening to/believing Black people
and to make it better, today I will support organizations on the front lines.”
Although the video garnered some praise for its purpose of bringing awareness to the acts
of racism witnessed every day in the world and for everyone to hold themselves accountable,
it was highly criticized by fans who felt that it was an empty action that made very
little impact in the fight against systemic racism.
The video has also been shared to YouTube and has received over three times as many
‘thumbs downs’ as it has ‘thumbs ups’ as many argue that turning black suffering
into a viral social media “challenge” isn’t helpful and portrays a complete opposite
message.
Once the video made its way around the internet, people began taking to social media to share
their distaste for the disingenuous way people feel these celebrities are relaying the message.
One user wrote, “Are they acting in this PSA?
Did black people ask for this?
Can someone help me understand?”
Another user wrote, “look, it's your money and you can do what you want, but can these
celebrities stop making these corny videos and like... give some coin... i mean... your
purse, your choice but... please i'm tired of these black and white videos with a depressing
ass piano ensemble in the background.”
Some even pointed out the fact that some celebs in the video were clearly reading from a script
by the way their eyes were moving:
One user said, “Thank you for the laughs.
Honestly, thank you.
Soooooo hilarious.
Hey, someone tell Stanley Tucci to learn his lines before giving a “heartfelt” statement
that’s one sentence.”
Some even referenced a previous celebrity-inspired montage that went viral back when the coronavirus
pandemic first hit, that was also met with a wave of controversy and confusion.
You probably remember that one time Gal Gadot started a video featuring many celebs singing
parts of the song “Imagine”....
One person tweeted, “Talking earnestly for 30 seconds on a cellphone video is not taking
responsibility.
Donating your money, marching in protests, signing and signal-boosting petitions...that
is how you take responsibility.
But thanks for this month's ‘Celebrities sing Imagine’ video, I guess?”
This is not to say that you’re only helping out if you open your purse, as there are MANY
other ways to do your part in the fight against racism and social justice.
One of the best ways to do so is to sign petitions, register to vote, constantly educate yourself
with an open mind and learn about ways to become a better ally to the Black community.
We’ve linked resources down in the description below for ways that YOU can educate yourselves
and get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement.
And to see our very own video message and why the movement is so important to us here
at Clevver, I’d love you to click right over here.
And feel free to share all your thoughts on the #ITakeResponsibility video down here in
the comments.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, see you next time.