Celebrities as Spokespersons

(Artist Credit: Julia Watkins)

Are celebrities as spokespersons for various causes, good choices? Why do some people have a problem with celebrities speaking up about causes or issues they are passionate about?

This is something that's been on my mind today and I'm curious to hear from other people, their views on this.

Personally, I don't find it any different than you or I speaking up about an issue we are passionate about. And if someone is using their "celebrity status" to bring more awareness to a cause, I say more power to them.

I can understand it if someone famous speaks up about some issue, then turns around and talks, behaves, or otherwise contradicts what they were supporting or publicly speaking out on. However, it's been proven that in a number of cases, without the status of someone famous, an issue might otherwise have not been brought to the public limelight.

The more education we can spread about the causes and issues we feel are important, the better off it is, for both the cause and the people it may affect.

That's my belief anyway.

So when someone on Digg calls Hayden Panettiere an "airheaded celebrity" who is speaking up against the Japan whaling and their killing of dolphins, well it irritates me.

You don't have to like the celebrity, their movies, their shows, their books, etc .. but if you believe in the cause and you want more people to be aware of that cause, then I say kudos to the likes of Ms. Panettiere for taking the time to get involved and to help raise awareness.

Hayden Panettiere continues her attack on Japanese government

Hayden Still Saving the World


People like Magic Johnson, Arthur Ashe, Ryan White, and Rock Hudson put a face to the AIDS crisis. The likes of Judith Light, Garth Brooks, and Jennifer Beals have been outspoken in supporting equal rights and non-discrimination for the Gay Community. Folks like Pierce Brosnan, Matt Damon, and Ted Danson have brought a lot more awareness to preserving and protecting our oceans and marine life. There are many examples like these for many different causes.

I, for one, appreciate what they do, the time they put into their passions, the money they donate to help support these causes, and the heightened awareness they help spread.

It bugs me when some people feel the need to harp on certain celebrities about their causes and accuse them of either grandstanding or using their celebrity status for publicity. Now that may be the case sometimes, but I prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt and appreciate the end result more.

Negative energy breeds darkness. Positive energy breeds lightness.

I don't know about you, but the latter sounds like a recipe in contributing towards a better future and a much better world.

Mahalo,

Dolphin

Ancient Rhymes

Hayden Panettiere is wanted by the Japanese police for her involvement approximately three weeks ago in her attempt to save a pod of dolphins from certain slaughter.

Read more here: Hayden Panettiere wanted ...

Personally, I applaud her bravery and courage for getting involved, taking action, and speaking out.

In related news, still on the subject of Japan slaughtering dolphins, the following is an interview posted several months ago on Ric O'Barry and his activism on this very matter:

The Samurai Dolphin Man and the Japan Connection

This is an older article, but I feel it's important to share it. Makes me sick that there are humans on this planet who so coldly kill and torture other living beings and then turn around and joke about it.

Brazillian fishermen kill 83 dolphins then joke about it

This is a wonderful story about a dog and his special relationship with with a family of dolphins:

Dogs and Dolphins

Last, but certainly not least, last month a dolphin gave birth. Not such a rare event, right? Well capturing it on film is what is so rare. Check out the amazing photographs of this event:

A Dolphin Joins the World

It reminds me of a beautiful song that was performed by John Denver before he died. It's called Ancient Rhymes.

Two days before the moon was round
You felt the urge of suns light beams
The muffled world of dolphin sound
Slipped down and back into your dreams

For nine full months that passed before
You learned of all of lifes ancient rhymes
Then mother sensed a farther shore
And brought you forth into these times

So taste the air of your new world
And gently guide us to your mind
It knows the winds and sails unfurled
And holds to heart the dolphin kind

Welcome precious earthmade child
We met you first in your fathers songs
And mothers smile and waters wild
Its in this place you now belong

I know you know of all these things
And feel the faith of a dolphins sigh
For you were born on silver wings
To taste the high blown crystal sky

To sing one day to all of us
The songs you learned in dolphin lair
Giving hope to life as all we must
And teach us how their grace to share

I attempted to find a video online of this song, but have not had any luck yet. If anyone knows where it can be found, let me know. I've searched You Tube, but this song wasn't on there.

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday and be safe :-)

Mahalo,

Dolphin