Tales and Songs from Weddings and Funerals

Celebrities vs. Unsung Heroes

I just finished reading Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who would cure the world and it has made me stop and think. I bet I could ask 500 people who Dr. Farmer was and I bet 1 in 50 may know (if I am lucky). However, if I asked those same people who I don’t know Lindsay Lohan was – I bet my odds would be more like 1 in 3 would know who she is. But why do we know her instead of him?

Why are stunts and arrogance more important than real life?

Is it because the work of Dr. Farmer makes us feel bad – one man hell bent on making sure patients are treated equally from the more poor to the rich. He is determined to stop what he considers preventable disease and has dedicated his life to working with the poor – the really poor, the Haitian poor (among others). Well if that is the case we must like Ms. Lohan because she makes us feel much better about ourselves, we could never be that ditzy or stupid.
If this fact is true, then as a society we are in trouble. We should look at the Quest of Dr. Farmer, open our minds, hearts and wallets and do what we can. Instead we wait until our favourite actor or actress becomes involved then we can feel a little better. One per cent of the money on their next movie will go to give food to some county that person can’t pronounce let along point to on a map.
I shouldn’t be so cynical at least some of those performers are trying to make a difference. Angelina Jolie, in my opinion, has brought the attention of North America to the plight of Refugees; well, at least a few more people know what a refugee is.
The ones that really bother me are the ones that can’t seem to remember where they need to be for a movie primer or where they left that video of them *making it* with their boyfriend? Fling? Guy from the bar?
Although it must be frustrating too for those people who toil for those in need, around the world, when some actress shows up with a photographer and feeds a child before leaving to their air conditioned resort. Then have the issues they have been fighting long and hard for make the front page the next day. Although if you ask those aid workers they will simply tell you at least now the issue is getting attention.
So I ask you all to familiarize yourselves with Non-Governmental Organizations, aid & relief groups and really try to understand what they are fighting for, then tell your friend.
At least find one “real” world story for every 10 celebrity breakups you can recount in perfect detail. Please.

posted by Angela @ 8:12 p.m.