There was a time, not too long ago, when celebrities and athletes actively worked to promote a better, safer community. This behavior was exhibited through public service announcements, visible community involvement, and interviews laced with positive messages directed towards the youth.
Much of that behavior has subsided — unless of course, it’s being filmed for a reality show (hello, T.I.’s “Road to Redemption”). Only then, when the cameras are rolling, will a celebrity be vocal and active about his or her involvement in the community. Now this doesn’t apply to all celebrities … just most.
That point was reaffirmed when I stumbled across an old PSA made in 1987 by the L.A. Lakers, who were collectively decrying the use of drugs. As cheesy as the commercial may be, it points back to a time when celebrities were working to make a difference in the community — without the concern of how cool it would make them look, or how many networks or celebrity blogs would pick up the story.
Those days are long gone, and we just have to accept the fact that celebrities who sincerely care about the community are now the exception, not the rule. As chilling as that realization may be, it’s where we have arrived. Don’t believe me? Just look at this PSA and tell me if you could picture LeBron, Kim Kardashian and a handful of other celebrities doing the same thing without first negotiating the rights to profit from it. No? Didn’t think so. –dewayne rogers
1987 L.A. Lakers Say No To Drugs
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