Entertainers like 50 Cent are not just caving in to political pressure for accepting millions to perform for Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. This is a celebrity avalanche — and a knee jerk one at that.
Curtis Jackson is the latest cultural icon to announce that he will turn around the thick stacks he collected eagerly from Col. Gadhafi and donate it to charity. According to a prepared statement released to the Associated Press, 50 Cent will make a donation to UNICEF, which, ironically, is helping with the relief efforts during Libya’s political implosion.
This is a nothing but reactionary gesture from mostly apolitical superstars who could care less about Libya’s volatile history with the United States. But they are left with no choice but to seek moralistic asylum from the spectacular fallout of Gadhafi’s vilified and crumbling regime.
“In light of the ongoing events in Libya, 50 Cent will be making a donation to UNICEF, which is providing vital relief supplies to meet the needs of women and children at risk during this crisis,” said a representative for 50 Cent.
Here’s a bet, however, that Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, who also accepted millions from the embattled North African leader, will not be giving his loot back to Libya nor donating it to charity like superstars Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Usher and Nelly Fertado.
50 Cent performed at a private event during the 2005 Venice Film Festival that was later linked to the Gadhafi clan. Gadhafi is battling rebels who are revolting against his rule, and faces an investigation for possible war crimes.
Most of these stars had probably never even heard of Libya before they were lured their with Gadhafi‘s “candy” and still couldn‘t point to it on a map — even if the map was just of North Africa. But after Gadhafi‘s ruthless response to the uprising throughout the country, the stars needed to distance themselves from the increasingly foul stench.
–terry shropshire
