Celebrity Culture...?

St Gregorio Barbarige, 17th June, 2020

I am not much enamoured with the 'Celebrity Culture' in which we live. I find it peculiar that a well know person, a celebrity, whether actor, footballer, blogger, author, fashion model or Pop Star is presumed by many to be a fount of knowledge and wisdom on a particular, almost any, subject. A famous 'Rapper' commenting on George Floyd's murder galvanised many. It took me back to images of Martin Luther King, himself a celebrity but more than that, a true activist in the cause of justice. King himself was murdered. This makes me acknowledge that there is often a determined opposing view to those publicly supported, even to rallies against racism. However I believe any publicity for a Just Cause is acceptable, even the voice of a Celebrity.

Over the recent issue of free school meals I was delighted that the subject was given publicity by the support of a famous and talented International footballer, Marcus Rashford. I had never heard of him but his tweeting and twittering and his appearance on the front pages of newspapers and on television and radio programmes has, it seems, had a positive galvanising  and significant effect.

Since I first became aware of him three things have deeply impressed me and made me appreciate his authenticity in the matter. He was not just a seeker of fame. He himself came from a household of poverty wherein his Mother had battled and worked to feed her children. He knew first hand the need for help, for food. Second he was prepared to take a public stand. Publicity is a two edged sword. Supporters and opponents come out. Public lives seem to be plagued by negative comments and trolls. For example it is the case that the M.P. Jo Cox lost her life because of her public stance and profile. Mr Rashford was courageous to put his head above the parapet and take a stand, probably outside his comfort zone.

Most of all I rejoiced at his comment when it was mentioned that the government Health Secretary, Mr Hancock, had called him Daniel rather than Marcus. His reaction was laughter and the aside that he had been called far worse things. To have that down to earth reaction and sense of humour, sense of the ridiculous, of the bizarre in life is just great. We all need it. To be able to laugh at ourselves, not to take ourselves too seriously is vital. Finally and in conjunction with his humour his public thanking of M.Ps made me feel he was a gracious, courteous man.

It is not always violence, vulgarity or anger which gets results. Please can we have a world in which courtesy and compassion and concern gets us listened to and achieves the moving of mountains.