It’s nice to see celebrities use their popularity for good causes. Athletes, actors, musicians – many have taken the opportunity to speak out about various issues and encourage their young fans to get more involved in their communities and treat others fairly. These are always applicable lessons, but adults have a tendency to dismiss entertainers as self-serving and hyperbolic (I frequently do) and therefore ignore their views. Many times best chance of reaching an older audience is to have someone of greater authority address the issue, which is why I am pleased so many politicians have gotten involved in the It Gets Better Project on YouTube. Hopefully their presence will encourage more adults and parents that this is a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
It Gets Better was started in September 2010 by syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage. After a rash of teen suicides Dan and his partner Terry uploaded a video onto YouTube to inspire hope among individuals, especially in the LGBT community, facing harassment. This was their way of personally telling followers and supporters that yes, life does get better.
Two months after Dan and Terry posted their video, the concept had spread all over the world. It now features 10,000 videos and more than 35 million views. Politicians have contributed a significant number of these videos advocating hope and seeking help. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Joe Biden and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are just some of those who have contributed. One video features U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). International allies include the Vice President of the European Commission; Kevin Hague, Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, Member of Parliament; and David Cameron, MP Prime Minister.
The most watched video is from Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns with 2,629, 992 views. Please take the time to watch this video here. Hopefully young people who face daily harassment will find solace in these videos and bullies will reconsider abusing others. That would be fantastic, but these videos should also serve as a reminder to all adults, especially parents, that it is our responsibility to act as an advocate for those who need support and strength the most. It is up to the voting population to prove that equality is not something we just preach about, it’s something we are committed to achieving.
It's always good to see New New Media being used for a positive effect on society other than watching cats fall off broomsticks.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point on the effect on the LGBT community. I think that when history is written New New Media will be stressed as equally important to the movement as the advent of television was to the civil rights movement.