Posted on Oct 29, 2023
Cultural figures find perils to speaking out and staying silent about Mideast crisis
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https://www.npr.org/2023/10/27/ [login to see] /israel-palestine-cultural-fallout
In recent years, social media backlash has become commonplace as cultural figures and organizations use digital platforms to express their views in response to world events.
But some have also been facing real-world consequences — fallout that goes well beyond the realm of social media — for making public declarations about the present Israel-Hamas conflict.
The real-world consequences of taking sides
In the world of talent management, Maha Dakhil at the high profile Creative Artists Agency, who represents Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Madonna among other A-listers, resigned from the agency's internal board last Sunday after posting a series of anti-Israeli comments on social media. Dakhil also stepped down from co-leading CAA's motion pictures department.
In recent years, social media backlash has become commonplace as cultural figures and organizations use digital platforms to express their views in response to world events.
But some have also been facing real-world consequences — fallout that goes well beyond the realm of social media — for making public declarations about the present Israel-Hamas conflict.
The real-world consequences of taking sides
In the world of talent management, Maha Dakhil at the high profile Creative Artists Agency, who represents Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Madonna among other A-listers, resigned from the agency's internal board last Sunday after posting a series of anti-Israeli comments on social media. Dakhil also stepped down from co-leading CAA's motion pictures department.
Cultural figures find perils to speaking out and staying silent about Mideast crisis
Posted from npr.org
Culture
Middle East
Israel
Palestine
Posted 6 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."To speak out or not to speak out?
All of this comes at a time when much of the public expects and even favors cultural figureheads who speak out about world events.
Nearly half of the 2,000-plus people who responded last week to a poll by the Hollywood Reporter said it is "very appropriate" or "somewhat appropriate" for a celebrity to speak out about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Less than one third said they didn't think it was appropriate, while a quarter had no opinion on the matter.
"There's a growing sense that as a publicly visible figure you also carry a social and political responsibility that comes with the attention capital you possess, and which can be converted into political influence and discursive power," said Sandra Mayer, a literary and cultural historian based at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and co-editor of the recently published anthology Authorship, Activism and Celebrity.
"With the rise of social media in the past 15-20 years, the apparent leveling of public discourse, and the growth of opportunities of interaction between prominent public figures and ordinary citizens, there is a greater pressure for such individuals to speak out and to take advantage of the privileges and opportunities their status affords them."
Mayer said because of the "contentious and extremely emotionalized" nature of this particular conflict, it's not surprising that both speaking out and remaining silent has been landing cultural figures and groups in trouble.
But she said celebrities will probably continue to use their platforms to share their opinions about this war — and other issues — regardless of the consequences.
"It is probably too early to tell how and to what extent this will affect the future of celebrity stand-taking," Mayer said. "But I don't think we can expect celebrities to become less vocal in the future."
..."To speak out or not to speak out?
All of this comes at a time when much of the public expects and even favors cultural figureheads who speak out about world events.
Nearly half of the 2,000-plus people who responded last week to a poll by the Hollywood Reporter said it is "very appropriate" or "somewhat appropriate" for a celebrity to speak out about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Less than one third said they didn't think it was appropriate, while a quarter had no opinion on the matter.
"There's a growing sense that as a publicly visible figure you also carry a social and political responsibility that comes with the attention capital you possess, and which can be converted into political influence and discursive power," said Sandra Mayer, a literary and cultural historian based at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and co-editor of the recently published anthology Authorship, Activism and Celebrity.
"With the rise of social media in the past 15-20 years, the apparent leveling of public discourse, and the growth of opportunities of interaction between prominent public figures and ordinary citizens, there is a greater pressure for such individuals to speak out and to take advantage of the privileges and opportunities their status affords them."
Mayer said because of the "contentious and extremely emotionalized" nature of this particular conflict, it's not surprising that both speaking out and remaining silent has been landing cultural figures and groups in trouble.
But she said celebrities will probably continue to use their platforms to share their opinions about this war — and other issues — regardless of the consequences.
"It is probably too early to tell how and to what extent this will affect the future of celebrity stand-taking," Mayer said. "But I don't think we can expect celebrities to become less vocal in the future."
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Live for something or survive on your knees.
Israel nor the United States are above accountability. Period
People forget this one simple FACT about Life.
We ALL DIE and turn back to dirt no matter how fancy and expensive the funeral and casket.
Israel nor the United States are above accountability. Period
People forget this one simple FACT about Life.
We ALL DIE and turn back to dirt no matter how fancy and expensive the funeral and casket.
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