I grew up at a time when celebrities regularly gathered to raise money and awareness for causes larger than themselves. Farm Aid drew attention to the struggles of American farmers. Live Aid raised money for famine relief in Africa. Musicians from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom recorded “We Are the World,” “Tears Are Not Enough” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Artists lent their voices, fame and cultural power to people whose suffering might otherwise have remained invisible. I admired them for it.
Years later, I was there when George Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington while protesting violence and an impending humanitarian crisis in Sudan. I heard Michael J. Fox speak twice at Reform Jewish conferences I staffed, including when he received the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award for his activism on behalf of Parkinson’s disease research and stem-cell research. More recently, I applauded Boy George for releasing “We Will Dance Again,” a song supporting Jews and Israel.
I do not believe artists should remain silent about politics. Celebrities can draw attention to suffering, mobilize resources and reach audiences that politicians, journalists and nonprofit organizations often cannot.
