(Todd A. Smith/Photo Credit: Kevin Bussey for Bussey One Photography)
I could not disagree more with music legend Pharrell Williams when he says celebrities should stay out of politics.
Not only does politics impact celebrities too, regardless of their fame and/or socioeconomic background.
But what would the world look like if those with the biggest platforms and megaphones did not use their fame to make a difference in society.
Williams said, “I get annoyed sometimes when I see celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for]. There are celebrities that I respect that have an opinion, but not all of them. I’m one of those people [who says], ‘What the heck? Shut up. Nobody asked you…
“When you get out there and get self-righteous and they roll up their sleeves and s**t, and they are out there walking around with a placard: ‘Shut up!’ So, no, I would rather stay out of the way, and obviously, I’m going to vote how I am going to vote.”
Williams said that although he does not do politics, he cares about issues like education.
However, he does action (not politics) and supports activists, even though he does not consider himself an activist.
Recently, celebrities like pop music stars Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Billie Eilish have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and who could blame them.
As women, seeing a former president strip away abortion rights could impact them one day despite their fame and fortune.
And as an American, how could celebrities not use their platform to help save democracy from a man who vows to be an autocrat?
America is at a crossroad.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
And thank God celebrities are taking the dangers we face seriously, which has led to more people registering to vote in this crucial election.
While Williams said no one asked celebrities about their political preferences, no one asked Williams if he was happy a few years ago.
Despite no one caring what mood Williams was in, he constantly told us he was happy in his hit song, “Happy.”
Art is a form of expression.
And if Williams can use his artform to promote happiness and drug-dealing like he did in producing songs like “Grindin’” by rap group Clipse, other artists can use their platform to promote someone who might save the American way of life for the foreseeable future.
And artists using their platforms to promote political and social issues is nothing new.
Imagine if Marvin Gaye had not made the “What’s Going On” album in 1972.
Not hearing that album would have stopped the masses from hearing much-needed messages about the Vietnam War, the environment and inner-city blues.
Imagine if Stevie Wonder would not have recorded the song “Happy Birthday” for his “Hotter than July” album.
Without the popularity of that song, Martin Luther King, Jr. might not have a federal holiday in America.
Imagine if Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie had never written “We Are The World.”
Much-needed money would not have gone to malnourished children in Africa.
Furthermore, much-needed awareness would not have been given to the plight in Africa during the 1980s.
Imagine if KRS-One had not gotten together with the best rap artists on the East Coast to record the song “Self-Destruction.”
Imagine if Dr. Dre had not produced the track “We’re All in the Same Game,” which featured some of the biggest rappers on the West-Coast.
Imagine if D’Angelo had not written “U Will Know” for the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack, featuring the best R&B male singers (Black Men United) of the 1990s.
If those things had not happened, much-needed attention would not have gotten placed on the epidemic of so-called Black-on-Black violence.
Imagine if singers had not made songs urging South Africa’s apartheid government to dismantle segregation and to release Nelson Mandela from prison.
Imagine if Spike Lee had not used the character Dap (Laurence Fishbourne) in “School Daze” to urge Historically Black Colleges and Universities to divest from South Africa because of apartheid.
If those things had not happened, segregation might still be the law of the land in South Africa and Mandela would have never become president of the country.
Imagine if TLC had never made the song “Waterfalls,” with its messages about violence and sexually transmitted diseases.
While it was just a pop song, what if the messages steered fans away from danger and saved their lives?
That is what real art is, something that has a voice and makes a difference in society.
And that is what celebrities should do with their platform whenever possible.
One of the most controversial topics of the 2024 presidential election is Project 2025, which is a conservative playbook that would roll back many rights enjoyed by ethnic minorities and women if former President Donald Trump gets elected a second time.
Imagine if actress Taraji P. Henson would not have used her voice to amplify the dangers of Project 2025 while hosting the BET Awards.
Many people would not have been as informed heading to the polls in November.
But just imagine the Civil Rights Movement without celebrity support.
Celebrities like Marlon Brando and Harry Belafonte donated money and time so that the movement could have a huge impact.
Like it or not, a movement might have a message.
However, it probably will not reach the masses without money and manpower.
And celebrity manpower often makes a bigger impact than that from non-celebrities.
But what about all the concerts that artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin put on to raise money for the Civil Rights Movement?
Could leaders like King have helped as many communities and cities as they did without the money raised by these celebrities via live performances.
Imagine if Berry Gordy had not recorded King’s speeches and mass released them via Motown Records?
Would as many people been impacted by King’s powerful messages if the music impresario had not had the foresight to put his words on wax?
Although I do not agree with all celebrities when it comes to politics just like I do not agree with all non-celebrities, those in the spotlight have every right to talk about politics.
Many who do not agree with that will tell athletes to shut up and dribble or tell singers to shut up and sing.
But I have never heard anyone tell a teacher to shut up and teach if they begin talking about politics.
Politics affects us all.
And all should have a say so on the future of our country, especially when our rights and freedoms are on the ballot.
