Social Responsibility

When it comes to social responsibility, are celebrities more obligated than the average person? I say the answer is yes, at least when it comes to appearances. For example, after watching a commercial for this ridiculous Battlefield Earth (or something) between Tommy Lee and Ja Rule (I think), I watch a commercial for a wrinkle reducing product promoted by Andie MacDowell. Her lines are (something like) "Drop a dress size, I wish. Get rid of wrinkles, easy!" A beautiful, successful and talented woman, who by no means is overweight, wishes she could be a size smaller. Or at least says she does. Forget the wrinkle cream, that's the obvious message. It's easy to ignore the obvious messages. The weight factor, that's the subtle brainwashing. That simple line, seemingly irrelevant, does loads of damage to a woman's self-esteem. That's what I mean by social responsibility. Does she need to do that commercial? When she accepted, did she pay attention to what she would be saying as well as the message it would be sending? Does she really see her weight as a problem?

Maybe it sucks for the actor or celebrity but I think that the inherent exposure of the job comes with increased obligation to the public that views them. In my opinion, they should use their exposure to promote real (not gimmicky) important issues. MAybe correct the dangerous side of the profession: creating unrealistic idols of feminine(or masculine) beauty. Maybe they won't stop making those ridiculous 'ugly duckling' movies, where the girl with the curls and glasses (*cough*) gets straight hair, contacts, and the guy, but they could champion natural beauty, healthy weights and lifestyles, and self-confidence.

An example of a 'good' self image commercial, Queen Latifah and Jenny Craig. Kirstie Alley promoted the heck out of the food, Valerie Bertinelli has her skinny jeans, but Queen Latifah has 'a size healthy'. She has lost 20 lbs, she is still a curvy woman, she still acts, but she is a healthy size and lives a healthy lifestyle. And she achieved this message in a commercial for potentially seteem wrecking product. She is a great role model for women and girls.

I think we cast aside the responsibility of celebrities and companies too lightly. People say it is just a commercial. But not only are they artifacts of our society they are also shapers of our society. They tell and teach us how we should look and act. And we buy into it mentally and financially when we buy the product.