Many of today’s youth look up to those they idolize for the virtue they bring to society. Actions they take to convey powerful messages to their audience tend to have a big impact on those who don’t agree with them rather than those who do. Those who are idolized consist of TV show hosts, athletes, musicians, and even actors/actresses. They use the platform they stand upon to express ideas they believe in.
People like Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey have had the privilege of having their own TV show and with it they spread positivity and help those in need. Although they use their fame and fortune to give back to their audience and or to those who have been through tough times, there are those who use their platform for bigger issues.
Those like Colin Kaepernick, who started the “kneel during the national anthem” protest last football season, has used his voice for a message that goes beyond spreading positivity. It is one that has stuck with not only the American youth, but people all over the United States.
Kaepernick’s reason for kneeling was to show that he was fighting against racial oppression and trying to raise awareness about social injustice that was happening during the time, and continues to happen. Being that he was very well known during his football career his actions created an uproar of emotions in society.
Many saw what Kaepernick did as a sign of disrespect, but a season later fellow teammates as well as other football players are joining in on his protest. The Indianapolis Colts football team took part in Kaepernick’s stance by wearing shirts that expressed their fight against social injustice as well. Although Kaepernick does not play in the NFL anymore and therefore no longer has the same platform his voice is still being heard.
The way Kaepernick presented himself on and off the field showed the youth a part of the industry that isn’t seen in everyday light. Those like Kaepernick and the Indianapolis Colts aren’t the only ones who used their platform to spread a message so deeply rooted in the world we live in.
Musicians like Eminem and Snoop Dogg used their music to “attack” the negative ways of our president. Eminem released a video addressing all the nonsense Donald Trump has committed whether it was via Twitter or on live television. He said things along the lines of “he gets an enormous reaction when he attacks the NFL so we pay attention to that instead of Puerto Rico.”
Such words show how Eminem’s using his skills in music to put together something powerful to show the world how our president cares more about NFL players than those who lost lives in disastrous events. Snoop Dogg used the cover of his new album “Make America Crip Again” in a negative way to also express his hatred toward the president. Because of the fame he holds in the music industry there were those who agreed with the point he was making.
Celebrities are idolized and looked up to everyday. No matter what industry they are part of, sports, music,or movie industry they have a platform that lets their voice be heard by many people. The way they decide to use that voice could help the youth that look up to them in a positive or negative way. Even if it’s a voice that many people from society don’t agree with.