Dear Creative Media,
Do better. Do better and do it now. We’re at a time when as a society, we are becoming more aware and informed about the current status of the world and what we can do to better it. As a member of society, you are part of this time and you need to keep up. And as a person in the creative media industry, you need to step up and lead.
You have the power to reach millions and you need to use that to help the bettering movement. You can’t afford to be blind to what’s happening and deaf to what people are saying. You’ve seen what happened with Pepsi. That was a catastrophic incident that was 100% preventable had those involved listened to what’s happening around them outside of their pearly white bubbles. Whether you were the director of the commercial or Kendal Jenner herself, you failed to live up to the power and privilege of reaching millions. As a creative, the job description includes consuming media of all kinds and keeping up with news and latest trends. What happened? And as a celebrity, whether model or singer or actress, if you take part in these creative platforms, you need to know what sort of message you’re sending. It doesn’t matter whether you weren’t part of the creative process because you are part of the creative production. You aren’t just a model being told what to do. Your job isn’t just to “show up and look good”; you are someone a lot of people, often young, look up to. Honour that responsibility and step up. What you do in front of the camera matters. Your reputation doesn’t negate your responsibility. Scratch away the fame and you are still a member of society and you have a social responsibility, an obligation to be aware of what’s happening. If you’re going to stand in front of a camera, take the opportunity to stand for something other than yourself.
And sometimes, standing up for something means standing aside. If you’re a Caucasian actor and you’re asked to play an Asian character, say no! If you’re an African American performer cast to play a Hispanic role, say no! It doesn’t matter how big of a celebrity you are. Think about whether there are people better suited for the role, and if you’re damaging or helping the kids who need better representation in the media. Filmmakers need their actors but if you say no and explain why, you can change the way they cast and the way they think.
Whether you’re a YouTuber, small filmmaker, Hollywood director, writer, celebrity, behind-the-scene star, or absolutely anyone else in the creative industry, you need to step up. Think about why the current President of the United States is so against the media. It’s because you have the reach that no world leader could ever have. You have the voice that echoes over any social group. You have the power to inform, shape minds, and even change opinions. Use it for something worthy. Use it to help those who are silenced. Use it to better the world. You need to do better and you need to do it now.
Sincerely,
Image by K From the Mountain.
