In the ongoing debate over how the West should handle the ongoing migrant crisis some celebrities have taken a strong pro-refugee position. However, oftentimes those same celebrities whose wealth is significant and whose material circumstances are such that they should have no problem housing significant numbers of migrants, should they decide to do so, choose not to.
For example, George Clooney sounds like someone concerned about the refugees' plight. He is indeed involved in some initiatives to help them abroad[1] he has, by all accounts, not seen it fit to accept and house any of them at any of his many large luxurious residences located in the countries on whom he is calling to be more hospitable to the refugees [2].
J K Rowling seems to similarly voice her strong opinion that the West should take more refugees from Syria and other third world countries[3]. However, we have yet to hear of her housing any of the refugees whom she seems to sympathize with so strongly. She has recently been challenged to do so on Twitter. The challenge was as follows: third parties would pay for the refugees' transportation to come to her residence while she assumes responsibility for housing them. Those behind the challenge included independent journalists Mike Cernovich and Paul Joseph Watson. So far, the answer to this challenge has been silence which speaks volumes considering that Ms Rowling is usually quite active on Twitter.
Now normally I prefer not to concern myself with circumstances of others' private lives. However, in cases like the ones detailed above the disconnect between words and actions is too large to ignore, considering the potential actors' capabilities. And while no one can claim to have never acted hypocritically in their life the hypocrisy is too glaring to ignore here.
Reference
[1] Google to help George and Amal Clooney educate Syrian refugee children in Lebanon
Jessica Guynn
USA Today
20 September 2016
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/09/20/george-and-amal-clooney-team-with-google-to-educate-syrian-refugee-children-lebanon-united-nations-obama-refugee-crisis/90716882/
[2] F**k George Clooney
Paul Joseph Watson
YouTube
13 May 2016
Link:
[3] JK Rowling joins prominent figures urging UK to take in desperate refugees
Heather Saul
Independent
Early 2016 (precise date unknown)
Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jk-rowling-joins-prominent-figures-urging-uk-to-take-in-desperate-refugees-10484894.html
[4] J.K. Rowling Goes Silent After Getting Challenged To Put Her Money Where Her Mouth Is
J. Allen
Right Smarts
13 February 2017
Link: http://rightsmarts.com/j-k-rowling-goes-silent-getting-challenged-put-money-mouth/
It's kind of crazy to say that, what they are talking about is what the state should do, not any one person, including themselves.
But why should we listen to any of them anyway? They're in a complete bubble. I guess their money talks to policymakers, it should be criminal.
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Your point about the state being responsible for state-level politics is valid - however, the state is comprised of its citizens. And, for example, if you are a military age man in good health and advocate that your state enter into a war, it is not unreasonable to expect you to enlist, now is it? Same here, more or less.
And what do you think should be criminalized?
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Either I don't follow you or you've missed my point. Let me restate: celebrities are acting as public policy influencers (the state) not calling for direct housing action by private citizens, themselves included.
It should be a criminal offence to bribe government officials, and that includes loop hole "donations" and the like.
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I thought I did get your point, at least to some degree.
The thing is, celebrities are influencers - and that is the main mechanism they employ, not so much the financial infusions, whatever they may be.
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