Why Those Celebs Are Not One Of Us
Tags: Race, Equality, Celebrity, Culture, Music

Why Those Celebs Are Not One Of Us

“Eat The Rich” Applies To All The Wealthy

Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk on Unsplash

Cardi B’s recent actions online highlight why, no matter how much we want to feel celebrities are no different from us, they are not nor will they ever be. Not only did Cardi, during a pandemic as her “fans” if she should by a purse for $88,000 not realizing how insensitive and tone deaf it is, but she then doubled down claiming victimhood, targeted an account for her masses of follows and used her “charity” as a silencing tactic.

First off, celebs and the wealthy seem to truly be clueless as to the suffering of so many people, including their “fans”. The effects of the pandemic are widespread. People have lost loved ones, lost jobs, faced eviction, have no money for food and Cardi is so disconnected from this reality that she can’t fathom why anyone would get upset about her buying a 88k bag.

If people want to buy something that is their choice, but on social media, particularly ones like Twitter, if you ask a question as a celebrity with millions of followers, you’re going to get “fans” who agree, “fans” who don’t, and people who are looking for a reason to go after you. Think of someone who is a fan who maybe is facing eviction reading her tweet. There are people wondering how they’re going to pay off their college debt, which will likely loom over them for the entirety of their lives and Cardi wants to know if she should buy a purse that’s close to 100k.

Too many are defending her as well, but I’m sure quite a few were upset when Ellen was blathering on about how hard it is for her to be in quarantine and how it felt like she was in prison. There’s not much difference between the two, both are incredibly ignorant to the struggles, fear and uncertainty many of us are facing. If you’re living in luxury and not worried about the future maybe just live your life without dumping your privilege online.

Charity Used To Silence Criticism

Then Cardi did what too many celebrities do when they are criticized, she started trotting out all her donations which raises the question of why she donates. Did she do it because she wants to help or because she wants to appear as caring? Or because she wants to use that charity as ammunition to fire off whenever anyone is upset with her talking about her lavish lifestyle while more and more are falling below the poverty line? Or both? Her tweets make her charity appear more self-serving. And, as I’ve written previously, wealthy people rarely donate any significant percentage of their income.

And the best way to silence people is to make them feel grateful for the scraps you throw their way. Challenging poor people as though they have the funds to donate is ludicrous. The few who have money to spare are likely holding it in fear that the future is only going to get worse. We have no clear timeline on when this pandemic will end and many people who already lost their jobs won’t be getting them back.

Then she took a step further and posted a screenshot of a tweet from a fan who received $500 from her and lamented that it’s unfortunate that people you donate to will “drag” and “talk shit about you”. That tweet Cardi claims dragged her, simply pointed out the tweet about an 88k purse was insensitive and pointed out charity does not exempt you from criticism, like Cardi clearly seems to think it does. That mindset that money gives you leeway to act however you want is what causes some of the worst atrocities in this society and the lack of accountability.

Any large account that opens up a Black woman for attack simply for giving their correct opinion on a situation crosses a line. It silences dissent by encouraging targeted harassment from stans and could put that lady in danger all because you didn’t like being critiqued.

Sounding A Bit Republican

You can hardly avoid people online and off complaining about how the poor are poor because they mismanage their funds and buy frivolous things, like a gaming console. There’s a lot wrong with these kinds of statements.

First, it basically implies that until we who are poor become wealthy we are not allowed any luxuries. No entertainment, no outings with friends, nothing that requires money because every penny should be saved. So, if you’re buying something like a Playstation 5, that not only explains why you’re poor, but maybe you deserve it. It pushes the responsibility of poverty on the poor rather than a capitalistic system that maintains class divides.

Second, it’s simply shortsighted. If poor people aren’t supposed to spend on any kind of luxury that includes Cardi’s album.

Third, it implies that every poor person is poor due to mismanagement while also implying that no one wealthy overspends, mismanages funds, etc. Clearly that’s not true, if we even look how often businesses have to be “bailed out” as well as how many go bankrupt.

How Did You Get Rich?

Working hard is not the only reason Cardi, or any other celebrity is wealthy. They become wealthy because of the poor who are willing to “splurge” on their favorites albums, movies, buy a subscription to Spotify to hear their tracks, stream their films online, buy their products. Without people buying your products you would not be rich. Yet, you feel entitled to turn your nose up at us as though you got their solely on your own. Let’s not even take into account the labor force who creates all of this and is probably receiving subpar pay.

A Fan Doesn’t Disagree…Apparently

Cardi kept going on and on about how her tweet asking about the purse was meant for her “fans”. Even the person who called her out nicely, must not count as a fan. A fan seems to be, by Cardi’s behavior, only the people who agree with her tweet.

It’s frustrating to see people use words like fan as though a fan should be a blind follower or phrase criticism and accountability as attacks. That isn’t to say there aren’t jerks that are using this opportunity to say hateful things to Cardi, I’m sure there are. But when you claim every criticism is a “hater” you give yourself permission to keep from listening. People need to do better. We do need various iterations of trump supporters and that’s where we are headed. Everyone blindly following who they choose to who don’t bother with self-reflection, or critique and don’t expect it from those they admire either.

While there are times when hypocrisy is clear, a lot of the people upset with Cardi B are fans, not just so-called haters. Furthermore, the trump comparison doesn’t work. He is a rapist, racist piece of hot trash. No one has expectations for him to be better—many just want him gone. Fans are expecting Cardi to be better because they believe she is willing to listen and learn and doesn’t automatically assume she’s right about everything. When people stop pointing out your mistakes, it doesn’t translate into “you’re perfect”. It translates into you’re stagnant with no room for growth and change. It’s a compliment to Cardi that her fans are trying to reach out.

I’m not going to waste my breath arguing with someone online who is a trump supporter. Their racism will not alter with my words. But people I believe are good and, most importantly, want to be good, I will try to reach them. I expect better of them and for them and that’s what fans expect of Cardi. A true fan won’t just agree, they will point out when your clothing looks ridiculous, your hair is a mess and when you say or do something hurtful or insensitive. That’s what a friend/fan should be.