Social activism and entertainment fit hand in glove. But, artist who speak out about a topic tends to garner two reactions. The first effect is that it creates an awareness of the issue. Indeed, it make even make millions of fans aware. The second effect is to alienate an equal number of people. These tend to be people who either disagree or are outraged an artist has an opinion.

Artists who speak out are typically slammed for the most trivial reasons. Most Americans want their celebrities to be seen, but not heard. It’s a cultural sin for actors and musicians to have talent and an opinion. It’s incomprehensible that should thrill us in the theater, but dare to discuss debt settlement leads or economic policies.

It wasn’t until 1985 that Americans began to change how they felt about celebrity spokesmen. The cause that night was for the American farmer and his family. Farm Aid brought together artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, The Beach Boys, and Don Henley (just to name a few) to perform on stage. The galvanizing force of a good cause and great talent seems to have made a dent in that old American aversion to celebrity causes.

More than just performing for a night, Willie Nelson, Mellencamp, and Neil Young brought farmers before Congress to testify on behalf of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. As a result, the legislation to help grant farms some reprieve from their massive loans was passed. Even though the concert is still held every year, it is more of a working organization that provides awareness for the cause.

The limelight does not preclude anyone from having a valid point. But, there is an appropriate time and place for a moment of social activism, but that can fluctuate from person to person and celebrity to celebrity. Choose the wrong time has often lead to the greatest criticisms of celebrity activism. But, this does beg the question: when is the right time?

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