| Show to Rock the e Vote l Martha Carter Arts Editor Imagine it pouring its it's raining down on us pits outside the oval office Someone's trying to tell us something maybe this is God just saying were we're responsible for this monster this coward that we wc have empowered These lyrics from the song by are arc in reference to the current administration administration administration admin admin- and are just one example of political activism in the celebrity arena The song was released the week of the election election election elec elec- tion in the form fonn of a minute five-minute video directed directed direct direct- ed by Ian Inaba of the Guerrilla Network In the animated video there are depictions of racial profiling poverty and other domestic issues Planes explode in the background as leads a growing mob of youth toward the White House The goal was to make a video that inspired young people to vote because they too often disregard it as a powerless exercise said at Celebrity involvement was at its time all-time high during the 2004 election raising Fund-raising concerts were held for both parties featuring time big-time acts willing to endorse their choice for president Public Service Announcements performed by stars like Alicia Keys encouraged young people telling them that their votes do count MTV's Rock the Vote was in full-force full in 2004 and has grown continually with help from individuals like Puff Daddy who wore a shirt t-shirt that read Vote or Die Many of these efforts have taken a nonpartisan nonpartisan nonpartisan par non approach simply empowering the youth by helping them to understand the importance of their vote Programs to organize the youth toward political activism are well established and reaching far-reaching due to the Internet Many are incorporating pop culture into their take on politics to encourage youth to get involved Organizations like Music for America provide a perspective on politics that is ismore ismore ismore more close to home for young adults examines the fact that although the youth are the future of this country rarely are their issues addressed by politicians Their approach uses music and art to address an issue while political forums are created and explored by young people across the country According to By exposing the connection connection connection con con- between our cultural lives and politics y we ar are getting O our Jl g generation 1 to p participate participate-in i iRate j r f the political pro process s' s levels i cg t la 41 1 A 1 M e J i. i Puffy Daddy is DA MAN Much of the public is unappreciative e of political efforts made by musicians and Hollywood alike Some public figures have received 1 a a wave of ot backlash for voicing their opinions Groups like the Dixie Chicks who expressed their dl disapproval disapproval dis dis- approval of President Bush while on tour in III Europe were bombarded with protest from angry fans and suffered huge economic losses Entertainers who are continually involved in politics are often ridiculed or discredited Films like Team America take activists such as Susan and Tim Robbins depicting depicting depicting depict depict- ing them as loony liberals and rejoicing in their demise Still certain celebrities have triumphed inthe in inthe inthe the political arena Reputable figures like Ronald Reagan and Arnold have both entered politics with a loyal fan base who also supported their ideals Reagan took the highest office in this nation building on his knowledge from the entertainment entertainment entertainment entertain entertain- ment industry and the support of a public who respected him in both aspects of his illustrious career Young people are often influenced by recording artists and actors They purchase their music attend their concerts and emulate their lifestyles Acts like who has hassold hassold hassold sold millions of records have a profound impact on the youth who listen to them Although it seems that personal agenda was unsuccessful the fact remains that mor p people turned out OF 4 forthe 2004 04 hav election |
