Current location:opinions >>
VOX POPULI: Unlike Taylor Swift, few stars in Japan speak out about politics
opinions6171People have gathered around
IntroductionWhen I visited the United States on business years ago, I turned the TV on in my hotel room to find ...
When I visited the United States on business years ago, I turned the TV on in my hotel room to find popular actor George Clooney on the screen.
I vividly remember him saying to the effect, “According to the education we’ve received, criticizing the government is something like a duty of American citizens.”
It was a talk show in which celebrities answered questions from viewers.
Regarding film stars engaging in political activism, Clooney noted with complete equanimity, “Why not?”
His reaction made me feel the robustness of democracy in America.
But making political statements is obviously never a simple matter for anyone who is famous.
In fact, pop singer Taylor Swift, whose recent comments about this year’s presidential election have attracted considerable attention, has admitted in her own documentary film and elsewhere that she had agonized over whether to speak out or not.
Ever since she debuted at age 16, Swift said, she was constantly warned about “talking politics and inconveniencing other people.”
But six years ago, she’d finally had enough and publicly criticized a Republican presidential candidate.
This exposed her to ruthless online slander and bashing, but it also freed her, she recalled, as if a muzzle had come off.
It is pointed out that when an influential superstar publicly voices support for a specific politician, this creates a tricky--or even dangerous--situation.
Big-name celebrities are invariably super rich and some people worry that their political endorsements will benefit only the wealthy.
But surely that shouldn’t mean all A-listers must remain silent.
In contrast, how few prominent stars there are in Japan who openly discuss politics.
Swift said to the effect that she will continue to act, having realized it is her responsibility to take advantage of her power of influence and challenge disgustingly cheap policy pledges that are nothing but lip service.
I am bedazzled by her words.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 19
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Stream news portal”。http://turkmenistan.shellye-mcdaniel.com/html-20c499976.html
Related articles
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
opinionsBritain has a new sports car. But it's not like anything else you've seen on the road before.Callum, ...
【opinions】
Read moreMoment British tourists wade into the sea and sprinkle loved
opinionsThis is the moment British tourists waded into the sea to scatter the ashes of a loved-one, triggeri ...
【opinions】
Read moreTakeaways from the AP's investigation into how US prisoners are hurt or killed on the job
opinionsA sweeping Associated Press investigation into prison labor in the United States found that prisoner ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
- Man suspected of punching Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi in random NYC attack
- Mosque attack in northern Nigeria leaves 8 people dead. Police say the motive was a family dispute
- Asian soccer body scraps 12
- The government wants to buy their flood
- Spanish police say they've broken up Sinaloa cartel network, and seized 1.8 tons of meth
Latest articles
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
Trump hush money trial: Defense lawyers question Michael Cohen's credibility
Top tennis players say they're playing too much because the tournaments are too long
Hush money trial: Trump asks New York court to intervene in fight over gag order
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
Nashville SC fires coach Gary Smith after 3
LINKS
- China's telecom sector logs steady growth in Jan
- Travis Scott anxious to break 0
- Digital Silk Road development enables connectivity, prosperity
- Africa Energy Indaba highlights prospects of South Africa
- Saudi Arabia extends voluntary cut of oil production
- Teyana Taylor, 33, breaks her silence on those rumours she is romancing her co
- 3 Northern California law enforcement officers charged in death of man held facedown on the ground
- Letter from China: Exploring the hustle and bustle of south China's border ports
- Miami Heat fans are SLAMMED by Kendrick Perkins for leaving 'too many' empty seats for crucial play
- Israel and Iran's apparent strikes give new insights into both militaries