With the Black Likes Matter movement gaining traction internationally, many celebrities are putting their previous concerns at getting too ‘political’ aside. They are partaking in protests, donating money and speaking out online, in ways that have never been seen before. In the past, expressing one’s opinions does not go down well in Hollywood circles. Thankfully, this seems to be changing. But a new video produced to help the cause has raised eyebrows, and a few smiles, after going live today.
The earnest video has been organised by new initiative I Take Responsibility. It features stars including American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson, Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, singer Kesha and Frozen’s Kristen Bell. Justin Theroux, Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing, Julianne Moore and Piper Perabo also feature. While most people seem to agree that it is well meant, its tone and approach has been greeted with critiques.
'Regret to inform you the celebs are at it again', wrote The Daily Beast's Marlow Stern. 'The scream I just let out', fashion blogger Nicole Ocran wrote on Twitter. 'The way I'm gonna ignore Stanley Tucci being in this', added Bolu Babalola, author of forthcoming book Love In Colour.
According to the official site’s pledge, the project intends to establish that ‘enough is enough. It’s time to take responsibility. We cannot sit idle. Racism is personal, it is local and every tiny instance, every situation needs to be called out and checked. At the smallest most personal levels, they need to become teachable moments. No matter the circumstance, racism needs to be called out.
Many found it to be in line with another recent celebrity montage video arranged by Gal Gadot. The actress asked stars like Natalie Portman and Jamie Dornan to sing a line of Imagine, to comfort people during lockdown. It was widely mocked as insincere, with many pointing out that many of these celebrities were isolating from their large Hollywood homes.