Years ago I wrote about celebrity philanthropy. It’s a topic that makes me roll my eyes (sorry Renee). It’s especially over the top as this virus sadly creates high profile opportunities to be … well, to just be a good person. Please understand — I’m all for celebrities supporting good causes. But celebrities often can’t resist making a big deal out of their philanthropy. They get their publicist involved, have the media cover the story, and generally put themselves in the story as the hero.
Anyway, I wrote about it years ago and thought I’d look at the topic again. Much to my surprise there is an entire study around celebrity philanthropy today! There’s even a Wikipedia page about it. Things have changed. Or, sadly, cynicism has expanded.
It’s tempting to blast celebrities (or political candidates, though there isn’t much difference) for their public philanthropy. Like the big name Hollywood actor who earned millions for doing a commercial, then let his publicist promote the story about him donating $10,000 to a local homeless shelter. I remember cynically thinking at the time, “Wow, so generous, you gave almost .1% of the income you earned doing a one day photo shoot.”
Yet here is the ugliness of this we want to overlook: the truth is we all do it. Maybe we don’t have a publicist. Maybe we give a lot more than .1% of one days salary. Maybe we give because we really care, not because it’s good for our reputation. But we’re all tempted to gain recognition for our generosity.
It’s the whisper of wealth stealing our hearts again. I’m guilty of it. Not all the time of course, but more often than I probably even recognize. And even when I’m not guilty the temptation is there … the whisper of wealth, of fame, of recognition and honor.
So I try to be patient with athletes who bring camera crews along as splash a little paint on a wall, or businesses that plaster their corporate name across a charitable event, or philanthropists who have the new symphony hall named after them.
I’m as guilty as they are. They just do it in a fish bowl for all to see. I don’t judge, or try not to, though I humbly admit to the eye rolling when nobody is looking.
Truth is, resisting the whisper of cynicism is almost as difficult as resisting the whisper of wealth.