A True History of the Johnstown Flood Study - Goodman Theatre

The Famous and the Unfortunate
BY NICHOLOS REID, STUDENT AT THE ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
Celebrities have overwhelmed our attention. We all know
what they’re doing, who they’re dating and what scandal
they’ve been part of. Families that used to sit around
the television and watch the news would rather flock to
the TV set to watch these notables take part in wild and
rowdy acts on VH1. Though we hate to admit it, these
icons of popular media have become the most influential
people of the day. In the wake of a tragedy, celebrities
are among the first to react. As public personalities, they
do a lot to both repair the damage inflicted on victims
and raise awareness about an issue.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina changed the lives of
thousands of citizens on the Gulf Coast. Many celebrities
were out making an effort. Brad Pitt started the Make it
Right Foundation, which built many homes in the New
Orleans area. Pop star Hilary Duff donated $250,000.
The late Michael Jackson wrote a song titled, “From the
Bottom of My Heart.” Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney,
Nicolas Cage and Sean “Diddy” Combs all donated $1
million to the Katrina relief effort.
This trend of celebrities helping to rectify situations is
not a new phenomenon. In 1984, a relief effort for the
famine in Ethiopia was organized by a group of American
artists called USA for Africa. This group organized a
campaign called Hands Across America, where 7 million
people donated money to participate in linking hands
with an enormous chain of others for 15 minutes.
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie also wrote a song,
“We are the World,” which was recorded by the members
of USA for Africa. Hands Across America and the single
released by the USA for Africa artists helped to raise
about $100 million for Ethiopia.
Now that the Haitian people are going through a crisis,
many things are being done to ensure the safety and
survival of the remaining citizens of Haiti. Many notable
people are donating money to the relief effort. Benefit
concerts and telethons have been organized, such
as the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, which raised $61
million. In addition to that, Lionel Richie arranged a 25th
anniversary edition of “We Are the World” featuring many
contemporary artists who all want to help with the Haiti
relief effort.
Haiti after the earthquake. Photo by Thomas Hurst, courtesy of
Churches Helping Churches.
Celebrities are best known for their music, their movies
and, regrettably, their scandals. However, when a tragedy
occurs, these influential public figures take on an
important role when they do what they can to aid those
in need and enlighten the world.
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