First published on 17.01.2011.
This blog introduces two very different themes about celebrity activism.
The first theme concerns the role (or arguably the non-role) of sports celebrities as pivotal activists. Although some sports celebrities do involve themselves in causes there is no Bono, Angelina or George Clooney in the sports world. Just as we need to explore who, how and where entertainers get involved in activism, we need to examine why sports entertainers don’t rise to the top in this type of performance. Is it because of the team dimension? Or is it because of some socialization process that puts the emphasis solely on commercial endorsements? The exceptions to this rule (quite a few from non-US backgrounds) need to be looked at, but the reasons for this difference requires extended analysis as well.
Yao Ming during his charity gala. (www.yaomingmania.com)
The second theme concerns the role of celebrity activity generally in the global South and specifically in the BRICSAM countries. Up to now we have looked exclusively at celebrity activism in the ‘Anglo-sphere’. However, as the BRICSAM countries ascend it is likely that celebrity activism will arise from/in those countries as well.
China is at the top of the list of BRICSAM countries in terms of the dimensions of its rise, a condition that will be accented next week with the visit of Hu to the US.
Yet, when looking at Chinese celebrity activism so far few have appeared to gain a global/universal reach. Others may differ but I would suggest that Jacky Chan might be the best known of the established celebrity activists. And while he fits into the model of entertainers (not sports figures) being in the lead he is based in HK not the PRC.
Although China has its unique political/cultural character, some of the constraints on sports figures are familiar to the western world. A search of the biography of Liu Xiang, the talented hurdler (whose injury in the Beijing Olympics was a major event) gives an indication of the obstacles: a combination of major commercial endorsements and the massive time obligations for training.
Such constraints however may loosen up. The profile of Yao Ming, the iconic Chinese/NBA basketball star, signals some of the possibilities of a Chinese sports celebrity have a global/universal reach. While Yao has a set of lucrative commercial endorsements, he has also become a leading sports figure in terms of charity activities. He donated a big component of time and resources ($2 million of his own money) in the aftermath of the calamitous 2008 Sichun earthquake. He has worked with a number of other engaged sportsman (Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Nash) on events, including back to back charity basketball games in Beijing and Taipei.
While most of his work highlights the value of constructive engagement, it is also worthwhile mentioning that Yao is on some issues prepared to be associated with causes that contain some sensitivity. One that jumps out is Yao’s willingness to support Wild Aid’s campaign on endangered species (notably the killing of sharks). If not so much on the radar of western audiences as his other efforts, this alternative form of engagement showcases some future possibilities.
