The Los Angeles wildfires have had a devastating effect across the region. Most people are being forced to evacuate the city and leave their whole lives behind. To make matters worse, many families have watched as their entire home burns to the ground. A person’s home holds valuable memories and to see those memories burn down can be extremely devastating for a person.
Social media platforms often give different events different types of coverage. However, the public’s fascination with fame and those who have the most wealth is reflected in the immense amount of attention given to celebrities during times of disaster. As this occurs, debates arise about whether or not this attention is necessary.
“Celebrities are much more privileged, so if their house burnt down, it’s not as if they don’t have any other place to go – they have the resources for that,” Lambert sophomore Aditi Soham stated. “But for people who don’t have as much money, they might not have another place to go or afford, so it’s harder for them.”
The financial stability most celebrities have allows them to quickly recover from disasters such as the L.A. wildfires. On the other hand, underprivileged populations do not have the means to easily support themselves after a disaster. It is essential for the public to focus relief efforts largely on the less-privileged rather than celebrities, so they can receive the support they need. If everyday people were to receive more media attention, it could mean receiving extra donations, assistance, and more — all of which can truly make a difference for them in combating disasters. For example, Walter Butler, a man whose home burned down due to the L.A. Wildfires, has received a vast amount of support. His GoFundMe, along with countless others, was given extra attention through the internet, as people from his community kept boosting it. As a result of the additional focus on his fund, Butler ended up receiving almost 1 million dollars.
However, it is important to note that the homes celebrities may have lost could have been the only home they have known. Just like any other person, their homes contain valuable sentiment and memories.
“At the end of the day, they’re still human beings. They’ve still lost their homes and the memories they made,” Soham noted. “Normal people have lost their homes too, but so have they, and they deserve empathy.”
Although most celebrities have the resources needed to recover after the L.A. Wildfires, losing a home is still an experience which can take a toll on a person. No matter how much money celebrities have, they still experience grief and pain. For instance, Bella Hadid lost her childhood home in Malibu due to the fires. She shared an image of the house burning on her instagram, expressing sorrow towards her childhood bedroom.
Celebrities can and have used their recognition for good. Along with the photo of her home, Bella Hadid also posted an image asking people to “please consider” donating to multiple organizations such as the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Ultimately, celebrities do not deserve the hate they may receive simply for being well-off during times of disaster. Despite that, the spotlight celebrities receive during the L.A. wildfires may be best utilized towards other people. Shifting the focus from celebrities to those who are in more underprivileged communities will allow them to reap the benefits of that attention and turn their lives around.
