Canadian Thanksgiving is over, but my sense of gratitude and awe continues to grow.
Earlier this week, my dear friend, media spokesperson, and heroic figure Dr Anita Krajnc bravely went to court. She was charged for giving water to non-human animals and was featured on Huffington Post and Halton Insider for her fearless truth: “compassion is not a crime.” Read the Huffington Post article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacy-anthis/woman-charged-with-crimin_b_8299694.html and watch her video here:
Her fearless truth reminds me of Malala Yousafzai, who also speaks from her heart. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to watch He Named Me Malala (2015) with my father, who has been a supporter of my education. I believe that the most important aspect of education is to shed cultural defense and tell truths, which Malala and her father have demonstrated in war zones of terror. Malala’s words “speak from your heart” and “I am not afraid of anyone” set her as a heroic figure and embrace us as a part of her heroism.
These truths have led female figures like Malala and Anita to become heroic representations in the media and, more importantly, in our lives. They take us out of our ‘comfort zones’ and ask us to reveal our hidden truths.
Our comfort zone is a war zone – a war between our heart and mind. Only cultural defenses can create comfort and hide attacks on our own selves.
We live in an age where education and media can turn us into corporate servants that passively consume fabricated messages for the profit of others. Ongoing advertisement of fashion, flesh, and beauty consumption turns us into blind consumers in corporate machines. I take no pride in this.
We are smarter than being victims of falsehood.
I stop and ask ourselves, what is our hidden truth? Can we cross our comfortable ‘war zones’?
Both Malala and Anita are exemplars of heroism and leadership for which I am grateful and proud. As a celebrity studies scholar, I consider both activists as celebrities, a theme that I addressed in my last conference in New York City. These celebrity activists restore heroic roots of merit-based fame. Yet, they did not fight for fame. They fought for truth that needs support – not silence.
Follow my Twitter and Facebook for more updates on celebrity activism and on how we can support.
Keep fighting and shine as a star!
Dear Samita,
I’m incredibly moved both by the Anita’s story in the Huffington Post and the trailer for He Named Me Malala which I definitely want to see. Thank you for shinging the light on the best kind of celebrities and sharing their very important messages with the world! xox