Is Halle Helping?
Much of the scholarly debate over celebrity charity work, and the benefits and drawbacks of it, centers around arguments of the help it provides versus the real intentions of this aid. Opponents sometimes argue that this aid is fuelled not by a genuine, altruistic spirit, but by a desire for increased popularity. The aid is sometimes portrayed as simply a method of building one's celebrity brand, and so it is argued that while it may appear altruistic on the surface, it is really just an underhanded attempt at self-promotion.
Halle Berry, and much of the charity work she does, would seem to be a good example to counter this argument with. Halle Berry's charitable work focuses largely on issues that she has a close experience with, and so are ones which really are meaningful to her. These issues, such as domestic abuse, diabetes, and lack of opportunity, are ones that Halle has had to face and experience in her own life. While Halle's close and public involvement with organizations that combat these issues may have helped to develop her celebrity brand and image, it would seem as though her real provocation to work with these organisations comes from a sincere desire to help, rather than a vain desire to increase her popularity. However one case that we see where Halle may have other intentions are her involvement with the JDRF, as it has been a controversial topic over the years of her time volunteering with the foundation. |