A notable figure is always in the public eye, and with that, they have a platform in which they can influence others through their opinions. Public figures are “an individual or entity that has acquired fame or notoriety or has participated in a particular public controversy” (“Public Figure”). A platform is “an opportunity to voice one’s views or initiate action” (Platform). With the power to affect public opinion, several public figures have a positive influence in society by leading certain movements to create equality, enacting laws that enforce fairness, or speaking out about controversial issues. In Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” King explains that the only way to stop discrimination against African Americans is to take non-violent action against the oppressors (King). Clearly, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s peaceful approach to the Civil Rights Movement gained him popularity and successfully drove the fight for equality, using his platform to push norms, gain authority, and promote positive societal change. Furthermore, in her Speech to United Nations General Assembly, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher explained the urgency for global transformation on the issue of climate change and the need for “specific undertakings, or protocols in diplomatic language, on the different aspects of climate change” (Thatcher). Her authority as Britain’s female Prime Minister gave her the platform to be one of the first people to take climate change seriously and propose a plan to fix it. However, “with power comes the abuse of power” and certain public figures use their influence in order to spread unequal and discriminatory ideas (“Judd Rose Quotes”). With this in mind, the question being brought up is: To what extent have public figures influenced positive social change? Overall, looking at this problem from the social, political, and economic lenses, it is clear that there has been a significant amount of successful social change as a result of public figure influence. The positive reform that has been encouraged by public figures has considerably improved the problems of sexism, racism, and climate change awareness, and by ensuring that unjust ideas and actions are not being spread to the public, negative social change will decrease, and public figures will continue to benefit society.
As mentioned before, “with all power comes the abuse of power”, and some public figures fall into this negative path. Adolf Hitler executed one of the world’s most horrific genocides against the Jewish people in Europe, which “led to the establishment of a brutal Nazi dictatorship that unleashed a violent assault against political opponents, ‘racial aliens’ and ‘social outcasts’” (“‘1933’ Eighty Years On’”). Hitler believed the Aryan race was superior to all other races, so he used his platform and power to shift the public’s’ beliefs on the Jewish community by manipulating most Europeans to hold an Anti-Semitic mindset. Contrary to popular belief, Adolf Hitler was elected chancellor of Germany by the people; the public support and money that Hitler earned was increased through the use of propaganda which helped him galvanize the lower and middle class. With this, “the [Nazi] party became the second largest in the country” (Bullock). As someone’s popularity increases, their power increases as well, and if a public figure can gain as much power as Hitler did, spreading racist or unequal ideas will be much easier and have a significant impact on the public. With the authority that public figures have, abuse of power is a prominent issue and can corrupt a society, state, and even country.
From a social standpoint, public figures have made the most impact, especially in two main areas: sexism and racism. When discussing sexism, the main issues that have been addressed and changed include female rights and the wage gap. Susan B. Anthony, a leading figure in the women’s suffrage movement, founded the American Equal Rights Association, along with the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and gained recognition by being one of the first women to fight for equal rights (“Susan B. Anthony”). This platform allowed her to help other women gain confidence and stand up for their rights, along with leading the social change of equality which was accomplished through her “speeches around the country to convince others to support a woman’s right to vote” (“Susan B. Anthony”). Additionally, the wage gap between men and women and the discussion amongst celebrities about the need for equal pay has generated a need for change. According to Forbes Magazine, “the world’s highest-paid actress, [Jennifer] Lawrence, made $52 million… June 2015… compared to the $80 million banked by Robert Downey Jr.” (Berg). Gina Rodriguez, a renowned American actress and a Golden Globe award recipient, is a passionate advocate for equal pay. Rodriguez “partnered with LUNA bars to raise awareness and funds for LeanIn.Org’s #20percentcounts campaign”, which is one step to utilize her platform and educate others who may not be aware or participating in stopping the issue (Gonzalez). Public figures are driving social change; they are raising awareness and educating the public about the wage gap and feminism, and with their positive influence, the public will be able to shift their perceptions in a positive direction.
The second half of the social standpoint falls under racism, including Muslim and African American rights. Malala Yousafzai is a Muslim rights activist who stood up to the leaders in her country and demanded that females obtain the right to an education. Yousafzai did not influence as many people “until she was shot by the TTP” and received recognition from the West (Walters). She was called the “Shot Pakistani girl” before she became a notable influencer and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Although Malala was fighting for the same cause before and after the entire world knew her name, her voice did not have as much of an influence until she received praise from platforms such as news reports, celebrities, and other activists. Malala’s influence inspired “initiatives such as the Girl Effect and Chime for Change, an organization co-founded by Gucci, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Salma Hayek-Pinault” which brings more attention to girls in developing countries by having large groups and celebrities also advocating for change (Wallace). Malala’s influence not only inspires the public opinion but also inspires other celebrities and public figures to support one another and create more platforms to spread a social change.
Some may argue that public figures can use their platform to promote violence or negative actions. Malcolm X fought for the same cause as Martin Luther King Jr. and “he arguably proved to be tremendously significant in many respects,” although he promoted violence in order to justify that African Americans should do anything they can in order to gain equality (“How Great an Effect”). Malcolm X’s speech titled “God’s Judgement of White America…[gave]…him national and international prominence and afforded attention for himself and the civil rights movement; his profile was raised and allowed the promotion of [his] ideas” (“How Great an Effect”). As he gained popularity and platforms to share his beliefs, Malcolm X expanded his following, and the influence for civil rights was raised; however, his ways of fighting “fire with fire” were not as ethical as Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy. For instance, King had “four basic steps” in his nonviolent campaign which include “collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action” (King). These “four basic steps” gain equality as well and do not involve violence; therefore, it clearly displays the different levels of morality between the two leaders and proves that violence is not required to spread positive social change.
The political influence of public figures has always been an active area of debate, dating back to the 1800s with Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln had great authority as he led the armed forces in the Civil War, wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, and was responsible for the Thirteenth Amendment (Huhn). He had more power to influence the citizens and the judges of the supreme court with his views that affect America’s society; especially during his presidency, convincing citizens to end slavery took a great deal of authority and influence. In modern day, several Hollywood celebrities have a large impact in presidential campaigns and voting. As discovered from a study by C. Garthwaite and T. J. Moore, “Oprah Winfrey’s official and outspoken endorsement of Barack Obama… was responsible for about 1,000,000 additional votes for Obama” (Nam-Hyun). One million votes that would have either not been a part of the election or would have affected the opposite party candidate is a significant number that Oprah Winfrey brought herself. Austin, Van de Vord, Pinkleton, and Epstein found that “celebrity-endorsed Get Out to Vote campaigns may help persuade young voters (18 to 25 years) to participate in an election campaign” (Nam-Hyun). Public figures can increase the participation in political elections which will elect a capable leader that can enforce more positive change in society.
The environment, its health, and sustainability are crucial to society’s well-being, and although it seems as if everyone would agree on its importance, it is not receiving the attention it deserves. Margaret Thatcher changed that with her Speech to United Nations General Assembly where she discussed the urgency for the world to come together to solve the climate change issue; she suggested more prominent countries should contribute more than the rest as they have more resources (Thatcher). She plans to use Britain’s resources in order to contribute their part and start the process of coming together; her authority as Britain’s female Prime Minister immeasurably persuaded the leaders and citizens of other countries to take the issue into serious consideration. Her speech led to the creation of the World Conference on Environmental and Development in 1992 which “set the stage for a series of annual global meetings on climate change” (“Margaret Thatcher’s Strong Stance”). Global warming can cause natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, the spread of diseases, relocation from coastal areas, habitual issues for animals, and more, and without Margaret Thatcher, numerous nations would not have been aware of climate change or been able to be a part of her plan to take action.
To obtain the best results from the influence of public figures without negative messages, a solution could be to regulate what is broadcasted. This could be done by having a panel go through what a public figure is planning on saying in a public event and being able to take certain negative messages down from public view. In North Korea, the media is controlled tightly by the government; there is propaganda, fake news, no international news, and restrictions on what can be watched. In North Korea, “radio and TV sets in North Korea are pre-tuned to government stations that pump out a steady stream of propaganda… [which] serve up a menu of flattering reports about North Korea’s leader [and] economic hardship and famines are not reported” (“North Korea Country Profile”). Who is to say what should or should not be shown to the public? If there was regulation on what could be said or heard, unjust and incorrect information could be shown, and the freedom to speak your mind would not exist. This also goes against the First Amendment of the United States where “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech” (US 1776). Instead, the First Amendment should itself be amended in order not to let people spread their opinions if it goes against natural and equal rights. By this, I mean to update certain texts in order to make it more fair and accurate (Amend). The natural rights, according to the Declaration of Independence, include “life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” and equal rights ensure that all races, genders, and people are treated the same (US 1776). To add, Martin Luther King, Jr. expressed that “one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws… [and] any law that degrades human personality is unjust” (King). With this, it is clear that allowing people to speak against certain races, genders, or ways of life is unjust and we have a moral obligation to change the First Amendment to make it fair. This would still enable people to their right to have their own opinions and share them however they like, but they cannot go against the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
To conclude, it is clear that public figures have a strong influence on public opinion. From the social, political, and environmental lenses, public figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Gina Rodriguez, Malala Yousafzai, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Margaret Thatcher have made an enormous impact in creating awareness, laws, or equality in women’s rights, Muslim rights, African American rights, the United States government, and climate change. While the positive effects are strong and beneficial, the negative impacts need to be contained and amending the First Amendment is a feasible solution to the problem. This will create a more positive and equal society, and can only bring up our world in terms of the way people interact and live.
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