“African people may be present either as backdrops to the Westerners’ adventures and discovery or as embodiments of African primevalness; helpless characters in travelers’ stories about self-discovery and responsibility.” ~ Kathryn Mathers
Celebrity humanitarianism is moving beyond Western countries; it is increasingly becoming a trend among emerging markets—countries undergoing rapid economic growth and industrialization. Recently, these countries who want to have an impact or a larger involvement in world politics have started to follow this trend. Celebrities from countries like Turkey, Taiwan, Korea and China have been spotted doing “humanitarian work” in different countries throughout Africa. Below are examples of this new trend concerning power politics in the developing world.
TURKEY
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his wife and some Turkish celebrities took a humanitarian trip to Somalia in August 2011 to highlight the most recent famine. The trip received international praise. Reuters congratulated Turkey for its bravery and noted that Turkey is now part of a new group of non-Western nations providing large amounts of aid to countries in Africa.
Turkish singer and actress Seren Serengil’s humanitarian trip to Tanzania in 2012 doubled as a highly publicized photoshoot. The Turkish media covered the trip with headlines reading, “Princess in Africa.” Serengil told the press, “you don’t appreciate what you have unless you go to places like these.”
Serengil summarized her reasons for visiting Africa in the following words: “Our celebrities generally go to Miami or the Maldives, but American and British rich people go to these places, these are not places that most of our celebrities want to go to. By the way, they all dress up nicely, so I didn’t stand out at all. I would have been fake if I wore their traditional clothes. Tanzania is like 300 years behind us (Turkey) with extreme poverty, unhealthy conditions, dirt everywhere.” She continued, “After seeing those kids in these unfortunate circumstances, I directly called the Turkish embassy and asked if I can adopt one. Unfortunately I couldn’t because I have to live there for five years to adopt. I really wanted to save him from that place but I couldn’t.”
TAIWAN
Taiwanese celebrities Eddie Peng and Amber Kuo took a trip to Kenya in 2012. They posed for photographers while feeding severely malnourished children. Peng and Kuo also distributed rice and other food items to the “needy.” Ms. Kuo said, “I didn’t (sic) have a faith, but after returning from Kenya, whenever I have a meal, I would first think about the significance of the food in front of me.” Mr. Peng offered, “This is the most meaningful journey I’ve ever had. What I experienced on this trip made me realize how blessed I was and how many opportunities I have been given.”
Ms. Kuo shared that the rice donated by Taiwan was making a difference in the lives of children and families in Kenya. “When I saw the image of our national flag printed on the bags of rice donated by Taiwan, I was thrilled,” she stated.
Famed South Korean singer Lee Hyori took a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia in 2007. Shortly after the trip, Hyori was lampooned in the South Korean edition of The Onion. The satirical paper teased, “Lee was shocked to discover how many Africans were living without Angelina Jolie or even basic Mia Farrow. ‘It’s appalling,’ said the 28 year old star. ‘How could anybody live in such a place without Angelina Jolie?’”
Last Words…
These ventures into humanitarian aid power politics by emerging countries have gone widely unnoticed, especially the West. However, it is important to recognize this trend because it highlights the continued exploitation of African nations, only this time it is by countries that once shared similar economic and political challenges.
By Senay Imre and Lillian Jahani – GPIA
