Photos of disaster and devastation were not the only images that emerged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Also surfacing were images of celebrities commiserating with the victims, holding them and listening to their stories. (Many of the images we've seen of celebrities helping out have been taken by their own personal photographers.) People could have tuned in daily to watch Oprah travelling through the devastated areas, enlisting other celebrities in the relief effort. We have seen images of John Travolta and Kelly Preston delivering five tonnes of food via Travolta’s jet, and comedian Chris Rock lending himself to a variety of relief activities including stocking boxes with supplies.

Sean Penn could be seen on the front lines trying to save people from the flood waters. (We also witnessed him franticly bailing water out of his boat when it sprang a leak and started to sink.) Images of numerous celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Faith Hill, and Julia Roberts could be seen as they interacted with survivors. We heard stories of other celebrities donating money and talent for the relief, like George Clooney and Nicolas Cage donating a million dollars each, while author John Grisham (who lives in Mississippi) donated five million dollars. News sites posted stories on Morgan Freeman, who helped organize an online auction to raise funds for Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. We also encountered varied reports about many more stars signing on to help with various relief concerts and pledge drives.

For Discussion

• How important are celebrities? What is the role of the celebrity in society? Does that role change during post-traumatic times, such as in the days following Hurricane Katrina?
  
  
• What questions or issues come to mind if some celebrities give their time to interact with victims, or donate money or talent to relief efforts?
  
  
• Do you think celebrity involvement makes a difference? Why do you think some people may be critical of celebrity involvement? List - as many as you can - the celebrities and the charities/awareness campaigns they endorse. Which ones get the most exposure? Why do some get more exposure than others?
  
  
• What is the difference between celebrity, hero and role model? Are they mutually-exclusive terms?
  
  
• Discuss the following comment by Jamie Foxx, who is working with the NAACP on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. "The reason you have to do this is you have to let them know that you're real."¹
  
  
• Often, persons who achieve celebrity status can be seen giving opinions and advice on topics that fall well beyond their field of fame or expertise. Why do you think attention is given to a celebrity’s opinion regardless of whether they have a direct connection to the topic discussed?
  
  
• Debate the following: Some argue that celebrity endorsement of special interest groups is important to raise awareness while others disagree and say that it can destroy credibility because fame and publicity overshadow a charity's central campaign message.
  
  
• Compare and contrast the involvement of the celebrities with the involvement of politicians. What implications can be made if politicians have the access and power to dedicate substantial amount of money (billions of dollars) to the relief efforts?

¹ "Jamie Foxx Meets With Victims of Katrina" The Associated Press, Thursday, September 8.