What About The Others

My aunt came over the other night because my uncle wanted to watch the basketball game in a crowded room (Miami vs Dallas). She really isn't intrested in basketball, so in a different room of the house, she watched Anderson Cooper's interview with Angelina Jolie. She kept exclaiming how great Jolie was for braving the dessert, living out there, sharing her fortune with those in need. She said that she had read articles of how Jolie didn't wear make-up or dressed up, that she became one of the people--she got her hands dirty and even carried some of the malnourished infants and shook hands with the "people". I think the title of the interview was "The World's Greatest Mother".

I'm not trying to discredit Jolie's works, her humanitarian efforts to make this world a better place. But why does she get the title "World's Greatest Mom" just because she is one of the most recognized cinematic figures. What about the "people" who have dedicated their lives to helping those "people" in need. Why don't they get a shot at the title or an interview with Anderson Cooper? How about the people who have spent their whole careers serving organizations like Doctors Without Borders or the many other charitable organizations. Why aren't they considered great? Why is it a sacrifice for Jolie, but a career/volunteer work for the other people.

It almost diminishes the work done by the other less known workers of charity. I'm sure there are countless other philathropist who remained nameless because to them it was an honest to goodness charitable deed. I'm not saying that Jolie is not doing this for charity's sake, but why do superstars get more recognition for their work. This is the reason that I scrutinize the charities that use celebrities as their poster face, rather than real people or real cases.

I don't know why it irked me, but it did.

P.S. I really do think that what Jolie is doing is honorable. But there are others who are just as dedicated too. And I do respect her efforts to end hunger and poverty.