“So you want to start a revolution” – Celebrities in political activism yesterday and today.

During the 60s, The Beatles revolutionized and inspired an entire generation of socially aware liberal students.  These thrill seekers compiled lyrics, political messages, and used the media to “Start a revolution.”John Lennon’s messages became central for youth driven political ideologies of the so call hippie breed. The media saw in these four boys from Liverpool attractive faces that could easily be marketed to the public. Television was new in the 60s. It became a mirror portal to the wide world. In that small box, the Beatles were seen as the bearers of change. They brought new and bizarre experiences.

Forty year into the present, audiences are still drawn to telivision and celebrities for political opinion. In South Florida, Emilio Estafan and Willy Chirino compelled a massive demonstration to support the “Las Damas de Blanco” in their struggle to free their husbands from captivity. The media coverage of this event helped to spread public awareness of this issue. Simultaneously, all over the world, women started dressing in white to show their support. Millions of people saw Willy Chirino accuse the Castro regime of committing crimes against humanity. In addition, the Internet and social media helped stimulate the widespread the message of freedom. Today news is not restricted to Television and the newspapers. Now your average citizen can reach mass audiences thru the use of live forums and the Internet.

I am new to this journalism class. All that I know comes from my sister who has brief me on the lectures. I learned from my sister and the book, Mightier than the Sword by Rodger Streitmatter, that the invention of the internet shifted media focus from newspaper and television to individuals. Anyone can now pick up a camera and start a TV channel. Internet, like television in the sixties, became the new frontier in the transmission of information. Opinions and polls can be obtained instantly and result tabulated quicker through the internet.