Audra McDonald on her "destiny"

Hiya,

Chatted with Audra McDonald ahead of her performance the State Theatre gala in New Brunswick, NJ, this weekend. We talked about giving back, particularly her work with Covenant House, and why she chooses to speak out.

"Causes are close and personal to my heart for a myriad of reasons — I’m female, I’m a mother, I’m African-American, I’m an ally with the LGBT community and I’m a citizen of the human race. I also think about posterity and I think about when my children are grown, and my grandchildren are grown. And when they look back I hope that they would see that their mother, grandmother, great-grandmother spoke up and did what she could to help out in the world because I would want them to do the same."

Check it out here if you're so inclined: 'It was destiny': Audra McDonald on giving back

Anyone going to be at the concert?

Kad said: "She really is just perfection, isn't she?"

Indeed. You can't fake the enthusiasm and effort in giving back, she truly practices what she preaches in addition to that TALENT!

Please pardon this little bit of cynicism in an otherwise uplifting thread.

The celebrities and entertainers who appear in events to raise money for and increase awareness of some social problems are not making much of a sacrifice. They are getting together with other entertainers, many their friends, having a good time joking with their friends about common enemies, and feeling good and superior about themselves and what they are accomplishing.

Meanwhile, out on the mean streets, record numbers of homeless are in the same places at which I saw them 25 years ago. In this most proudly progressive city, the numbers of homeless is increasing at a time when it is declining in the other large cities in the country. And don't look for Audra or any other stars bending down over such a body working as hard as possible to save the unknown but still alive human beings. No Little Sisters of the Poor." And don't look for me, either.

That's all. Return to your feelgood sentiments.

OlBlueEyes said: "Please pardon this little bit of cynicism in an otherwise uplifting thread.



Little bit? I would hate to see a large dose.

The celebrities and entertainers who appear in events to raise money for and increase awareness of some social problems are not making much of a sacrifice. They are getting together with other entertainers, many their friends, having a good time joking with their friends about common enemies, and feeling good and superior about themselves and what they are accomplishing."

Point taken, but you are generalizing about a very diverse group of individuals with varying degrees of commitment. I think Audra is one of the exceptions to your assertions as evidenced by her longstanding and consistent actions.

olblueeyes, I went to high school with a girl who later voiced one of the "Disney princesses". She's by no means as famous as Miss McDonald and her original film came out 25 years ago, yet even now, she devotes as much as several days per week or more to charity.

I watched her perform a 2+ hour benefit and then spend another hour or more greeting several hundred children from the audience--on the night of her father's funeral. I tried to suggest she just say a few words to the remaining crowd and then go home, but she wouldn't leave until each child got to speak to her individually.

Much of her charitable work is never covered in the press. Most draining are the many friendships with dying children she has made over the years through the Make a Wish Foundation. She stays in touch with those kids who want to hear from her--until they die.

Are there subsidiary benefits? Well, one highlight was spending a few days signing autographs with her hero, Julie Andrews, but the "hanging out with friends" you describe is mostly posing for pictures with strangers.

I sincerely doubt Miss McDonald does any less. It's up to you, of course, but I think you should put that cynicism back in your pocket unless you know the celebrity in question personally.

If homelessness is rising, I'd blame modern Christianity's oh-so-convenient FWF ("Fair World Fallacy" in which people believe all misfortune is deserved), politicians who are more concerned with wealthy contributors than with helping the people they are supposed to serve, and voter selfishness. I don't think Miss McDonald or my friend can be blamed for it.

(Sorry if this post seems strident. I first wrote it last night, but my computer ran out of power before I could post it. In recreating it, I fear I sound offended by your post, when I'm not.)

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 01:18 AM

Here in Southern California, we have the advantage of year-round mild weather, so we too deal with a huge population of homeless. It's easier for such people to function in very large cities with crowds into which they can blend.

I don't pretend to have an answer, because I don't think the actual cause of the problem is local.