Posted: 2/14/24 at 4:01am
Wingnut posts latest attempt by fascist press to attack the "liberal elite".
Certain parties play their respective parts.
Yes, we've seen this before.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 4:26am
binau said: "Maybe I underestimate the real motivations of people here but I would be shocked if people complaining about this had a problem with the concept of aid going to Gaza. I think people are reasonable and mature enough to know that the innocent people of Gaza are in a rough situation and need help (even people who support Israel. I don’t think it’s mutually exclusive). BUT I don’t see how it’s also unreasonable for people to expect that their donations for actors go to well, actors. Gaza has the international attention right now and governments will support and provide aid. These same governments are not going to support actors. That’s why we need charities for actors."
“governments will support and provide aid.”
Therein lies the problem. Not enough “governments” are supporting “aid” and unfortunately the US has continued to financially support the state of Israel and their efforts to ethically cleanse Palestinians. Aid is constantly being blocked from entering Gaza. As others have stated, Broadway Cares has supported other causes not explicitly outlined in their “mission statement” and there is an ongoing humanitarian emergency (to put it lightly). Have some humanity people, this organization raises millions every year and just a portion is going to aid in Gaza.
This thread should probably be locked tbh
Posted: 2/14/24 at 4:51am
Sorry but the aid that governments have and are providing to Gaza is so substantial that it makes broadway cares’ contribution seem like a rounding error. This is being framed as if Broadway Cares is needing to step up and solve the world’s problems because others aren’t and it’s just not true. At best I’d say they have good intentions and it’s a nice gesture. at worst it feels almost narcissistic that Broadway cares are off trying to save the world when they simply don’t have the financial resources to support that and by doing so they might be compromising the better support they can provide in their own back yard with their original purpose. Even if morally we don’t feel it should, if this news also does impact their donation revenue because they have lost some of their core supporting base it would also have been a severe misstep.
And our society currently seems to idolise and encourage attitudes/behaviours that seem to have good intentions without thinking through the practical realities and unintended consequences. The road to hell is lined with good intentions. Yes, there is a terrible humanitarian crisis in Gaza and yes they need help but that doesn’t mean every decision related to this goal should not be carefully thought through first. The world is complex and it’s hard. Having a moral compass and wanting to help the less fortunate is not the only criteria you need to actually help the less fortunate.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 5:14am
Regardless of the actual monetary amount you should view this as a net positive. You should. Nobody is so deluded thinking Broadway Cares will change the world. I have a MA in International Relations and have studied the long history of this conflict. I know 400k isn’t gonna do much in the long run.
My entire point is that people shouldn’t express backlash about this decision by Broadway Cares. If anything I’m more likely to donate more than I already do knowing my money is supporting causes I also support. This is a public declaration of support which also matters a LOT. If genocide supporters want to stop donating, that’s on them. They’re garbage humans anyway.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 8:39am
binau said: "Gaza has the international attention right now and governments will support and provide aid. These same governments are not going to support actors. That’s why we need charities for actors."
Don't think anything BC/EFA did here was illegal or outside the rules, but I do agree with this. The board obviously felt differently, as is their right.
That said, aid to victims in Gaza isn't inherently political. Too many believe there can be only one group of people suffering.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 9:05am
Obviously and intentionally, the policy is vague. Perhaps I’m wrong but I don’t think that was part of the mission statement when Broadway Cares was first organized. So to me this is a significant and opaque mission creep. I’m not sure that I will continue to be giving any money to Broadway Cares given the current mission statement.
And yes there is a humanitarian crises in Gaza. But how can Broadway Cares be assured that donations won’t end up in the hands of Hamas which is a terrorist organization as designated by the United States government.
And from the BC/EFA website nothing is mentioned about international grants.
https://broadwaycares.org/about-broadway-cares-equity-fights-aids/
Updated On: 2/14/24 at 09:05 AM
Posted: 2/14/24 at 9:21am
They’re not dropping sacks of money on the ground. The money has gone to carefully vetted and reputable organizations.
As others have pointed out, BC/EFA has made donations to other “off mission” emergency causes in the past.
This is nothing but a cynical attempt from a known right wing tabloid to besmirch a charitable organization that has been doing good for decades. Disappointing that so many here have taken the bait.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 9:47am
"They’re not dropping sacks of money on the ground. The money has gone to carefully vetted and reputable organizations.
As others have pointed out, BC/EFA has made donations to other “off mission” emergency causes in the past.
This is nothing but a cynical attempt from a known right wing tabloid to besmirch a charitable organization that has been doing good for decades. Disappointing that so many here have taken the bait."
Actually, it is just reporting the truth. They directed funds that people thought were going to help provide medical care to those with AIDS, COVID and other life-threatening issues in US to GAZA. If they want to donate to "off-mission" emergency causes how about the flood victims in California.
Updated On: 2/14/24 at 09:47 AM
Posted: 2/14/24 at 9:51am
I don't have a problem with this as our government is helping the wrong side of this conflict.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:09am
Zeppie2022 said: ""They’re not dropping sacks of money on the ground. The money has gone to carefully vetted and reputable organizations.
As others have pointed out, BC/EFA has made donations to other “off mission” emergency causes in the past.
This is nothing but a cynical attempt from a known right wing tabloid to besmirch a charitable organization that has been doing good for decades. Disappointing that so many here have taken the bait."
Actually, it is just reporting the truth. They directed funds that people thought were going to help provide medical care to those with AIDS, COVID and other life-threatening issues in US to GAZA. If they want to donate to "off-mission" emergency causes how about the flood victims in California."
So you're fine with off-mission donations as long as they're not going to the people of Gaza?
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:10am
The Post article is an attack ad. The money isn't going "to Gaza" full stop which makes it seem like it is going to Hamas. The money is going to doctors and aid groups who are trying to patch up the wounds of bleeding civilians (half of them children) in Gaza.
How is BCEFA "misleading" people about the purpose of the donation when they have been very clear about what the funds are doing in their public statements?
Updated On: 2/14/24 at 10:10 AM
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:16am
A quick perusal of the first 3 pages of the "News" section of BC/EFA's site shows that they have disbursed grants to support striking WGA/SAG workers, food banks in Hawaii following the wildfires, 141 food banks or meal delivery programs in 2023, food banks in Florida following Hurricane Ian, emergency relief for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona, causes supporting access to reproductive healthcare, humanitarian orgs in Ukraine, social justice orgs in 2020, orgs in Australia following the 2020 wildfires, and firefighters and victims in California following 2019 wildfires.
Why are people acting brand new about this?
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:24am
gibsons2 said: "I don't think you know what "genocide" means. But thats a different discussion. And the conversation here is about BCEFA approving grants forcauses that are not in line withtheir mission statement."
Genocide (noun):
The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.
Over a million innocent people have been corralled into a space that normally holds a population of 170,000. It was promised as a safe zone and now they're being attacked. Right-wing politicians are already talking about the Gaza strip as though it's an open plot of land where luxury homes can be built. If this isn't the deliberate displacement and killing of people based on who they are and where they live, then sure, we don't understand what genocide means.
As many have already said, their mission statement and support from the board allows them to direct funds wherever they deem fit. It is not illegal, and it is not going against their stated mission. If anything was ever a crisis, this would be it.
Updated On: 2/14/24 at 10:24 AM
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:31am
They did the right thing by donating even if it won't do much in the long run. As someone from New Orleans, Broadway Cares donated money to the city post Katrina if I recall correctly. This is not out of line for them or their mission statement.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:34am
Whoever thinks that BCEFA solely supports the acting community, doesn't know the breadth and scope of the great work done by the organization.
I'm sorry but any objections to these donations - comparing them to BCEFA supporting the NRA, really? REALLY?! - are at best showing an ignorance and misunderstanding, at worst, something far worse.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:39am
Did they ensure all actors’ needs are covered before donating to these different causes that have plenty of other sources of cash?
Kinda reminds me of illegals getting money and hotels via taxpayers while veterans sleep on the streets.
Updated On: 2/14/24 at 10:39 AM
Posted: 2/14/24 at 10:45am
Perhaps BCEFA speeches after shows vary show to show, but whenever a show I’ve been a part of makes a speech, we always mention that BCEFA sends money to many different causes, including disaster relief and recently the war in Ukraine. Are people getting BCEFA confused with the Entertainment Community Fund? That is the charity dedicated to helping support actors and other members of the entertainment community in need. BCEFA directs some of its funds to them, but they are not the same organization. If you claim you thought that anything BCEFA raised was strictly supporting people in the industry, maybe you just weren’t actually listening during the speeches?
Posted: 2/14/24 at 12:54pm
not speaking to the merits of their contribution, but wrt the potential for donor confusion over BC/EFA's mission ...
maybe removing EFA from their name would eliminate (some of) the confusion. i've thrown a lot of money into red buckets over the years, and i have to confess: between "AIDS" in their name and the red ribbon logo -- and, yes, what the actors frequently said on stage -- i always assumed i was donating to an AIDS-related charity.
(and, no -- i never checked their website; that's on me.)
also, FWIW, this is how their Wikipedia entry begins: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is an American nonprofit organization that raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States, headquartered in New York City. It is the theatre community's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 12:56pm
Boris said AMERICA FIRST!
Posted: 2/14/24 at 12:58pm
@Mods - this thread really needs to be locked.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 2:07pm
Kad said: "Why are people acting brand new about this?"
We know why.
I am just one 20-year-old Jew with no real influence in the world, but I know how it feels to be indoctrinated into their mentality. I blame my autism for asking too many questions and not falling for the bait.
I am glad to see that Broadway Cares donated to doctors and a rescue committee. Anyone who claims to be “worried” that the money is going somewhere else is acting in bad faith. We know this. They know this. We need not reply to them.
I am new to the Broadway world, but I am really glad to see this, and it inspired my love for Broadway even more:)
Posted: 2/14/24 at 2:11pm
whatever2 said: "not speaking to the merits of their contribution, but wrt the potential for donor confusion over BC/EFA's mission ...
maybe removing EFA from their name would eliminate (some of) the confusion. i've thrown a lot of money into red buckets over the years, and i have to confess: between "AIDS" in their name and the red ribbon logo -- and, yes, what the actors frequently said on stage -- i always assumed i was donating to an AIDS-related charity."
I'm with you. I was definitely surprised to hear how general their mandate was. All of these causes are good ones deserving of support, but I think a conversation can be had about the benefits and drawbacks of specificity in charity work. Especially for smaller organizations, having specificity in their mandate can magnify impact - doing one thing really well, rather than many things a little bit. But it's also not my charity, and if they want to have a wider mandate then they certainly can. Nothing to get offended over.
Posted: 2/14/24 at 5:12pm
"So you're fine with off-mission donations as long as they're not going to the people of Gaza?"
I would rather donations go to what the main goal of this non-profit organization was created to do. As it was pointed out in this thread, they do mention in their mission statement they will give money to off issue emergencies. I wonder how many people who donate actually read the entire mission statement. Due to them mentioning it in their mission statement, I can't object to it. To answer your question, my answer is yes. I much rather see off mission donations go to emergencies like the floods/landslides in California than GAZA. How awful of me (note sarcasm) to care more about people in this country than GAZA.
