After watching this intense election, I feel there has to be a major distinction made between two different types of people: celebrities and politicians. During this election, celebrities have shown the political influence they have over society and their fans. But politicians haven't been any better; too many political figures have been changing their political strategies in such a way that society views them as celebrities. The tactics that both celebrities and politicians have been using, especially during this particular election season, have been changing the social statuses of both celebrities and politicians.
Celebrities and politicians cannot avoid the public eye because they both are always under scrutiny and analysis by society, but they each serve a different purpose in society. Celebrities are known to be performers such as actors, singers, artists, etc.and are much more credible in their respective fields. I'm not saying they do not have political knowledge, but they do have political influence over their fans. Fans will worship some celebrities as if they are religious figures and will follow them in the same manner, which pours over into their political affiliations.
Politicians are not celebrities. Politicians are voted into office to maintain a professional, sophisticated manner while upholding their responsibilities as public figures representing people. Politicians should not be on late night shows trying to appeal to their audiences and appeal to audiences with their ideas. They are not supposed to appeal to their audiences the way celebrities do. Politicians are policymakers. They have a different role in society than celebrities do.
Celebrities having this political power over their fans is not a good thing. Society reveres certain celebrities in such a way that they will agree with almost everything that they do. These celebrities seem almost untouchable, can do no wrong, and are always in the right. Giving celebrities this type of power will allow them to impact the way their fans view the world, particularly in politics. Society has to understand that celebrities are entitled to their political opinions, but they cannot allow celebrities to control their political opinions.
I'm not saying that one cannot be the other; it's historically proven that celebrities can become politicians. However, politicians and celebrities do not have the same societal function. I'm simply illustrating the differences between each. Politicians and celebrities have different roles in society and should not be viewed as having the same social functions. Celebrities are entitled to their own political opinions, but their opinions should not have the great impact that they currently do and did in the past presidential election and on their fans. Politicians and celebrities have many similarities between them, but the way that they are viewed cannot be with the same standards and society has to understand that each has a different societal function.
