Celebrities offer exclusive experiences in campaign to mobilize young voters

[demmiblue]

Source: The Hill

Celebrities are offering exclusive performances, dance lessons and virtual “happy hours” as part of a campaign to mobilize youth voters, the organizations behind the campaign announced Tuesday.

Global Citizen, a non-profit dedicated to ending extreme poverty, and HeadCount, a non-profit aimed at promoting voter participation, are partnering on the non-partisan “Just Vote” campaign. The effort aims to engage one million young voters and get 50,0000 young people registered to vote ahead of the November election.

Voters will be able to unlock access to opportunities or memorabilia from artists by checking their voter registration status as part of the Just Vote campaign. Participating celebrities include Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, Cardi B, DJ Khaled, FINNEAS, Julianne Hough, Loren Gray, Nicky Jam, Quavo, Taylor Swift and Usher.

By checking their voter registration status, voters will be able to unlock access to a variety of experiences, including a virtual dance lesson with Usher and his choreographer, a never-before-seen permanence form Nicky Jam, or a virtual get together with DJ Khaled or Cardi B.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/515333-celebrities-offer-exclusive-experiences-in-campaign-to-mobilize

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[NurseJackie]

1. I'm so old...

Participating celebrities include Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, Cardi B, DJ Khaled, FINNEAS, Julianne Hough, Loren Gray, Nicky Jam, Quavo, Taylor Swift and Usher.

I only recognize two names in that list.

[lagomorph777]

5. I must be younger - I recognize 4 names.

[murielm99]

12. I recognized five.

I must be very young.

[flibbitygiblets]

20. LOL, I recognize all but Nicky Jam and Quavo.

And I am definitely not what most people would think of as "young".

Having said that, I don't actually listen to any of them though, except for Billie Eilish (and even then, only a couple of her songs I really like a lot).

HOWEVER, some of you may recognize Billy Porter from his performance at the DNC with Stephen Stills doing an amazing cover of "For What It's Worth". Link:

Link to tweet

[Gamecock Lefty]

2. I'm with you, NJ!

I'm a 60s guy. Give me the British Invasion, all that great anti-war music and the sound of Motown and I'm a happy camper!

[SheltieLover]

3. K&R!

[frazzled]

4. I want a dance lesson with Usher and his choreographer!

Sounds like fun. Even though I've checked my registration like 6 times already, and even though I'm of advanced age, I may sign up to check again, just for the chance to shake it up a bit.

[Proximate Centurion]

6. Wow, CELEBRITIES!

Just what we need!

[NurseJackie]

7. Nothing wrong with celebrities. (Except for Susan Sarandon.) They help to generate interest and...

Nothing wrong with celebrities. (Except for Susan Sarandon.) They help to generate interest and enthusiasm, and I'm all in favor of that.

Politically, I do not believe that they are very influential in changing people's minds... but I do think they can be a motivator for those individuals who are apathetic about voting.

I'm all in favor of it.

[Proximate Centurion]

9. But they give the other side ammo to call us "elitists."

We're not, but that won't keep Donny & Co. from saying BS like, "These SOCIALISTS (FREAKOUT! FEAR ACTIVATED!) look down on the average American!"

[NurseJackie]

11. Obviously, it's an insult. It's red-meat and fist-pumping rhetoric intended for their base...

Obviously, it's an insult. It's red-meat and fist-pumping rhetoric intended for their base. I know of no evidence that suggests such things are effective at swaying the opinions of people who can be swayed. It's obviously intended for the folks who have already made up their mind.

Barbra Streisand's support of Joe Biden isn't a make-or-break moment for his campaign, but things like that help voters to feel validated and motivated and to continue the fight. In the long run, I think it does have positive effects, and while it may be shallow, I just don't see the harm in it.

What's really the worst harm is negativity from within our own ranks. Over-analyzing things and hand-wringing over the most insignificant "clues" only serve to create an overall atmosphere of worry, doubt and negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[Cha]

19. You wouldn't think you'd have to explain

this to anyone during the most vital campaign election of anyone's lifetime.. when we NEED EVERY SINGLE VOTE.. but here we are.

NOT AFRAID of what MAGGATs think.

Mahalo, Jackie!

[Cha]

18. SO WHAT??!!!!

[demmiblue]

8. Concern noted.

[Proximate Centurion]

10. Thank You

I'm concerned about a LOT of things in this America-Lives-or-Dies election!

[demmiblue]

13. You're welcome!

I value the celebrities who are getting out the youth vote!

[Cha]

17. WHAT WE NEED IS ALL HANDS ON DECK!

[roman88]

14. I'm in my early 30s but...

I recognize only 3 of those celebs listed and even then I'm not entirely interested in thier "happy tours" or whatever. I feel like the Dem establishment misunderstands what young voters want. Instead of throwing famous people in our faces, how about listing detailed policies that we face right now?

[demmiblue]

15. What does this have to do with the "Dem establishment"?

The "Dem establishment" isn't involved in this.

[NurseJackie]

21. It's not, obviously. But there are some who can't resist any opportunity to take swipes at...

It's not, obviously. But there are some who can't resist any opportunity to take swipes at our candidates or our party's leadership. Even if it's and entirely inappropriate or completely invented reason. And in this case, it's both.

All I'm trying to say is that comments like those really serve no good purpose. It's divisive and continually projecting that kind of negativity only creates resentment and suspicion. It's just another example of how people are oddly willing to do and say things that create an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness and negativity. Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[emulatorloo]

22. Did you ever go to Joe Biden's website and read his policies? It's all spelled out.

[NurseJackie]

23. My guess that the honest answer to your question is "no".

Unfortunately, there are many on the internet, this site and elsewhere, who instinctive complain without really understanding what it is they're complaining about... and... as you correctly noted: without reading the candidate's polices or the party's platform. There will always be a certain fringe segment that fall into the rote and well rehearsed "millionaires and billionaires" script.

All I'm saying is that all this negativity and backhanded swipes at our party, our party's leadership, and our nominee serve no good purpose. And I thank you for calling it out.

[betsuni]

25. The first commandment for them is: Thous shalt NEVER gaze upon the Democratic platform.

It would ruin the whole both-sides cynical fantasy to know the party's actual policies.

[betsuni]

24. Non-profits are "Dem establishment" "throwing famous people in our faces"?

[roman88]

26. I misread lol

But my point still stands, I'd rather see policies and tangibles for young voters versus celebs talking at me.

[Cha]

16. KR!