All of last week’s headlines considered Bruce Jenner’s transformation into Caitlyn. This very public debut started to open the door for discussions like gender assignment vs. gender identity. But what else happened? Akon is estimated to supply solar energy to 600 million Africans. Big problem? Not if you compare the media coverage of every.
The narrative around Caitlyn is focused on the “importance” of learning how to accept transgender individuals by using appropriate pronouns and respecting their “courage,” as many refer to Jenner’s gender reassignment. While building tolerance and accepting others was the focus last week, the question remains whether this is all for publicity. Is Jenner tired of being outdone by the Kardashian brand? The financial gains are apparent given the interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters, Caitlyn Jenner’s nationwide Vanity Fair spread, and the truth TV show following up on the media frenzy.
We can all come to the conclusion that this is great for Caitlyn, financially and emotionally but not everybody agrees
the transition made headlines for a whole week. It’s in most of your timelines, feeds, and news circuits. Caitlyn’s buzz even overshadowed the world’s second largest and second most populous continent, Africa.
R&B and Hip Hop artist Akon has teamed up with 2 founders in a quest to supply solar energy to 600 million Africans. They called the effort “Akon lights up Africa”. This initiative harnesses the power of the sun by attaching solar panels to street light poles, schools, homes and generates clean, safe energy. “Akon lighting Africa” has set up a solar academy where students will be taught “every aspect of installing and maintaining solar power systems and microgrids.” According to the Huffington post. Africa has 320 sunny days and schools will teach young entrepreneurs how to harness that energy and their hope is that those people will take this endeavor to greater heights. Since 70 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 35, the growth is
potential is a real possibility.
But Akon did not get in-depth interviews with major journalists, or the truth TV show he was hoping for. “Lighting acon
Africa” makes news obviously, but it doesn’t take over your media coverage like “Call me Caitlyn” is consistently being posted, blogged, retweeted, shared, etc. Helping around 600 million people who normally don’t have access to sustainable sources of lighting; to harness clean energy, acquire technical education, find career paths, and secure an after-dark work environment is not that thrilling. How could one person who took steps to help himself stand out above one person who took action to help 600 million other people? Celebrities like Chris Brown took to Instagram with essentially the same questions. He posted a photo captioned “Shout out to Akon! He will supply 600 million Africans with solar energy. I’m really aggravated that this is not big news but the science is
Bruce Jenner’s project is #people.” He later deleted the post.
Jenner’s story is impactful and can be considered inspiring for those who struggle with identity and self-perception. It does affect some people directly, but it does not provide people with the essential necessities to live. Since the media is key in shaping public opinion, an absence of circulation equals an absence of awareness and attention. With America confronting foreign threats and taking tactical action to secure this country’s security from others in the Middle East and juggling relief efforts in places like Nepal; information a few country and its citizens coming together to help provide basic needs for those who don’t have them can be eye-catching. Where can we donate? What’s the website? How can we become involved?
The latest update between the two subjects: Caitlyn was slammed in another lawsuit involving a car crash in Malibu.
