I wasn't going to get involved in the clusterfuck that the TH fandom has become over the past few days, but -- I'm bored and feeling uncharacteristically fractious, bring it on.
(Just so there's no attempt at derailing: the majority of my family live in India, many of them subsisting well below the poverty line, but I myself am fortunate enough to be financially stable. Making this post is not an attempt to demonize TH or anyone in the fandom for their ignorance, nor an attempt to paint myself as a victim of said ignorance, but rather to point out what seems to be a problematic line of thinking.)
First of all, point blank, the #belowtheline project is in poor taste. Hiddleston's intent is obvious -- he realizes that he was born into privilege, he is not attempting to liken his own manufactured struggles to that of those fighting true poverty, he is simply trying to raise awareness -- but that doesn't erase the fact that one white man eating a little less every day is a laughable show of support.
That said, what irritates me most about this shit are the idiots and sycophants on the internet who are ready to kiss his feet for being such a kind, giving fellow. He's being a decent man! In a rather stupid way, yes, but a decent man nonetheless. That said, decency is not the path to canonization. Let me reiterate: TH'S PRETTINESS DOES NOT ELEVATE HIS DECENCY TO SAINTLINESS.
More importantly, if you want to help the poor, stop making googly-eyes at TH's bumbling awareness-raising efforts, and start doing research into organizations that will change the infrastructure in and of itself. Our current system (marginal donations in the name of "charity") is actually perpetuating poverty rather than relieving it. (i.e. Giving a man a fish makes him dependent on you for the next. Give the man a net and a spear and he'll catch his own tomorrow.) THIS is a great article on the subject. Bill Gates, via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is also very proactive when it comes to solving the root causes of poverty rather than alleviating its symptoms.
Take home message: I'm very fond of Hiddles. He doesn't deserve to be crucified for an honest attempt at raising awareness, no matter how ill-advised the attempt is. He also doesn't deserve to have his boots licked for what he's done. If you agree with the message he's sending, follow the breadcrumbs and open your heart to those in need. TH is not among that number.
Come on, Tumblr, I believe in you. Stop being shitheads.
