What Would Susan Boyle Do?
by AARON HORWITZ, Contributing Writer
We’ve all seen her adorable face (and heard her incredible voice) splashed all over the internet by now. Less than two weeks ago, frumpy, 47-year-old Susan Boyle appeared before three judges and a massive audience on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent and stole everyone’s heart. Since that time, she’s been a media darling, with an appearance on Larry King Live and her own fan site. Her now-famous performance has attracted well over 50 million views on YouTube alone. If you still don’t know who I’m talking about, watch Boyle’s appearance on Britain’s Got Talent!
Much can be taken from Susan Boyle’s sudden emergence and success. For one, the immediate and wide-ranging power of social media is evident now more than ever. Because of YouTube, Susan became much more than just another show contestant that got three “Yes” votes. Causecast organizations like Witness and Invisible Children are already aware of the power of online media, and use it to share videos and promote their messages as well.
It’s also important to remember that before Susan was thrust into the international spotlight, she was (and still is) a volunteer at her local church in the tiny Scottish village of Blackburn. Thus, it’s likely that philanthropy is an issue she holds dear, so how can Susan wield her newfound fame and power? Something music-related, perhaps? Maybe she’ll be invited to take part in the next Music For Relief fundraiser? She may also be encouraged to get involved with the wonderful teen empowerment work being done at Step Up Women’s Network. The help they provide could have greatly aided Susan in her youth, when she was too concerned about being judged by her physical appearance to truly go out and show the world what she could offer.
Regardless of what she does next, Boyle is a shining example that any one person, any one voice, can take the world by storm. So, how will you use yours?
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Arts
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