There’s a lot happening on the global stage right now. The U.S. has a keen focus on Venezuela, keeps tabs on Iran, and even has its eye on Greenland. However, within our own neighborhoods, a significant and urgent story is unfolding; that’s the case of Renee Good from Minneapolis.
Renee Good’s shooting, which took place right around awards season, ignited a widespread conversation. It occurred shortly after the Broadcast Film Critics Circle Awards and just before the Golden Globes, capturing headlines and dominating discussions on social media. This incident marked a critical moment for ICE and sparked fresh debates regarding immigration enforcement, reflecting genuine feelings of anxiety and sorrow.
This situation also drew attention from celebrities.
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We need to take time to grasp what both sides think about this shooting, reassess their reactions, and then formulate a plan for moving forward. What’s your plan? What will they say?
Nothing quite encapsulates a culture like an awards show. The 2022 Oscars featured ribbons for Ukraine, and there have been past years with pins advocating for refugees. We’ve witnessed contrasting statements on red carpets addressing issues like Gaza and Israel. So, when I sat down to watch the Golden Globes, I pretty much anticipated seeing some sort of pin.
What I didn’t foresee was how vague those messages turned out to be, alongside how few people actually wore them.
This year, the pins were intended to reflect the situations surrounding Renee Good and ICE moments, yet many were open to interpretation. One pin simply said “BE GOOD,” clearly a nod to Renee’s last name, but it could easily confuse viewers. Be good to whom, exactly? To law enforcement? To immigrants? To the administration?
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Another pin read “ICE OUT,” but it was quite understated and lacked the directness seen in previous movements, such as the iconic Israeli yellow ribbon. Plus, the phrase “ice me out,” often heard in music, has drifted away from immigrant-related conversations.
Some might find it a bit dull. Traditionally, actors have used these pins as a means to spark discussions on the red carpet, often elaborating during interviews post-event.
To be fair, a few took that approach. Mark Ruffalo delivered an emotional speech on the red carpet, which was not surprising given his history of political activism in Hollywood. Jean Smart, who later won an award, spoke on the carpet about the irritation some feel towards actors who express their views. Yet, in her acceptance speech, she noted she had already made her points earlier.
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Now, onto the speeches.
If someone had been awarded at the 2026 Golden Globes amidst the peak of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, it would be hard to believe they did not acknowledge the turmoil over the police shooting of a woman. Political references during acceptance speeches were scarce, which was eye-opening given that one of the prominent films that night was centered on democracy and resistance against police states.
This stark silence stands in contrast to recent years. At the 2023 Oscars, nearly every speech tackled significant social issues. Ke Huy Quan spoke of his refugee journey, and shortly before, Tennessee had banned drag shows. When Daniel Kwan won the directing award, he called attention to how “drag is a threat to everyone.”
Personally, I don’t mind award ceremonies where speeches are brief and focused on pressing social justice issues. It can be refreshing to just enjoy movies and fashion for a few hours.
However, many viewers seem to count on these moments. Social media was buzzing with frustration over the lack of substantial commentary, and there was a collective disappointment regarding important global issues that weren’t addressed.
This underlines the nature of celebrity activism—it often feels fleeting.
For genuine impact beyond the news cycle, sacrifices are needed. Marlon Brando, for example, famously boycotted the Oscars, opting to send a Native American woman to deliver his message. I wasn’t alive then, yet it remains a significant piece of cultural history. It mattered to him because it cost him something; pins just don’t carry that weight.
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We also need to stop looking to celebrities for moral guidance. During the 2024 campaign, Kaala Harris had major stars attend her rallies. If you’re at a political event, you’ll likely hear from the likes of Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, with star power aimed at boosting voter turnout. However, it tends to energize those already in the loop.
Once the Golden Globe ceremony wrapped and the attendees changed into their after-party outfits, those pins vanished. Without cameras and red carpets, the urgency to convey a message just seemed to fade away.
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