Audra McDonald on her "destiny"

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 5/11/17 at 4:35pm

Hiya,

Chatted with Audra McDonald ahead of her performance the State Theatre gala in New Brunswick, NJ, this weekend. We talked about giving back, particularly her work with Covenant House, and why she chooses to speak out.

"Causes are close and personal to my heart for a myriad of reasons — I’m female, I’m a mother, I’m African-American, I’m an ally with the LGBT community and I’m a citizen of the human race. I also think about posterity and I think about when my children are grown, and my grandchildren are grown. And when they look back I hope that they would see that their mother, grandmother, great-grandmother spoke up and did what she could to help out in the world because I would want them to do the same."

Check it out here if you're so inclined: 'It was destiny': Audra McDonald on giving back

Anyone going to be at the concert?

[Kad]

Posted: 5/11/17 at 4:39pm

She really is just perfection, isn't she?

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 5/11/17 at 6:56pm

Kad said: "She really is just perfection, isn't she?"

Indeed. You can't fake the enthusiasm and effort in giving back, she truly practices what she preaches in addition to that TALENT!

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/11/17 at 8:20pm

she truly is Destiny's Child

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 2:52am

Please pardon this little bit of cynicism in an otherwise uplifting thread.

The celebrities and entertainers who appear in events to raise money for and increase awareness of some social problems are not making much of a sacrifice. They are getting together with other entertainers, many their friends, having a good time joking with their friends about common enemies, and feeling good and superior about themselves and what they are accomplishing.

Meanwhile, out on the mean streets, record numbers of homeless are in the same places at which I saw them 25 years ago. In this most proudly progressive city, the numbers of homeless is increasing at a time when it is declining in the other large cities in the country. And don't look for Audra or any other stars bending down over such a body working as hard as possible to save the unknown but still alive human beings.  No Little Sisters of the Poor." And don't look for me, either.

That's all. Return to your feelgood sentiments.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 3:53am

Kad said: "She really is just perfection, isn't she?

 

"

EXACTLY my thoughts, without even a hint of irony.

[JBC3]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 5:57pm

OlBlueEyes said: "Please pardon this little bit of cynicism in an otherwise uplifting thread.

 

Little bit? I would hate to see a large dose.

The celebrities and entertainers who appear in events to raise money for and increase awareness of some social problems are not making much of a sacrifice. They are getting together with other entertainers, many their friends, having a good time joking with their friends about common enemies, and feeling good and superior about themselves and what they are accomplishing."

Point taken, but you are generalizing about a very diverse group of individuals with varying degrees of commitment. I think Audra is one of the exceptions to your assertions as evidenced by her longstanding and consistent actions.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 10:37pm

Audra is special. I don't think anyone else could have gotten me out to see anything as dark as Porgy and Bess. But I didn't really know it was that dark. In the high school band we played these cheerful tunes "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'" and "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "Summertime and it seemed like they were having a pretty good time on Catfish Row.

I went into the City a lot this winter for shows and concerts and other events. And it could have been back in the 70s, with the same people sprawled on air ducts and in sheltered walls of buildings, often with the bottle. New York thinks that it's so progressive and caring, yet homelessness hits records here while it is down in so many other cities.

I'm as guilty as anyone. I donate pretty regularly to the subway musicians, but that's all.

https://www.bowery.org/homelessness/facts-homelessness/

I did volunteer at a homeless shelter on Long Island in the 90s. What we did to those Vietnam Vets. Fifty thousand men, mostly boys, were killed there, but at least an equal number returned to the U.S. permanently handicapped in body or mind.

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:18am

olblueeyes, I went to high school with a girl who later voiced one of the "Disney princesses". She's by no means as famous as Miss McDonald and her original film came out 25 years ago, yet even now, she devotes as much as several days per week or more to charity.

I watched her perform a 2+ hour benefit and then spend another hour or more greeting several hundred children from the audience--on the night of her father's funeral. I tried to suggest she just say a few words to the remaining crowd and then go home, but she wouldn't leave until each child got to speak to her individually.

Much of her charitable work is never covered in the press. Most draining are the many friendships with dying children she has made over the years through the Make a Wish Foundation. She stays in touch with those kids who want to hear from her--until they die.

Are there subsidiary benefits? Well, one highlight was spending a few days signing autographs with her hero, Julie Andrews, but the "hanging out with friends" you describe is mostly posing for pictures with strangers.

I sincerely doubt Miss McDonald does any less. It's up to you, of course, but I think you should put that cynicism back in your pocket unless you know the celebrity in question personally.

If homelessness is rising, I'd blame modern Christianity's oh-so-convenient FWF ("Fair World Fallacy" in which people believe all misfortune is deserved), politicians who are more concerned with wealthy contributors than with helping the people they are supposed to serve, and voter selfishness. I don't think Miss McDonald or my friend can be blamed for it.

(Sorry if this post seems strident. I first wrote it last night, but my computer ran out of power before I could post it. In recreating it, I fear I sound offended by your post, when I'm not.)

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 01:18 AM

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 2:24pm

Your opinions are always intelligent and well thought out, Gaveston. Not offended. In fact, I wrote that post of mine very late at night and when I re-read it I was afraid it might come across as criticism of Audra and the other entertainers. It was meant more as just a playful gibe. They don't know of any other way to help out, so they do what they know best.

I see where Audra is heavily involved in Covenant House, a major charity for homeless children, so right there Audra establishes that she is no lightweight. 

I think we may be underestimating the power of New York City to deal with this problem on its own, without "assistance" from the federal courts and agencies. This is a city of immense wealth, full of the highest educated with experience running great commercial enterprises. Under the right leadership, I'll bet that they could come pretty close to eliminating homelessness in New York. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:25pm

Here in Southern California, we have the advantage of year-round mild weather, so we too deal with a huge population of homeless. It's easier for such people to function in very large cities with crowds into which they can blend.

I don't pretend to have an answer, because I don't think the actual cause of the problem is local.

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 5/17/17 at 11:15am

I, too, live in Southern California.  As much as I might want to personally help the disadvantaged, we are encouraged not to do so.  Instead, it is recommended that we donate to various charities; and that is what I do.

And as for Ms. McDonald.  I am totally stoked.  Next May, one year from now, I will be driving north to see her perform with the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.  Yeah!