From a Girl Interrupted to a Woman UN Ambassador
I remember seeing Angelina Jolie on a late-night TV show years ago talking about her odd relationship with Billy-Bob Thorton (do you remember the thing about them holding vials of each other’s blood around their necks?). She also told a story about how she tried to hire a hit-man to kill her, making it easier for her loved ones to cope with the loss of her than if she committed suicide. I remember thinking that she was very beautiful, but also very lost. I never pictured her as someone who would help the world to the extent that she is today.
In 2001, she became a United Nations High Commission for Refugees Ambassador (UNHCR), and has traveled to over 20 countries meeting refugees. On the UNHCR site, you can see her missions, journals and activities in the news. Here is a quote from one of her missions in New Delhi, India talking to some Burmese refugees:
"It’s very upsetting to hear about the persecution the refugees have endured," Jolie said. After a conversation with two Burmese women, one shyly told Jolie: "You look like an actress." Added the second one: "Are you a film star?"
"That’s why I am in India, making a film," Jolie replied, "but I came up to Delhi just to visit with you. I am honored to be able to meet you. You are very strong women. You are amazing."
In this video, you can see her break into tears at the thought of a refugee boy who could not be saved. I find it inspiring that she uses her fame to bring visibility to this important issue. Also, she kills the stereotype that beautiful women don’t have substance. Instead, she uses her beauty (one of the reasons that she is famous) to help suffering people in the world. Her fame and visibility make the rest of the world pay attention to these issues instead of forgetting and falling into easy complacency. I remember Brad Pitt saying something like "if cameras are going to follow us around everywhere anyway, they might as well be showing Africa too".
By putting aside her emotional issues, getting out of bad relationships, becoming a Mom and helping the world, Angelina is redefining what it means to go from a girl to a woman. Even in a world where females do not want to get older, and many want to stay young forever, Angelina’s version shows the strength and compassion that can come with maturity.
I find it more notable that she is putting her life in service to others. If we all did this, at least some of the time, instead of obsessing over our own situations, imagine what the world it could be? Good post.
Agreed. I just became a monthly doner to the UNHCR and am aiming to use my marketing skills to fundraise – I have done this in the past for other orgs with success.
Angie has been a brutally honest soul since forever, when she spoke during her interviews back then, I could see that it wasn’t for cheap publicity, that was exactly how she was at that point in time.
Most cutters are numb to feeling but really ‘feeling’ is what they desire most.
If I remember right, it was during her first Tomb Raider movie where she came into contact with the massive impoverished (area) that is the third world.
Where most people would’ve been content to donate a few dollars and get on with their lives, she had a sincere desire to make some real and lasting differences. That would not happen to just anyone, even Bono would not dedicate so much time out for charity.
I don’t think she cares much for anything fake or contrived, nor have any patience or tolerance for stuff most people call ‘personal development’.
What we’re seeing is a realist who walks the talk in every sense of the phrase, a person who listens to their heart and do whatever it says with complete abandon.
If only there were more people like her the world would indeed be a better place.
Having more difficult times yourself leads to more compassion for others. So, I think that the two stages in Angie’s life described are linked.
I disagree with your black-and-white view of personal development and giving money to charity. There is not one way to be a “real person”. What is fake and contrived for one, is real for another. Just because you disagree with personal development or giving money to charity (instead of acting) doesn’t mean the people who do it are somehow inferior or insincere. At least these people are trying.
I think that the worst thing is to choose to do nothing while there is suffering in the world.