Trying too hard

Sometimes, you just have to let something perfect and amazing and unexpectedly wonderful be. Unfortunately, trying to force that sort of rare convergence of events and inspirations to come about a second time is kind of like trying to get lightning to strike twice--foolish at best, dangerous at worst.

The many celebrities who support Barack Obama but who didn't get the invite to participate in will.i.am's wonderful "Yes we can" video last month have instead attempted to do it again in "we are the ones we have been waiting for." They have Jessica Alba, George Lopez, John Leguizamo, and a host of others. But it all feels a little...empty. Forced. Sad, even. Take a gander:



It's disappointing because by doing this they risk cheapening the effectiveness and brilliant beauty of the first video. I know a lot of people want to help, want to lend their voices and their celebrity so they can feel like they are part of this movement, this historic rise of a person who is bringing together people from all walks of life. I cannot blame them for wanting to help, for wanting to be part of something. The problem is, the thing they should've been part of was already made and shown a million times on YouTube a month ago.