Nov
Queen of YouTube
Lorna Freeman
Jordan’s Queen Rania recently received YouTube’s inaugural Visionary Award for her video blog through which, the Associated Press reports, “she sought to challenge stereotypes of the Arab and Muslim world and encourage dialogue across cultures.”
I frequently visit YouTube. But I typically use it to decompress by a) viewing the latest goofy video that makes me laugh, b) looking for pirated recordings of concerts I’ve attended or c) watching clips from late night talk shows I’m too old to stay up late to watch.
Queen Rania used it for something different: in March of this year she put a call out on YouTube asking people from around the world to send her the stereotypes they see as being typically associated with the Arab world. She then tasked herself with responding to every single one in an effort to break them down one by one. Access her channel here.
The YouTube Visionary award was created to recognize people who use the website as a platform for positive social change. In short, YouTube has grown up. And has grown a conscience. And I, for one, think it’s fantastic.
Queen Rania has successfully achieved something PR professionals work for every day: she took a communications medium, used it for a new purpose, and broke through the clutter as a result. In her own words: “I’m not claiming a video can change the world, but maybe it can help us change some minds.”
When is your next post????
Dad