As they say, no good deed goes unpunished…
Internet sensation MrBeast, known for his jaw-dropping challenges and benevolent gestures, recently embarked on a mission to bring fresh water to communities in Africa.
Yet, despite his noble intentions, the YouTuber’s altruistic efforts have sparked controversy in the online world.
The saga began with MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, teasing his latest video project on Twitter.
He exclaimed, “We’ve spent over 8 months working on tomorrow’s video, and it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done! SO EXCITED FOR YOU ALL TO WATCH IT.”
However, as soon as the video dropped, critics began to surface. Some accused him of self-promotion and insensitivity.
Responding to the backlash, MrBeast acknowledged the impending cancel culture storm, declaring, “I already know I’m gonna get canceled because I uploaded a video helping people, and to be 100% clear, I don’t care. I’m always going to use my channel to help people and try to inspire my audience to do the same.”
This predicament is not new in the world of online fame, as well-wishers often find themselves walking the fine line between boosting their image and making a positive impact.
For some, sharing their good deeds is seen as “boasting,” but for others, it is a source of inspiration.
MrBeast, a 25-year-old YouTube sensation with over 100 million subscribers, is no exception to this dilemma.
Among the critiques, one Twitter user, @munecatmusic, expressed, “Oo you’re ‘ard. We don’t give a fck that you’re helping people we’d just rather you didn’t make 90% of the runtime shots of Kenyan children treating you like you’re god while doing the bare minimum to address issues surrounding why they need wells in the first place.”
She continued, “NOT A SINGLE FCKING FLEETING MENTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE.”
A likeminded X user, @BlazkowiczCj, agreed: “I don’t know if Jimmy Donaldson is a good person or not, and I frankly don’t give a damn, I just find him using “helping people” to make money kinda gross.”
A self-confessed leftist, @Jeroendegarn, based on his bio, chimed in, saying: “He’s the best example of using philantropy as a shield against criticism. ‘But i do good thing, so i can’t also be an asshole…. right?'”
Despite these criticisms, MrBeast also found steadfast support from his fans.
One follower replied, “Many individuals are going hate you and your video content for silliest and nonsensical reasons, but keep being yourself and keep producing great content. Excellent job on the new video! It’s heartening to witness many people having access to fresh, safe drinking water.”
In his latest video, MrBeast embarked on a journey to Zimbabwe, where he and his team provided a hospital with a new water source. In Kenya, they collaborated with a local school and donated tanks for residents to store fresh water.
The YouTube sensation’s unwavering commitment to philanthropy is indeed remarkable.
Amidst the polarized reactions, the influencer’s fans have rallied behind him.
One supporter left a heartfelt comment, saying, “You are a good person. A hero in the eyes of all those you have helped. It doesn’t matter what others say.”
MrBeast’s dedication to making the world a better place has not gone unnoticed. Some admirers urged him to share the cost breakdown of his projects and even appealed for him to encourage the U.S. government to follow suit in his charitable endeavors.
Notably, MrBeast’s actions prompted activist Boniface Mwangi to question the Kenyan government’s priorities. Mwangi criticized the Members of Parliament in Kenya, accusing them of living luxuriously while failing to provide basic necessities like boreholes for their communities.
“We are a shameful, horrible country. Every five years we give newly elected members of parliament and senators a Sh5 million car grant to fuel those cars every month,” lamented the activist. “But we have no money to drill boreholes for our people? We are a begging nation governed by multimillionaires.”
The Daily Netizen 