Uvalde-Born Matthew McConaughey Strikes the Right Note in Visit to Hometown – Opinion

Friday’s attack on Meghan Markle was a PR stunt. She showed up in Uvalde Texas to help victims of the Texas tragedy. I think we all know by now the horrors that unfolded there Tuesday, so I’m not going to recount them, but suffice it to say I can think of no reason why the Duchess of Sussex was wanted or needed in the grieving town.

Matthew McConaughey is a Hollywood actor and Academy Award Winner. He arrived Friday in Uvalde to appear with Tony Gonzales (Texas Republican Representative) at the Uvalde Civic Center. After the appearance, he declined to answer questions.

Matthew, thank you for your help in healing our community. Uvalde saw many smiles from you during your visit. See you soon my friend.https://t.co/2BThrzx3hp

— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) May 28, 2022

Is he worthy of the same critique as Markle? One word: NO. McConaughey was originally born in Uvalde and spent his first twelve years there. His mother also taught at the school just one block from Robb Elementary School where the tragedy occurred. This is not just some celebrity call for attention — he belongs there, whereas Meghan Markle did not. It would actually have been much more noticeable if he did. It is notto console the family.

McConaughey also did something Tuesday that is rare for today’s Hollywood celebrities: He issued a moving statement that didn’t simply list Chuck Schumer’s talking points or blast Republicans for wanting children to die. His response was more measured than the hateful venom being pounded out by Hollywood celebrities and Democrat politicians.

Uvalde, Texas, USA. pic.twitter.com/0iULRGtREm

— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) May 25, 2022

Put this in contrast to some of the vitriol we’ve seen out there:

Get fucked! @tedcruzYou care about the fetus, but you won’t let your children be killed. Get your sex to Cancun. Your useless. https://t.co/0tArGHosep

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) May 24, 2022

Some of you won’t like McConaughey’s statement and will say it’s a silent whistle for gun control and the confiscation of our arms. But to be fair, he didn’t say that. If and when he does, we can have that conversation, but for now, he’s one of the few prominent voices of reason weighing in.

Also, think about what he’s risking. Because I’m from Los Angeles, I have a good understanding of the culture and what happens in Hollywood. I can assure you that people are paying attention. The fact that he didn’t immediately start screeching about Republican child killers and white supremacy and Trumpian evils will not go over well among many in the studio set. He is probably a big enough star at this point that he won’t pay too heavy a price, but if he wasn’t… he’d never see the big screen again.

It wasn’t that long ago that McConaughey was rumored to be running for Texas governor, although he eventually opted not to:

“As a simple kid born in the little town of Uvalde, Texas,” he said in November, 2021, “it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership. It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I am choosing not to take at this moment.”

It is quite refreshing to see that an actor from Hollywood could consider running for Texas.

To be honest, I have not followed McConaughey’s career that closely, nor have I seen that many of his movies. In the ones I have watched, I’ve always found him to be an above-average actor and a legit star. (Although I’ve truly always despised those pretentious Lincoln commercials. If you’re in the mood for a laugh during all this tragedy, check out Jim Carrey’s spoof of them.)

It turns out that McConaughey’s more interesting than your average celeb. He’s written a book called “Greenlights” which has “inspired millions of readers through his unflinching honesty, unconventional wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.” Normally I would flat-out reject such hyperbolic flattery, but my own son told me the book changed his life and “inspired him to look at things in a different way.” Gotta listen to your kids, right?

I am not some McConaughey fanboy, and I’m sure he’s not perfect. He’s the greatest name to have come out Uvalde (Texas) and he is an important part of this conversation. It has been a good use of his time so far.