Why is film trash bad for kids but OK for us?
By Gayle Allen Cox
[Gayle Allen Cox is a free-lance writer who lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Article reprinted by permission of the author.
This article first appeared in the Dallas Morning News, 10-18-2000.]
A group of Hollywood studio executives were recently raked over the coals by
the Senate Commerce Committee for their unfathomable and indefensible
decision to market R-rated films to children – some as young as 10. Although
no one promised to stop the practice, four of the eight executives agreed to
a set of voluntary guidelines issued by the Motion Picture Association of
America. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., wasn’t pleased with the guidelines.
“Friends, we are in a town where we get into interesting discussions about
what the definition of ‘is’ is,” he said. “I don’t understand this
language. I think it is filled with loopholes.” Joe Lieberman, the vice
presidential nominee who gladly accepts Hollywood’s money, weighed in on the
debate, too. “I would say the entertainment industry has taken some steps
forward, but to put it bluntly as I can, what they did today isn’t enough,”
he said. “They didn’t explicitly say that they would stop marketing
adult-rated products to our children.” Well, well. Here we go again: pointing
fingers at Hollywood and bemoaning the fact that Tinseltown has turned into
Trashtown. Alas, the once venerated silver screen now is tarnished with
blatant brutality, illicit sex, obscene language and all things bad for our
youngsters, heaven help us and boohoo. Pardon my cynicism, but whenever I
hear of people seeking to protect children from the evils of Hollywood, I get
a little irritated. Not because protecting children from Hollywood’s trash
isn’t a noble thing to do – it is, of course. But my cynicism stems from the
fact that adults don’t endeavor to live their lives in the same manner they
want their children to live theirs: hearing no evil, seeing no evil and
speaking no evil.
They want two sets of rules: one for themselves and one for their kids. In
essence they are saying Hollywood’s trash is OK for me but not for you ,
kiddo. Do as I say, not as I do. Perhaps I am a little dense here, but would
someone explain to me how a violent, sexually explicit movie is bad for
children but OK for adults? Don’t tell me it is because adults aren’t
affected by the sight of wickedness. Indeed, they are. They may not react to
the sight of wickedness in the same way a child would, but they are affected
nonetheless. Each time they watch a wicked deed, their senses grow a little
more numb until, finally, wickedness no longer appears wicked. Wrong no
longer appears wrong. Their sensitivities are seared, their spiritual beings
are depleted, and only when looking through the eyes of their children do
they see things the way they really are.
Call me a prude, if you please, but I am one adult who refuses to partake of
Hollywood’s trash. (I trust I am not alone. I don’t think I am.) Avoiding
the pitfalls of desensitization is reason enough, but there are others.
First, why should I trust Hollywood (a town filled with immoral people who
embrace everything under the sun except righteousness) to dictate what is or
isn’t acceptable viewing for me and my family? Just because something is
“adult rated” doesn’t mean it is adult appropriate. For the most part, filth
is filth is filth. Second, Hollywood’s concept of entertainment leaves my
Christian values and personal convictions ripped to shreds and hanging out to
dry. I can’t, in good conscience, purposely surround myself with things I
believe are sinful – vile language, casual sex and casual bloodshed – in
hopes of discovering a redeeming nugget of truth somewhere at the bottom of
the dung heap.
Hollywood executives might not like my decision, but Christ does. Christ
hates violence, immorality and hearing his name called in vain. And he hates
lies, too – in any shape, form or fashion. Of course, my abstaining from evil
doesn’t make me a saint. And the high road isn’t always easy to travel. But
the high road always is the right road to travel. And it is the only means of
cleaning up Tinseltown’s tarnished silver screen – for those of you out
there who still are interested.
Hear me loud and clear: Hollywood won’t change its behavior (not even for
adorable, innocent, little children) until you change yours. Forget slaps on
the wrist from congressional committees. Forget threats of legislation.
Forget a sudden surge of morality on the West Coast. The only way to clean up
Hollywood’s trash is for adults to take the high road and refuse to partake
of it. To live their lives as they desire their children to live theirs: free
from evil influences that destroy the senses and oxidize the soul. It might
not be easy. But nothing worthwhile ever is.
Please forward this Important Article to all concerned with the development
of Children.
Thanks
AB
"Hollywood is run by Jews; it is owned by Jews--and they should have a
greater sensitivity about the issue of people who are suffering. Because...we
have seen...the greaseball, we've seen the Chink, we've seen the slit-eyed
dangerous Jap, we have seen the wily Filipino, we've seen everything but we
never saw the kike. Because they knew perfectly well, that that is where you
draw the [line]."
--[Marlon] Brando on Larry King Live
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