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America's False Stance on Family
Values
By: Jason Cunningham
(11-21-06)
There is a growing
movement in America towards restoring so-called "family values.
Janet Jackson's Superbowl performance, a few years back and political elections brings these "family values" organizations to
our television sets. Often, these "not for profit" groups are
focused on banning something on television or trying to get their
chosen politician or political agenda passed.
Urban music is a
popular target of the "family values establishment." A couple of
years ago, Janet Jackson's nipple ring at the Superbowl and her
so-called dirty dancing caught worldwide attention. The NFL seems to
have taken a policy of avoiding "so-called" raunchy lyrics and
dancing in halftime musical acts. Yet, these "family organizations"
seem to turn a blind eye to the NFL's skimpy dressing cheerleaders,
commercials concerning erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption. What do we really need to protect our children
from?
The greatest hypocrisy of the American culture is
its treatment of minorities. In earlier films and television shows,
African Americans, Asians, and Native Americans were often portrayed
in a negative light. However, it is not uncommon for individuals to
speak of "the golden age of television," which included shows such
as The Little Rascals, The Lone Ranger, Tom and Jerry Cartoon, and
Bugs Bunny. These shows, which were aimed at a children audience,
made African Americans appear inferior, portrayed Native Americans
as savages, and showed Asians with stereotypical slanted eyes.
Ironically, in 2006, you still can watch these shows on television!
Where is the "family values" outrage? I am so tired of the excuse,
"Well things were different back then." It was wrong when it was
made and things have not changed.
It is also fascinating that urban and African
American movies with gun violence are considered culturally
unacceptable by many within the "family
values establishment." Some of these same individuals see nothing
with the late John Wayne or the American icon, Clint Eastwood
blasting people in a movie. American has made heroes out of killers
such as Billy the Kid or Butch Cassidy. So what's the difference?
The consistency is just not present.
The "family values
establishment" has definite holes in their message. In some cases,
they turn a blind eye to certain entities including the NFL, because
it supports some of their similiar interests. Yet, there is growing
hostility towards the hip-hop community for its images, dancing, and
the movies they help inspire. Unfortunately, racist shows of the
past, which are still on the air, do get not seem to catch the same
criticism that urban movies seem to enjoy.
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