I Blame the Media…
Someone on facebook wrote:
"...baffled by the amount of young people that are trying on homosexuality like they try on shoes. What has caused this sudden influx of gayness?"
This caused me to really pay attention to things going on around me.. I thought enough of the question to do an experiment.. So I decided to take note of the homosexuality witnessed just in one week in primetime media.. (because what people do in their own lives is their business)
Findings (of just a few shows that I don't watch on a normal basis, but for the purpose of the experiment made an exception):
Heroes - The college cheerleader and her roomate kiss
Melrose Place - Female was hired to try to "persuade" one of the characters to work for another PR firm by coming on to her sexually.
Gossip Girl - There was a 3 some.
Brothers and Sisters - One of the main characters is gay
Greek - Some of the main characters are gay
House - "13" is bi-sexual
And probably the largest one talked about this week, American Music Awards - Chris Lambert kisses his keyboardist. Kids are still awake people!! Children are very impressionable at ANY age, they're still learning right from wrong. (If you're an adult and you feel homosexuality is right for you, then all power to you, but as a heterosexual parent, I think I should have a right to be at least warned if there's a potential for my kids to see something I'd rather them not. I don't even let my kids see GI Joe because I think it's too violent. So don't start in on me w/ the morality issues.)
Now GLAAD is going off on CBS for blurring out the kiss..
In a lame attempt at trying to cover their tracks, the following morning when discussing how wrong his actions were, CBS then proceed to SHOW the Britney/Madonna Kiss from a few years ago WITHOUT blurring it. Are we as a society trying to create a doublestandard here? Is it "ok" or "acceptible" to see women all over eachother, but it's perceived to be "more wrong" when men do it? I've heard that it's more "sensual" and "seductive" to see two women together, but to see two men is just... GROSS..
I'm not one to blame the media for anything I do, but I know that others (weakminded) ARE influenced by what they see or hear. I also know that the media in efforts to be more "realistic" tries to mimic life. Some easily influenced people try to mirror what they see as acceptable, and the media feeds off of life. It's a symbiotic relationship. This really is no different than the impulse to buy something you see a celebrity wearing on a show, or something you see on a commercial. Homosexuality is now being "advertised" in pretty much the same way. It's being passed on as "normal" or even "glamourous".
In a way, I DO blame the media for not giving us a choice or proper warning, and in another way I don't. And you can't say, "If you don't like it, don't watch TV." That would be like saying don't open your eyes, because it IS everywhere. In the media's defense, this would be a completely different conversation if a major TV station made a new show that had NO Blacks, NO Hispanics, and NO Asians. Well guess what? Homosexuals are also a group that have to be represented as well.
At the end of the week, I've found myself back to being de-sensitized to the whole thought of homosexuality in the media once again. This was just an exercise in thought for me. It never really got me emotionally "riled up" or even angry. But I guess that goes to me not really being influenced by what others do. I'm content in my life and feel that everyone deserves to be happy and I wish everyone was, but that's never going to be the case as long as people are different from one another. Someone HAS to have something to say.. I think that's the definition of a "HATER". I would hate for someone to have put in their facebook "Man, what's up with all these African Americans in the media. Of course they'd probably use a different word. So what can you do? Maybe they should see it from that "side of the tracks".
Here's my closing thoughts: I'm not taking sides, nor passing judgement here. I'm just trying to get to the root of someone's question and it provoked my interest. The media mimics real life. Homosexuality has been around longer than any of us reading this blog.. It was a staple in the Roman Empire. It was thought to make a king stronger to have young boys as concubines. It was socially acceptable then and over time has become taboo. Well, I guess it's coming back around again because it's being readily fed through the media. I think what made homosexuals creep back into the metaphorical "closet" was the first thought that AIDS/HIV was a "homosexual" disease in the 80s-90s. So of course you wouldn't want to be perceived as sick just because of your sexual preference. That doesn't mean homosexuality went away, it was just more "underground". As we've become more educated and accepting of change (I know you can't argue that we're more accepting, we have a black president for goodness sake), more socially liberal, if you will, people find it empowering to show their true thoughts, beliefs and diversity. So you have more people opening the door to that "closet" and stepping out. To my the original question, I don't think they're "trying it on" I think they're just being honest with themselves.
November 26th, 2009 - 00:38
Solid post, tWalls. You’ve pretty much covered all the bases. I’m curious to see what others will say, seeing as I’ve got… nothing, haha.
November 26th, 2009 - 00:40
Homosexuality is a subject similar to politics and religion. It is reality, yet people are bias because of the fear of others may think of them. I have my own personal views on homosexuality, and the moral or Biblical teachings. I feel as though we as people are not in the place to judge, however we as followers of Christ are responsible to at least remind the world of the commandments and laws of God. But again, this is very controversial because the laws of man have removed the laws of God with the seperation of Church and State. Therefore, we are left to keep the Gods word in, and watch the world continue to fall in sin.
November 26th, 2009 - 12:28
A very pointed post Tony. I will go ahead and throw in my two cents.
First off, I wanted to point out that, in my opinion, the media is NOT a reflection of real life. It depends on how you define “the media,” but in my mind many of the outlets that we have access to today are so out of touch with reality that it is disturbing. Depending on which news station you watch, you can likely become a racist bigot. Watch the right TV shows and you will become desensitized to violence or sexuality.
Many people inform themselves based on the words of the talking heads on TV. They think that they are forming their own ideas independently, but in actuality they are being formed by the people or ideas that they expose themselves to on a regular basis. It’s like conditional training – if you hear someone rationalize homosexuality or racism or violence for a long enough period of time, you will eventually see it as acceptable on a certain level. You might not morally accept it at first, but you will gradually see it as more and more socially acceptable until you eventually start to question why you ever saw it as wrong in the first place.
I have seen it time and again where someone I know will start spewing the words of certain news pundits like they are the words of God. It truly makes me sad to think that they are going around “preaching” those words to others. I wont point out any specific news stations or channels on here so as not to offend anyone, but I personally have cast off the media due to their narrow-minded crusade of hatred and deception. I would much rather get my news from independent sources and be the judge of the content by myself.
All of that being said (phew), I guess I should make a point or two about the actual topic of homosexuality. I have personally been in contact with several people who claim or profess to be gay. I have seen some who are flamboyant about it and others who are very reserved about it. Typically, the ones who are reserved are the ones who don’t let it take center stage. They quietly go about their life and don’t shove it in the face of others. Do I typically go out and start groping the nearest woman that I see? No. Likewise, many of the homosexuals that I have known will keep it to themselves (whether it be for fear of not being accepted or just a desire to not have it define who they are or their relationships with others).
In my mind, homosexuals are a part of our society. You can not shun them like lepers and throw them into a pit. At the same time, I don’t really think that they should be glorified in front of the entire country on prime-time TV either. They are simply different from the norm and should be accepted as such. There will always be minorities or different schools of thought. I try to keep an open mind and embrace people for their value as an individual, not their sexual preference. An amazing writer who happens to be gay is still an amazing writer. A shrewd and successful business woman who happens to be a lesbian is still successful. The sooner that everyone can accept the difference of opinions and lifestyles, the sooner we can get on to solving real problems and dilemmas. The choice that someone makes in their partner is their own. Sometimes I wonder if the “hatred” that some people feel towards homosexuals is actually a secret sense of jealousy after seeing how happy those people are able to be even in the face of adversity. The same could be said for any group that has been historically ridiculed or shunned. Some people will always be there to cut down those who have found true happiness. I, for one, choose to not take away that happiness, regardless of my heterosexuality.
November 26th, 2009 - 14:11
Brit,
WOW.. Excellent point of view and very strong response. I too have written off various forms of “media” for informative purposes. For the purposes of my experiment, I had to watch these shows and I didn’t even know some of these shows existed. I’m not saying that the media is a one-to-one match of real life, of course they have to glorify/expunge certain aspects for “dramatic” purposes.. For the point of this exercise, I just focused on primetime TV.
How many shows have you seen where it’s a climactic event that “someone comes out gay” in a season.. I mean come on, that’s the big “ah-ha” moment of the whole build up of the season??? THAT’S IT?!?!?!?! Ok, so they’re gay, THAT is supposed to explain EVERYTHING that’s transpired that whole season on the show?
I think the media, TV in particular, have taken full advantage of appealing to people’s subconscious psyche. People are being affected and seeds are being planted w/out them even being aware. I think the point you made was right on point. “It’s like conditional training – if you hear someone rationalize homosexuality or racism or violence for a long enough period of time, you will eventually see it as acceptable on a certain level. You might not morally accept it at first, but you will gradually see it as more and more socially acceptable until you eventually start to question why you ever saw it as wrong in the first place.” Bravo brother…
Another great point, “I have seen it time and again where someone I know will start spewing the words of certain news pundits like they are the words of God.” I like to call those people “Article Experts”.. The read one article in a magazine, hear one episode of a radio show, watch one documentary, or something, and now they’re the resident expert on the topic. I always get bad looks because I question people’s authority to comment on subjects they know little about. Those people are always easy to pick out because they eventually say something that makes no sense, or has NO basis in anything logical. They just keep talking to try to make you believe them more. I think there’s a quote somewhere that says, “The person that speaks the most, listens the least…”.
I also agree with you that they shouldn’t be glorified more than any other group, however, how else do you show someone’s a homosexual other than showing their “sexual side”? In terms of racial diversity, that’s something you can “see”.. So how else would a show be able to show someone’s gay. Not all gay people are flamboyant, and not all flamboyant people are gay. That would worsen the problem to try to portray people’s extreme attributes and let that be the representation of the whole.. White people dressing in black-face suddenly comes to mind.
November 26th, 2009 - 14:23
JD,
Excellent point, and great basis.. However, my question is, at what point do we condemn people for not following the teachings of God? That’s what we as Christians are supposed to do right? Be soldiers for God and such? Are we supposed to just deliver the message and let people do what they want with it? If God is omnipotent, how could his laws be removed? God gave us free will, just like he doesn’t force us to follow or love him. He wants voluntary soldiers.
November 26th, 2009 - 17:07
Tony,
Awesome, awesome post brother. I love the stimulus as well. Bravo for posting about what’s important.
I want to talk about a few things that come to mind. First, when we talk about gay people from a Christian perspective, it’s important to remember that they are still God’s children, and should be regarded as such. No one can take the high road and claim they are better, and I think it’s important to remember to reject a judgemental spirit when we see it. THAT is being a true soldier for God. Standing by ALL principles of Christ. At the same time, it is our DUTY as Christians to remind people of all cirumstance (family, loved ones, friends, community) of the principles of right and wrong. We are to approach those that are blatantly and willingly living in sin and confront them. If they do not listen to us, we are to approach them with more people. If they still do not listen, we are to abandon them. Because, just like the old “one spoiled apple ruins the whole bunch” …the same is true of Christians. We are not impenetrable beings that are all knowing and incapable of falling down. If we surround ourselves with the sick, we eventually become sick as well.
So, as Christians, we must distance ourselves when people fail to realize their wrong. Do we do everything right? Absolutely not. But, is the desire in our hearts to do better that differentiates us from just another hypocrite in the mix. We are ALL hypocrites to some degree. But, it is our desires buried deep within our souls that drive us to do more, try harder, press on, and do what is necessary that brings us closer to God and strengthens us as the body of Chrsit. It’s the constant churn and conflict within our souls that define the strength of the body of Christ, and the only separation between Christians and those that walk alone is the simple truth that we realize we are here to serve a greater purpose, and that we reckognize and reconcile our faults each and every day to the best of our ability.
There was a time when I was considered a racist. I had been treated so poorly in a southern Georgia school that I was dumb enough to think that all black people hated white people, and that it was customary for a white person to get beat up when he was alone in the midst of blacks. Thank God I know better. I’ll be honest though, there are times when those buried emotions emerge again and I think hateful thoughts. It is by the spirit of God that I am able to not act on those, and it is His strength that strengthens me.
But to stay on topic, I am disgusted with media and their purporting of the gay agenda. It’s gotten to the point now that every movie has a gay person, a black person, a chinese person, and a lesbian or some combination similar to this. This is simply not the way the real world is.
So, I did the hard thing, and haven’t had TV in my house for over 12 years. I encourage everyone to do the same. You’ll be amazed at how much more time you have for what’s really important in life.
Thanks again, Tony!
November 26th, 2009 - 17:12
OH yeah! One more thing…I reject the concept that the original facebook poster wrote.
I believe that if you were to dig into the depths of America, you’ll find (as in other parts of the world), that the idea or sentiments that everyone is going gay is completely false. I don’t see any more gay people now than I did 20 years ago. The only difference between now and then is that they get a lot more coverage. The bottom line is that they comprise less than 1-2% of the population!
However…as long as that is the response…then the media has suceeded. All the more reason to turn it off!