I have read numerous blog posts, articles, and news clips
that have sewn a scarlet letter onto their seal of disapproval regarding Fifty Shades of Grey. The culminating stance is that a horrible message is being
shared and the only outcome is a moral downfall. I've never read the books nor
have I seen the movie, but to put myself above those who have read and/or seen
the book/movie is hypocritical. In fact, if I start pointing and judging, I may
as well insert myself into the biblical parable about casting stones. Don't get
me wrong, I'm not condoning the books or the movie; I just think it is
important to take a step back and look at media in general.
In a 5 minute sitting, I can flip the channels on the
television and find sex, drugs, violence, abuse, addiction, and inappropriate
language. It can be naively argued that what is on television is appropriate. I
mean, it wouldn't be on the basic channels if it was negative and nasty, would
it? Fifty years ago, married couples on television shows slept in separate
beds; nudity was non-existence; the only thing close to violence was the
comedic routine of The Three Stooges. There is a part of me that longs for a
simpler time, but I'm also aware that moral agency is a freedom that cannot be
suppressed.
With a major growth spurt in the world of technology, good
things are happening. Poverty, illiteracy, and so many other challenges are
getting the attention they deserve. Human beings are being human. It's
beautiful. It's inspiring. Sadly, opposition in all things is an adage that
won't go away. Insatiable, self-serving appetites have access to the same
knowledge that is being used for good. They have a way of twisting and
distorting truths; they can turn fiction into a reality; they will take the
candle being used as a source of light and use your flesh to put it out. For
them, darkness is a much easier place to hide.
I am aware of the good and bad in the world. I've tried
living under the 'ignorance is bliss' canopy, but I've seen enough darkness to
deny its existence. As I get older, I am becoming more aware of my moral
compass; choosing my own path, however, is cake when compared to making sure
those I love get started off on the right foot. Knowing that I have to gauge
what is or is not appropriate on nearly every television channel is overwhelming.
If I am worried about what young eyes are viewing on my watch, I probably need
to step outside of myself long enough to give my ethical and moral self the
same advice I'm giving to young children.
I'm not perfect; never have been and never will be. But if
I've learned anything from the manure that hit the fan when feminism and
decency and chivalry and moral codes came out of hiding when 50 shades was
advertised, it is the simple idea that I am the one in control when it comes to
what I read and what movies I see. Let's be honest, the world is no longer full
of balloons and unicorns and free puppies; darkness and death and devastation
are real. Sex sales and violence is imminent. But I'll be damned if I let my
moral code escape my grasp because I'm caught up in the 'grey' areas of media.
So today . . . today I'm not casting stones or pointing
fingers. In fact, I'm dumping the stones in my pockets. I don't want them to
weigh me down while I'm playing with the last litter of free puppies.
