Next time someone dismisses the idea that mass media can exert influence on American culture, point to a Jan. 18 New York Times article titled, "How the Movies Made a President." In that piece, Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott argue that fictional depictions of black U.S. presidents helped pave the way for a real one.
“The presidencies of James Earl Jones in ‘The Man,’ Morgan Freeman in ‘Deep Impact,”’ Chris Rock in ‘Head of State’ and Dennis Haysbert in ‘24’ helped us imagine Mr. Obama’s transformative breakthrough before it occurred,” the authors wrote. “In a modest way, they also hastened its arrival.”
Furthermore, Dargis and Scott say that a number of black filmmakers and movie stars have “helped write the prehistory of the Obama presidency.”
If the authors are correct and Hollywood did help lessen the role of race in the electoral equation, then it has performed a service to the nation and is to be commended. The mass media clearly holds tremendous power to influence public attitudes, and did so in this case for the better.
But the entertainment industry’s power of persuasion is not just a force for good. We shouldn’t forget issues where Tinseltown’s contributions haven’t been quite so constructive. From promoting sexual libertinism to glorifying violent crime to sewing anti-Americanism, the entertainment industry has a lot to answer for.
Here is a far-from-exhaustive list of issues and the Hollywood products that promote the liberal take on them.
Teens should have sex:
Forget abstinence. The message from these frolics is “Everybody’s doing it, or trying to do it, and you should too.”
Porky’s
American Pie
Cruel Intentions
Girl Next Door
Most Judd Apatow works
Gay and other “alternative” sexual preferences are to be celebrated:
They’re either “just like you” or they’re victims of a repressed and repressive society.
Big Love
Will and Grace
Brokeback Mountain
Boys Don’t Cry
Ellen
Drugs are cool and fun:
Stoned slackers bumble their way through life and, mostly come out on top. Reality is less forgiving, and irresponsibility has consequences.
Cheech & Chong movies
Pineapple Express
Harold & Kumar Movies
Abortion is noble:
Abortionists are humanitarians doing their part to help others. The lives of the infants they kill aren’t much considered.
The Cider House Rules
Vera Drake
Violent crime is cool and sexy:
Violence isn’t so bad, as long as you look and sound good while you’re doing it.
Bonnie & Clyde
Reservoir Dogs
Pulp Fiction
Kill Bill
The thug lifestyle is cool:
Even if characters do suffer consequences, bling, cash and cool dominate.
American Gangster
Notorious
Hustle and Flow
America and its military are corrupt and evil:
U.S. soldiers are either bloodthirsty psychopaths or hapless pawns. U.S. government (if Republican) is power-mad, greedy and without honor.
Platoon
Redacted
In the Valley of Elah
Stop Loss
Rendition
Lions for Lambs
The Bourne Identity
Law and Order
We could go on…
Matt Philbin is managing editor of the Culture & Media Institute.
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I bet Hillary's mad!
January 19, 2009 - 16:02 ET by BlondeWait....Geena Davis as the first female President should have pre-saged HRC as #44.
Hillary is not amused.
Superficiality in media's self-assessment...
January 19, 2009 - 16:10 ET by JohnMDargis and Scott may have some general awareness that media paved the way in audience's thoughts for a black man as president, but they missed a few nuances and insights. For example, in the TV series "24", Dennis Haysbert portrayed a character (President Palmer) who exemplified a deep patriotism (to American principles), courage and determination in the face of difficulty (I doubt he ever voted "present" on an issue), no patience for people who did not keep their word, and overall good judgment. I'm not so sure the media's paving job scored so well in getting those points across.
What a great list...like you
January 19, 2009 - 16:10 ET by bigtimerWhat a great list...like you say...you could go on and on...bet others do add to this also.
I doubt it was movies
January 19, 2009 - 17:22 ET by MidAmericaI doubt it was movies that moved America to accept a Black President. For one thing, even in my small type community area interracial dating and marriages are not unusual. The folks are way ahead of Hollywood. If any entertainment charactors softened the idea of minority neighbors it was the Huxtables back in the 80's. Who would object living next door to Bill Cosby.
Who would object living next door to Bill Cosby
January 19, 2009 - 18:08 ET by SickofLibsNot me, as long as he didn't keep borrowing my power tools and never returning them like my jerky neighbor!
Hollywood
January 19, 2009 - 17:37 ET by mothergooseAnd how about single mothers! Not only in their films but in their lifestyles. Children without fathers is certainly one of the largest contributors to poverty, crime, ignorance, neglect, abuse...........
Matt
January 19, 2009 - 20:47 ET by NorthCoasterSo, we wonder why much of the world sees us as having a twisted out look because of the way Media portrays us in these movies. These icons almost become documentaries outside our borders.