Not saying. Just Saying.
With
the exception of recent news involving Gay Marriage Rights and the
Defense Of Marriage Act, I stand to believe that we as a society(one
that includes mass media, especially) tend to place too bright of a lamp
on issues involving homosexuality. Don't get me wrong: I am in no way
deeming the issues people in our gay and lesbian community have faced
for years now with our government insignificant at all; but in my
opinion, only a certain percentage of the attention that we give to the
LGBT community is for wholesome nobility while a much more substantial
percentage of that attention I perceive as disingenuous, honestly. The
reasoning behind my belief is simple: Profit. Magazines and tabloids
need to be sold, sites need funding, interviews on various networks and
talk shows must take place, forums need buzz, etc. This may sound a bit
staunch; but I invite you to open your mind and see things from a
different vantage.
There
is no denying the importance of exposure in media when it comes to
spreading awareness; especially when it involves societal issues
essential to the promotion of our well being or occurrences deemed
critical enough to change us all for better or worse. One that my wife
remembers her father telling her about since they are from California is
the "White Night Riots" that took place mid May 1979 soon after the
verdict for one Dan White in the trial for his assassination of Harvey
Milk was released. Milk was the first homosexual elected to public
office in California after earning a seat on the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors.His bravery in lieu of him already presuming that he would
be killed along with the events that ensued after his presumption was
confirmed marked a pivotal time in history for the San Francisco
community altogether; especially the Gay community.
Many
of the issues we face today regarding the Gay community are along
similar lines of interest as that of the late 1970's. They are issues
that affect politics, entertainment, livelihood, and other aspects of
daily life. One thing that all of these have in common is media
exposure; and that exposure isn't always helpful and informative. Most
of the time, it isn't really vital in any way to the viewing public if
you count out the often undisclosed manifest of television ratings and
the considerable profit desired and planned for.
The
Long Beach, California born Frank Ocean(his real name is Christopher
Breaux) moved with his family to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was five
years old. He was raised among an ominous and highly flavorful jazz
scene; which may have significantly influenced his endeavors once he
began recording his own music.
On
July 4th last year, Ocean published an open letter on Tumblr revealing
feelings that he had for another man back when he was nineteen years of
age; citing that the man was his first true love.In the letter, Frank
thanked the man for his influence; which many have vaguely considered
meaning that his hit "Thinkin' Bout You" was written in recollection of
the experiences he shared with the man in his letter. Ocean stated that
he felt like a free man after divulging the details of the letter.
No
doubt he knew that there would be media attention for some time; but
that time likely should have just been awhile. It wasn't something that
he held a press conference for neither was it something that he hoped to
hold radio and television show interviews about. It was about his
personal freedom and comfort.
Media doesn't care very much if at all about one's comfort, of course.
Kudos
to the Hip-Hop community at large for their positive response to the
letter; especially artists the like of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Russell Simmons
and others; but it isn't necessarily something so moving and ground
breaking among us that it needed to garner the obscene amount of
exponential exposure that it did. Be it blogs and other forums, social
mediums offering their opinions one way or another, music networks,
etc., I am more than sure that Frank was at home with just having the
opportunity to clear his mind, heart and soul. No doubt that was his
reason for doing so in the first place.
NBA
Center Jason Collins was selected eighteenth overall in the 2001 NBA
Draft by the New Jersey Nets. He helped the Nets reach the NBA Finals in
both 2002 and 2003 before being relegated as an NBA journeyman five
years later; being bounced around from roster to roster in a fill-in
role for various teams.
Jason
was in a relationship for eight years with WNBA Center Carolyn Moos.
They were engaged to be married soon; but Collins called off the wedding
in 2009.
In
an issue of Sports Illustrated released May 6th of this year, Collins
wrote the issue's cover story; releasing to the rest of the public what
he had initially released to the company's website on April 29th, 2013
when he came out as an openly gay athlete. This made Jason the first
active homosexual athlete from one of the four major North American team
sports to come out. Collins divulged details at his sole discretion
only; admitting that he was not currently in a relationship and
revealing that he wears the number 98 on his jersey in honor of Matthew
Shepard. Shepard was a 21 year old man that lost his life as the victim
of a hate crime on October 12th, 1998.
Reaction to Collins was mostly positive overall as received by the NBA, various sports analysts and even President Obama and the First Lady. If there was any real semblance of opposition, it came mainly in the form of ridiculous internet memes and other barbs sent back and forth by people over various social mediums and forums. ESPN Analyst Chris Broussard stated that he did not believe that it would be possible for Jason to be openly homosexual and be a Christian at the same time. Collins did not agree with his statement, however. He believes that his religious beliefs and stance have no measure of tarnish in light of his lifestyle; and I am inclined to agree.
As with most sports stories involving anything even slightly reminiscent of unnecessary "elasticity," Collins' coming out drew what initially was understandable media attention; but just like Lebron's "Decision" and just about anything involving Tim Tebow, this really was stretched a lot further than it needed to be in my opinion. As a matter of fact, the only sports related story that was drawn out for an extensive amount of time that I actually had no issue with was the Sandusky trial. He deserved every minute of that embarrassment and undesired attention that he received.
And since Tebow was mentioned some two or three sentences prior....
....no doubt you guys have seen this meme floating about:
Reaction to Collins was mostly positive overall as received by the NBA, various sports analysts and even President Obama and the First Lady. If there was any real semblance of opposition, it came mainly in the form of ridiculous internet memes and other barbs sent back and forth by people over various social mediums and forums. ESPN Analyst Chris Broussard stated that he did not believe that it would be possible for Jason to be openly homosexual and be a Christian at the same time. Collins did not agree with his statement, however. He believes that his religious beliefs and stance have no measure of tarnish in light of his lifestyle; and I am inclined to agree.
As with most sports stories involving anything even slightly reminiscent of unnecessary "elasticity," Collins' coming out drew what initially was understandable media attention; but just like Lebron's "Decision" and just about anything involving Tim Tebow, this really was stretched a lot further than it needed to be in my opinion. As a matter of fact, the only sports related story that was drawn out for an extensive amount of time that I actually had no issue with was the Sandusky trial. He deserved every minute of that embarrassment and undesired attention that he received.
And since Tebow was mentioned some two or three sentences prior....
....no doubt you guys have seen this meme floating about:
Perfect
example of unnecessary exposure here. Notice the added depth of the
subscript bible verse. Also notice the hash tag. Now look up. Now to the
left. Now back at this meme. I'm on a blog. *Old Spice Jingle*
What the creator of this meme likely neglected to examine is the fact that as far as Tebow's choice to profess Jesus Christ is concerned, that is exactly what it was:
A Choice.
As far as one's "choice" or "decision" to be homosexual, I would counter with this little gem that I found thanks to social networking:
What the creator of this meme likely neglected to examine is the fact that as far as Tebow's choice to profess Jesus Christ is concerned, that is exactly what it was:
A Choice.
As far as one's "choice" or "decision" to be homosexual, I would counter with this little gem that I found thanks to social networking:
Plausible inquiry, right? I think so.
Going back to my overall point earlier in this entry, there is an overabundant amount of exposure when it comes to some of these issues involving homosexuality and the LGBT community altogether at times. A lot of what the media is offering does cover significant ground and has proven informative and beneficial to all of us across the board for the most part; but I still question the motives of many. As with many of these instances that have been discussed some time ago, some who chose cover these stories should be called into question to some degree as well. There is nothing new or exclusive in the practice of feigned concern; especially when the ulterior motive is so glaringly obvious that one wouldn't be able to hide it if everything were pitch black.
As of June 26th of this year, California became the twelfth state and thirteenth United States jurisdiction to allow gay couples to marry. With Rhode Island joining in as well on August 1st, this will no doubt mark significant progression for gay and lesbian communities in those areas. Happiness is their overall manifest after all rather than the attention that it garners, though. I am confident that many in the LGBT community will agree that although the media is effective in helping to uncover some of these issues for the sake of getting the ball rolling on much needed change therein, added attention and often groundless supplementary exposure isn't needed or wanted for that matter by them. All that is desired is a happy, comfortable life lived among all of us in a country based on the concept of an individual and collective freedom that isn't compromised by judgement or the overt highlighting of everyday affairs.
Mass Media is a powerful tool. It is much more powerful than any of us may ever recognize; and that includes those who employ and are employed by the use of it. The power it wields can be used constructively and has been used in such a manner many times over; but what may seem dormant to most is far too obvious to others. Those who know not the importance of well placed latency usually have well hidden manifests; but they never remain concealed for very long. Such is the nature of the agenda; be it shrouded or blatant.
We practically grew up with all of the Sally Struthers commercials for the Children's Fund along with those Feed The Children commercials; but one thing that I as well as a number of others may have never thought about is how one can afford to spend a generous portion of money and time shooting a commercial for the purpose of asking for financial support for children instead of putting that money directly towards feeding the children in the first place.
The same can be said definitely for other functions of the media. I know that profit is essential and money must be made. That is common knowledge in our society. What should be more common, however is the sense that one would presume accompanies the actions and decisions made by our media. Instead of the rehashing, recycling, adding of new spins and redundant recounting of issues involving our LGBT communities, a greater and likely much more appreciated feat by the media would be for them to concentrate on using their influence to better serve said community so that the issue of gay rights is less of an issue and more commonplace in today's society.
Just like so many other issues that get more media attention than actual help from the media, we have to do better individually as well as collectively when it comes to getting more out of our most prominent resources. An asset is only proven as such if it is put to use effectively.There is nothing wrong with making light of any situation. The problem comes about when we don't do enough to make the situation lighter. That has to happen for everyone's sake.
If all we are going to do is feign care at times when there are opportunities to constructively build upon that public display of concern, are we to be offended at all when we are perceived as pretentious?
Are we really justified for calling those who would prefer honest apathy over practiced affection selfish?
Is there such a thing as stagnant progression?
Are we done using our imaginations or should we just continue to make believe?
Not saying. Just saying.
Going back to my overall point earlier in this entry, there is an overabundant amount of exposure when it comes to some of these issues involving homosexuality and the LGBT community altogether at times. A lot of what the media is offering does cover significant ground and has proven informative and beneficial to all of us across the board for the most part; but I still question the motives of many. As with many of these instances that have been discussed some time ago, some who chose cover these stories should be called into question to some degree as well. There is nothing new or exclusive in the practice of feigned concern; especially when the ulterior motive is so glaringly obvious that one wouldn't be able to hide it if everything were pitch black.
As of June 26th of this year, California became the twelfth state and thirteenth United States jurisdiction to allow gay couples to marry. With Rhode Island joining in as well on August 1st, this will no doubt mark significant progression for gay and lesbian communities in those areas. Happiness is their overall manifest after all rather than the attention that it garners, though. I am confident that many in the LGBT community will agree that although the media is effective in helping to uncover some of these issues for the sake of getting the ball rolling on much needed change therein, added attention and often groundless supplementary exposure isn't needed or wanted for that matter by them. All that is desired is a happy, comfortable life lived among all of us in a country based on the concept of an individual and collective freedom that isn't compromised by judgement or the overt highlighting of everyday affairs.
Mass Media is a powerful tool. It is much more powerful than any of us may ever recognize; and that includes those who employ and are employed by the use of it. The power it wields can be used constructively and has been used in such a manner many times over; but what may seem dormant to most is far too obvious to others. Those who know not the importance of well placed latency usually have well hidden manifests; but they never remain concealed for very long. Such is the nature of the agenda; be it shrouded or blatant.
We practically grew up with all of the Sally Struthers commercials for the Children's Fund along with those Feed The Children commercials; but one thing that I as well as a number of others may have never thought about is how one can afford to spend a generous portion of money and time shooting a commercial for the purpose of asking for financial support for children instead of putting that money directly towards feeding the children in the first place.
The same can be said definitely for other functions of the media. I know that profit is essential and money must be made. That is common knowledge in our society. What should be more common, however is the sense that one would presume accompanies the actions and decisions made by our media. Instead of the rehashing, recycling, adding of new spins and redundant recounting of issues involving our LGBT communities, a greater and likely much more appreciated feat by the media would be for them to concentrate on using their influence to better serve said community so that the issue of gay rights is less of an issue and more commonplace in today's society.
Just like so many other issues that get more media attention than actual help from the media, we have to do better individually as well as collectively when it comes to getting more out of our most prominent resources. An asset is only proven as such if it is put to use effectively.There is nothing wrong with making light of any situation. The problem comes about when we don't do enough to make the situation lighter. That has to happen for everyone's sake.
If all we are going to do is feign care at times when there are opportunities to constructively build upon that public display of concern, are we to be offended at all when we are perceived as pretentious?
Are we really justified for calling those who would prefer honest apathy over practiced affection selfish?
Is there such a thing as stagnant progression?
Are we done using our imaginations or should we just continue to make believe?
Not saying. Just saying.
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