I'm tired of it. Aren't you all tired of it?
I don't need to rehash the events that snowballed on Tuesday from the release of a trailer to a longer film entitled "The Innocence of Muslims" which resulted in the storming of three U.S. Embassies. Original information spoke about a $5 million movie made by "Jewish Investors" and a producer named Sam Bacile.
Days and deaths later, as protests continue, my hopes is that the Muslims in the Middle East who bought into this that this was somehow representative of the United States as a country and took offense so much so they felt the need to kill over it will weeks from now see what they have partaken in and realize:
1) They have generated the kind of reaction that lends more credence and publicity to the film than it ever warranted or deserved.
2) They have provided fanatical groups like Al Qaida with another avenue of stirring hatred because if such a small 14 minute trailer can spark such outrage without any thought or foresight, than who is to stop more such productions from causing further damage or violence. It is thought that these are the types of folks who helped get this video to go viral because they saw the potential it had to disrupt and cause destruction.
3) Without so much as an understanding of things, they reacted without realizing the Steven Kline, the film's script writer /producer is tied to fanatical anti-Muslim groups and is himself paranoid that the Muslims are going to take over the world. He hardly represents the average American, and this is his opinion of things -- not ours.
4) They bought into the idea Sam Bacile was Israeli because of their hatred of Israel itself, and now we find out that no, he is not Israeli, but an Egyptian Coptic Christian who has a history of run-ins with American law enforcement; and he is clearly looking to stoke the sentiments of those with short fuses.
5) They have killed a man in Libya, Chris Stevens, who cared deeply about the problems of Libya, and their people, regardless of their religion. This was a person who came to a place where people would hate him simply because he was American and went knowingly to try to change that perception and give his help.
6) They have acted like fools, in fact facilitating more anti-Muslim feeling not only in the United States, but in many countries in Europe where Muslim populations are growing.
7) They have allowed for any voice, even one that is irresponsible and radical and completely out of touch with our society to alter their behavior, making them pawns of whomever finds a way to use media to stoke their fear and hatred. They are not activists. They are simply re-activists.
It is not only our media we need to be concerned about, but the media of the entire world, which is why there was an FCC created in America to begin with. The proliferation of the internet has provided a voice to so many, and many of them have no idea how to use it responsibly or appropriately. Much like in America, you are not free to yell "FIRE" in a crowded movie theater because it is consider an abuse of free speech that now risks others, the internet has a major issue on its hands trying to control radical elements seeking a larger audience by creating offensive and tasteless material such as this. There are responsibilities that come with free speech, and the ability to send communication to a large audience. The internet has stripped the writers/creators/bloggers etc. of having to answer to those responsibilities.
Thus, it stands that we as the readers/receivers of the media must step up our critical thinking skills and before reacting to such tripe, use our minds and hold our tongues until we not only know what we wish to say, but understand the repercussions of saying it aloud. What's the famous saying, "Better to let your opponent think you a fool by staying silent then open up your mouth and remove all doubt."
I beg that we the educated do a better job of re-educating, and stop reacting to everything with a know-it-all approach and seek the real truth. More often than not, as we are seeing in the Middle East, that which evoked the visceral response is not often what it seems or worth the effort.
No comments:
Post a Comment