Politics in TV/Movies/Books ... Stop Telling Us Where Our ‘Business’ Should Be

Going to jump right into this, everyone has probably seen or heard about the new abortion laws going on in Texas, Alabama and Georgia, right? I wont talk about the actual laws themselves in this post, but I do want to talk about a backwards opinion about keeping political “opinion” or feelings, current issues out of fictional stories in both books and movies/television. Someone on Twitter, I think it was Sarah Watson, Retweeted someone’s post saying something along the lines of this: “If I want to watch or read personal views about todays events [abortion/gun laws] then I’d read non-fiction/watch documentaries.”

I have seen/heard this sort of feeling before from fans of other shows and books that I have taken a liking to. Right now, the biggest one I can think of for this, is the reboot Rosewell, NM. I’m going to spew a few things because I don’t want to make this all tidy and shit about this show.

First, it breaks so many stigmas and stereotypes. It brings to the surface and DEALS with issues that people are dealing with today. REAL PEOPLE! Like The Wall. What does it mean to the people in today’s world. What it’s DOING to people today. When you think about budget cuts, the fear, the debt it’s causing. The witch hunt that ICE is operating right now with orders by our president. People who have served in our armed forces are being deported. What the fuck is that about? People adopted by AMERICAN parents are being deported. These are terroists or drug dealers, these are real people who live normal, unharmful lives.

Second, showrunner, Carina MacKenzie, has made it a mission, or sorts, to collaborate and consult with people of color, in this case people of Hispanic descent when writing the episodes in her show. Don’t worry guys, she really does have everyone’s best interest at heart when it comes to the minority and showing what the majority is guilty of on a daily basis, whether we’re aware of it of not. By this, I mean, not being aware of privileged lives and being ignorant to the treatment of those of color, women and LGBTQ.

No this is not a praise for MacKenzie or her show, its just an example, and I’ll tell you why it’s important in the next paragraph. I just want to make it clear that this is not a praise, it’s a validation, I guess. This story is good for it’s REALNESS and MacKenzie is to thank for that. Praise for her ability to do that, yeah, that’s definiately warranted. For shoving her opinions down your throat and making you symphasize with these groups of people, well, boohoo. Suck it up and change the channel if it makes you uncomfortable or, better yet, ask yourself WHY it makes you uncomfortable and keep watching.

Alright, so now, why is all of this important? Why should writers and show runners keep current events in their work, for you to watch, “ruining” your favorite show with the mention of gun control or lesbian/gay acceptance? Because if you have a problem with it, it’s going to make you uncomfortable, it’s going to make you think about it. It’s going to get your brain thinking, questioning. THAT is the whole point of ALL of this industry. An industry that started when we were still evolving. When all we had was the wall of a cave and paint from plants. Stories we tell are full opinions, but how the hell can we call ourselves a society,— even one that’s sick right now — If we don’t share our opinions, display them, tell our stories through OUR eyes/views/thoughts?

It might sound stupid, but it was the telling of an encounter with a predator that led to the survival of our ancestors. It was the bards of ancient times that led to the fall of many armies and generals. Rallying people up to revolt or defend themselves were because of stories told and passed on by storytelling. Bards, a type of ancient druids, yeah for real, were the ones who went from village to village to perform religious ceremonies and such, much like a traveling priest, however they also would relay information between these villages, warning of emanate danger or disease, invading forces, i.e. the Romans. And Ireland/Scotland was never conquered after contacting the village people who shared info rapidly with each other, credit going to the bards.

So think again what when you bitch about a show “craming” something down your throat that you’re mad about. Shut up and watch the damn thing. Disagree, sure, but that’s what a free country is about. Disagreeing, talking, communicating. Stop telling showrunner and writers where their business should stop. It IS their business. It always has been.
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