As of this writing, Netflix is under attack, again. There
are calls of boycotting the network and thousands have done just that,
cancelling their services.
I decided to
look at the current controversy and come to my own conclusions. In doing so, I
came to some areas of thought I was not expecting. If you are looking for
answers in this article, you likely won't get them. What I hope you do get is
something that provokes thought, that sometimes, things are not as simple as we
like to paint them.
First The Good
There is no doubt that over the years Netflix has done some
good things, especially so for many in the time of covid. While many are social
distancing due to either covid or other health concerns such as cancer as I had
to do for over a year prior to covid, Netflix has provided entertainment,
education, information and something to do within the walls of ones homes.
While there are many who will have their own solutions, the reality is those
solutions do not always work for everyone.
Let me give as an example, the #1 viewed show on Netflix at the moment of this
writing, The Social Dilemma. I became aware of the documentary after reading a
post on Facebook by Matt Lowe. After reading his comments I decided to watch
the program. Unfortunately, due to the massive boycotts and cancellations at
Netflix many will not see this must view program which explores how people are
being manipulated via social media formats. This is an issue that runs far
deeper and much more seriously than people realize. The bottom line, we are all
being manipulated in all kinds of ways via computer and media algorithms that
are based primarily on the profit margin, not the truth. In this, everything
you do on either Pintrest, Twitter, Facebook or other social platforms of the
sort are impacting society.
That impact is based on profit, not truth. The interesting
thing about all of this is that this information is presented by the creators
of those social media formats on this program. They go so far as to tell
people, to get off of social media, and that a part of the dilemma, is that if
we continue down the path we can expect a civil war in America and the end of
civilization as we know it. They go so far as to say they have gotten off of it
and don't allow their children access to it. Think about it, these ideals are
being presented by people who are the creators of things like Facebook,
Twitter, etc. This is a must view in my
opinion. For those who think they can not be suckered into this manipulation,
you are sadly mistaken, watch the program and see what these creators are
saying and what those algorithms have already done.
As a person of faith, I also see another benefit or positive
about Netflix, that is there massive amount of movies that for me as a
Christian, are important because they carry a spiritual and Christian theme.
The reality is that for every bad movie on Netflix there are also movies with a
positive message. I know that for me, while my wife was fighting her pancreatic
cancer there was a benefit to being able to do some research specific as to
that particular disease. I was able to go to a place where I was able to gather
information that provided me knowledge and the ability to better care for my
wife.
Next, The Bad
I started hearing a few weeks ago about the extremely
controversial French Film getting ready to be broadcast on Netflix that
exploited the sexuality of young girls. The movie is Cuties. Unlike many, I do
reviews and realize that a lot of false information is often given about a
movie, mostly by people who have never seen the movie. Hollywood as an example was getting blasted
about this movie. The first thing I realized is it is movie made in France, not
Hollywood.
In short, Cuties is about a young girl who lives in a strict
Muslim home. She rebels against her mother who is going through the conflict of
her husband who is not living at home and getting ready to marry another bride.
The little girl rebels and starts doing some offensive things and hanging
around rebellious children at her new school. The decide to enter a dance
competition and choose a style of dance that is sexually provocative.
The criticisms of this movie in my opinion are spot on. This
movie sexualizes small female children and in my opinion, Netflix is showing
that their concerns are more about profit than they are appropriateness. This
is especially so since this movie comes on the heals of another Netflix series,
Jeffery Epstein; Filthy Rich. That series is an excellent expose about how
Epstein and others took advantage of and involved young women in the sex
trafficking world. Why would Netflix on one hand speak out against something of
this nature, and then turn around and air and support a movie that sets up 11
year old young girls as sex objects. For me, this shows the extreme hypocrisy
of what people often do, especially when profits are the driving force of that
company.
I don't like boycotts most of the time, yet I will say, I
understand as a former child who was abused sexually, I understand the deep
hurt that many will feel from this type of thing being normalized. Children
should not be performing dance acts that mirror things like masturbation, having
sex and so forth. The sexualizing of children of this nature does nothing but
encourage pedophiles and others. It also makes it seem natural for children to
behave in this manner. While the movie has an epiphany moment, the damage is
still done. In this instance, again, I understand why many would take the
actions they have.
Finally, The Ugly
Here is the reality, Netflix is ran as a for profit company
which on the surface seems to be a good thing, yet, one has to question, should
there be limits on things that are aired?
I am frankly disappointed in the governing body of Netflix for allowing
such things as Cuties to be shown, but just as the Bible states, "the love
of money is the root of all evil."
I believe that. Could Netflix make programming without sexualizing
children that still shows family conflict while at the same time leaving out
the need to have children engaged in mimicking sexual activities? I would hope
so, if not then they are not nearly as intelligent as I would give some of them
credit for.
I have to wonder though if the executives at Netflix didn't
know that Cuties would be controversial and for that reason aired it. There is
something I don't like about boycotts, and it has been proven. Boycotts of
things like movies only drives up the audience numbers. I will guarantee you,
more people have watched Cuties because of the controversy than who would have watched
it otherwise. The bottom line is, movie executives know this and it is a reason
they thrive at times on controversy.
Conclusion
What is the answer? I would say that for those who decide to
cancel their Netflix subscription, that is their prerogative, but don't say on
the same hand that all of Netflix is bad, it's not. There are many things on
Netflix that present good moral messages. There are things like The Social Dilemma
that everyone really should see that shows extensively how those driven by
money are manipulating our society, be they conservative or liberal, religious
or not. Yet there are also those who will advocate that there is nothing wrong
with the sexualizing of young girls such as in the movie Cuties. I would
strongly disagree as a former victim of sexual abuse. Frankly, any mindset that
allows or supports this behavior or encourages it, is to me, sickening and I
say that not only as a Christian, I say that as one trained in psychology and
who has had to also study child development. Children should be protected, and for
those active in pedophilia, they should not be encouraged. Yes I understand
there are limits and so forth, but I am reminded of the words of Phil Keaggy in
one of his songs, "Who will stand up for the little ones?" We as a society must take steps to protect
our children from all potential areas of harm, including sexualizing them.
For me, I am doing my part, I haven't, won't cancel my subscription yet because
I choose the good over the bad. I will say though, Shame on you Netflix! I
don't blame people for canceling their subscriptions. If this becomes the new
norm, you can count me in on cancelling my services in the future. Until then,
I will say thank you for the great movies and specials you do make, but, can
you please make it more about content than profits? If it is about content,
plenty of profits will come and in that direction, there will also be others
who will see benefit. Sometimes in life, the benefits isn't as much about
profit as they are about improving the lives of others. Right now, one of the
shows mentioned here, does that, the other hurts more than helps.
What will you do? Think about it.
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