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Movies and ethics, morals and values, violence and crime.
Sylvester Stallone makes a lot of movies, and most are extremely violent. His biggest fan in Africa, Charles Taylor, the West African warlord and former president of Liberia, used the movie “Rambo” as a training film for his child soldiers. It is true; I saw it personally: children sitting around watching the “Rambo” while holding AK-47s, wrapped in bullets, and high on drugs.
If you recall, Charles Taylor is the man who cut off the arm of the children who refused to fight for him. During his term of office, Taylor was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of his involvement in the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002). Domestically, opposition to his government grew, culminating in the outbreak of the Second Liberian Civil War (1999–2003). Today, Charles Taylor sits in HM Prison Frankland in the UK, and he was tried in The Hague.
Rambo movies and the concept and costume of Rambo is an iconic figure in West Africa. So much so the plastic shopping bags had Rambo silhouettes on them, and they were commonly known as Rambo bags. I have one folded up in a file cabinet.
During a trip to West Africa for my work, I was given a tour of the child soldier camps. I spent seven hours being toured around the training camps in Sierra Leone, and they were proud to show me the children with AK-47s, wrapped in bullet belts and vibrating from potent drugs. I will never forget seeing these sweet children with violence, hate, and evil in their eyes. Their lives and their childhoods were stolen.
When a movie star (money maker) like Stallone makes a movie, he lets us into his imagination. And frankly, if you have ever watched “Untouchables,” he has a vivid and dark mind – and imagination. In Stallone’s films, he is the savior, and everyone else but his friends dies. His movies are a glorification of death, killing, murder, and a disgusting portrayal of justice.
Do the creators of these films have morals and codes of ethics other than exploration of life using violence to make money? How do they not see their teaching violence? HOW? What are they teaching children around the world about life and death?
What are they releasing inside the minds and souls of every viewer of these types of movies? If you watch people exiting a movie theatre after watching an untouchable movie, they look possessed, as if they want to get behind the wheel and kill.
Where is the limit?
When do we, as a global society, stop desensitizing our youth to violence, killing, and crime?
How can we stop this, and why can’t we make movies without violence?
Does life imitate art, or is art imitating life? Stallone’s movies are fiction, and Charles Taylor used them as factual, educational films to enrage children dressed like Rambo and high on drugs.
When will it stop?
The relationship between art, in this case, movies, and real-world actions is an incredibly complex and nuanced issue. I know my articulation of the influence of “Rambo” films on Charles Taylor’s child soldiers is an unsettling illustration of how media can have unanticipated, far-reaching impacts that are both deeply troubling and morally complex. This exemplifies what many would argue is the darker side of storytelling and media influence—a cautionary tale, if you will, of the power and reach that films can have, even in the most unforeseen ways.
The Imagination of the Creator
While Sylvester Stallone’s films like “Rambo” and “The Expendables” franchise are heavy on violence, it’s crucial to differentiate between art and action. While his stories paint pictures of violence and valor, Stallone himself is not perpetuating these acts. His movies are a canvas where fictional narratives play out, and we ought to be cautious when labeling him, or any artist, as inherently ‘evil’ or ‘immoral’ based on the stories they tell.
The Ethical Quandary
However, the question of responsibility remains. If art can inspire both good and bad, are creators morally obligated to consider the potential ramifications? While it’s tempting to think that any media with adverse effects should be restrained, that poses significant questions about censorship, free expression, and artistic integrity.
The Global Society’s Role
The issue is not one that any one individual can solve. It’s a collective problem that requires collective solutions. For every Charles Taylor who might misuse a movie for heinous purposes, there are educators, parents, and activists striving to teach empathy, critical thinking, and the distinction between fiction and reality. And these are the voices that also deserve amplification.
The Balance of Power
As viewers, we have power—the power of choice. In a marketplace that ultimately values profits, viewer discretion can be a potent force. If global audiences turned their backs on gratuitous violence, creators would be compelled to reconsider their narratives. But this isn’t just about boycotts or hashtags; it’s about fostering a culture of responsible consumption and critical discussion.
Art and Reality: A Double-Edged Sword
If you asked whether art imitates, life or life imitates art. The answer is both, in an endless feedback loop. But art doesn’t exist in a moral vacuum. It’s produced and consumed in a society with real-world issues and consequences.
The Next Chapter
My concerns highlight the urgency for not just ethical storytelling but also responsible viewership. We don’t need to lock up artists, but we do need to hold them—and ourselves—accountable for the stories we endorse, the ideas we propagate, and the world we shape as a result. We can, and should, strive for a future where the stories we tell reflect the best of us, not the worst. And the work starts not on the big screen but in classrooms, homes, and everyday conversations.
Let’s change the narrative, shall we?
The Power and Responsibility of Media.
The power and responsibility of media—a heady blend of influence that can shape the minds of viewers, young and old. The discourse on violence in media isn’t just about colorful pixels or sensational scripts. No, it’s a critical examination of the narratives we embed into our collective psyche. We’ve all heard it: “It’s just a show,” or “Movies can’t make you violent.” While that may be true for some, it belies the nuanced, complex relationship between media exposure and behavioral outcomes. So, buckle up! Let’s delve into this Gordian knot of an issue.
The Pen Is Mightier…
First off, let’s acknowledge the formidable power of storytelling. From the days of gathering around the fire to share oral histories to binge-watching the latest Netflix series, stories unite us. They engage our imaginations and our emotions, allowing us to travel without ever leaving our seats. But therein lies the rub. As media creators draw us into their constructed realities, they also introduce us to their perspectives on life, love, and, yes, violence.
Data Doesn’t Lie, But It Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
To look at the stats is to glimpse a world where violence—especially firearm-related violence—is an acute issue. There are sobering figures about the impact of violence on youth and marginalized communities. It’s crucial to note that correlation doesn’t mean causation. However, a growing body of research does indicate that exposure to media violence could be one of the many factors contributing to violent behavior. This isn’t a Chicken Little “the sky is falling” scenario, but a clarion call for vigilance and informed engagement with media, especially for the young and vulnerable.
The Subtleties of Impact
While hard-hitting violence in media is easily flagged, what about the subtler forms? The glorification of aggression, the normalization of intimidation, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes—all these can also seep into viewers’ subconscious minds. Young minds are especially malleable. You see, it’s not just about the overt acts of violence but the insidious, creeping narratives that tell us it’s okay to resolve conflicts through harmful means.
The Real Avengers: Parents, Educators, and Doctors
Family physicians are on the frontline, but they can’t be the sole guardians of our mental landscapes. As society grapples with the issue, the mantle of responsibility must also fall on parents, educators, and yes, media creators themselves. Parental controls, educational programs about media literacy, and conscientious storytelling can all act as safeguards. Doctors can provide the research and the cautionary advice, but the community at large must act on it.
Power to the Viewer
In a digital world where the lines between reality and fiction are increasingly blurred, it’s all too easy to become passive consumers. Let’s not underestimate our agency. We can choose what to consume, question the content, and critically evaluate the impact it has on us and our loved ones.
A Future Unwritten
The quills and ink pots of yesterday have evolved into the digital platforms of today, but the core principle remains: Media has the power to shape minds. As we stand at the intersection of public health and free expression, let’s wield that power responsibly. After all, the next chapter in this ongoing saga will be written not just by researchers or physicians but by each and every one of us. Be the change. Flip the script. Choose your narrative wisely, for it will, in many ways, choose you.
