Last week marked the 86th Annual Bradford Pumpkin Show, which is a big deal in these parts. My daughter, Serena, participated in the school parade; her entire fifth-grade class dressed as Monopoly game pieces. There were rides, games, quaint little contests such as bed races, confetti and a talent show.
When Serena and her older brother, AJ--never known to be camera shy or exhibit stage fright--saw the words, "talent show," an excited debate raged for several days. Would they each perform solo or as a duet? What would they sing? After I exercised parental executive privilege on such suggestions as "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus (lovely song, but the imagery popularized by the accompanying music video didn't lend itself to a family-oriented event,) it was finally decided they would sing "Brave" by Sara Bareilles.
The night of the talent show was chilly; we were shivering on the metal bleachers, as much from anticipation as from the evening air. Based on the entries, contestants were divided into three age groups: 4-7 year-olds, 8-11 year-olds and 12 and up. AJ and Serena, 11 and 10, respectively, fit into the middle category. The emcee went over the rules, stating explicitly that this was to be a family-friendly competition and that no profanity or adult themes would be tolerated.
AJ and Serena were the first ones in their age group called to the stage. They belted out "Brave" a cappella, in tune for the most part, and although they skipped a verse, managed to finish with a strong high note. The audience cheered and the children were pleased with how they had done.
The next several performances were lackluster by comparison, but I remained silent, thinking motherly bias must play a large part in my sentiments. However, two out of the five acts could barely be heard singing over the words in the original track. Even more disturbing, despite the previous admonition of this being a "family-oriented" talent show, an eleven year-old girl was lip-synching "Gunpowder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert. For those unfamiliar with the song, it juxtaposes a catchy, upbeat tune with a tale about a revenge shooting for an act of domestic violence. Basically, about blowing away a male significant other; so much more satisfying than changing the locks and getting a restraining order.
This is not to say that artists do not have the right to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence or express themselves accordingly. In 1996, the music video to "How Come, How Long" by Babyface featuring Stevie Wonder was both tasteful and profound. Yet in this current climate of school shootings, shootings of unarmed people by police officers, overall hostility on our roads and throughout society, an eleven year-old girl lip-synching "...and he ain't seen me crazy yet...his fist is big but my gun's bigger/he'll find out when I pull the trigger..." is poorly advised, to say the least.
To add insult to injury, the two lip-synchers took first and second places in their age group, with "Gunpowder and Lead" winning. Coincidentally, the winner's mother was the one coordinating the contest. AJ and Serena were disappointed, obviously, but unaware that we were dealing with much bigger issues than small-town nepotism. I drove home, deeply troubled that children would be conditioned to promote violence to such a degree; moreover, that it was glorified and awarded first place.
In the three most well-known biblical accounts of God destroying or being poised to destroy civilization, He did so because of mankind's violence. In the story of The Flood, aside from the "sons of God" taking "daughters of men" to be their wives, the meaning of which is still debated in theological circles, the only named sin is violence:
When Jonah finally delivers God's message of impending destruction to Ninevah, the king sent out a decree calling for fasting and repentance. Guess what is the only sin specifically called out by the king? (Emphasis and italics are mine.)
It has been argued by some that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of inhabitants' rampantly hedonistic sexuality, and has been co-opted by some to rant against homosexuality in particular. While a plethora of sins was recalled by Jeremiah:
the prevailing sin is again, violence. The townspeople harassed Lot to bring out the strange and beautiful men (which were in fact, angels sent by God on a reconnaissance mission to Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot refused, offering his daughters instead, in an act of protection and hospitality for his divine guests that is difficult for our culture and time to comprehend. However, the people demanded the men to come out all the more, to the point where they attempted to break in Lot's door:
This is clearly attempted rape; an act of violence. It was at this point that the angels advised Lot to gather his family and get far away from Sodom and Gomorrah.
AJ and Serena are quite over their talent show loss. It was helpful to them that some of Serena's classmates were in the audience that night, and graciously expressed unbelief that they did not win, or at least place. I am encouraged by such words and acts of kindness.
However, I am deeply troubled about the society in which our children are growing up. For all the lip service paid to anti-bullying and conflict resolution, violence is still portrayed as the chief mechanism of empowerment. Adults should act as role models, instead of enabling and even encouraging children to buy into the prevailing culture of violence, which leads only to destruction.
When Serena and her older brother, AJ--never known to be camera shy or exhibit stage fright--saw the words, "talent show," an excited debate raged for several days. Would they each perform solo or as a duet? What would they sing? After I exercised parental executive privilege on such suggestions as "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus (lovely song, but the imagery popularized by the accompanying music video didn't lend itself to a family-oriented event,) it was finally decided they would sing "Brave" by Sara Bareilles.
The night of the talent show was chilly; we were shivering on the metal bleachers, as much from anticipation as from the evening air. Based on the entries, contestants were divided into three age groups: 4-7 year-olds, 8-11 year-olds and 12 and up. AJ and Serena, 11 and 10, respectively, fit into the middle category. The emcee went over the rules, stating explicitly that this was to be a family-friendly competition and that no profanity or adult themes would be tolerated.
AJ and Serena were the first ones in their age group called to the stage. They belted out "Brave" a cappella, in tune for the most part, and although they skipped a verse, managed to finish with a strong high note. The audience cheered and the children were pleased with how they had done.
The next several performances were lackluster by comparison, but I remained silent, thinking motherly bias must play a large part in my sentiments. However, two out of the five acts could barely be heard singing over the words in the original track. Even more disturbing, despite the previous admonition of this being a "family-oriented" talent show, an eleven year-old girl was lip-synching "Gunpowder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert. For those unfamiliar with the song, it juxtaposes a catchy, upbeat tune with a tale about a revenge shooting for an act of domestic violence. Basically, about blowing away a male significant other; so much more satisfying than changing the locks and getting a restraining order.
This is not to say that artists do not have the right to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence or express themselves accordingly. In 1996, the music video to "How Come, How Long" by Babyface featuring Stevie Wonder was both tasteful and profound. Yet in this current climate of school shootings, shootings of unarmed people by police officers, overall hostility on our roads and throughout society, an eleven year-old girl lip-synching "...and he ain't seen me crazy yet...his fist is big but my gun's bigger/he'll find out when I pull the trigger..." is poorly advised, to say the least.
To add insult to injury, the two lip-synchers took first and second places in their age group, with "Gunpowder and Lead" winning. Coincidentally, the winner's mother was the one coordinating the contest. AJ and Serena were disappointed, obviously, but unaware that we were dealing with much bigger issues than small-town nepotism. I drove home, deeply troubled that children would be conditioned to promote violence to such a degree; moreover, that it was glorified and awarded first place.
In the three most well-known biblical accounts of God destroying or being poised to destroy civilization, He did so because of mankind's violence. In the story of The Flood, aside from the "sons of God" taking "daughters of men" to be their wives, the meaning of which is still debated in theological circles, the only named sin is violence:
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:13
When Jonah finally delivers God's message of impending destruction to Ninevah, the king sent out a decree calling for fasting and repentance. Guess what is the only sin specifically called out by the king? (Emphasis and italics are mine.)
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Jonah 3:8
It has been argued by some that Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of inhabitants' rampantly hedonistic sexuality, and has been co-opted by some to rant against homosexuality in particular. While a plethora of sins was recalled by Jeremiah:
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23:14,
the prevailing sin is again, violence. The townspeople harassed Lot to bring out the strange and beautiful men (which were in fact, angels sent by God on a reconnaissance mission to Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot refused, offering his daughters instead, in an act of protection and hospitality for his divine guests that is difficult for our culture and time to comprehend. However, the people demanded the men to come out all the more, to the point where they attempted to break in Lot's door:
And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. Genesis 19:9
This is clearly attempted rape; an act of violence. It was at this point that the angels advised Lot to gather his family and get far away from Sodom and Gomorrah.
AJ and Serena are quite over their talent show loss. It was helpful to them that some of Serena's classmates were in the audience that night, and graciously expressed unbelief that they did not win, or at least place. I am encouraged by such words and acts of kindness.
However, I am deeply troubled about the society in which our children are growing up. For all the lip service paid to anti-bullying and conflict resolution, violence is still portrayed as the chief mechanism of empowerment. Adults should act as role models, instead of enabling and even encouraging children to buy into the prevailing culture of violence, which leads only to destruction.
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