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Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 07/21/23

Sound of Freedom | WORLD

Angel Studios’ sleeper hit Sound of Freedom starring Jim Caviezel has crossed a major theatrical milestone – pulling in over $100 million at the box office. Since its #1 debut on July 4th (beating Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) the fact-based crowdfunded movie has yet to not be among the top three movies on the domestic charts. The well-made movie , which brings attention to the issue of child sex trafficking, has drawn fire from critics who apparently view taking a stance against as engaging in a right wing conspiracy theory. IMHO, true liberals are offended by any suggestion that they don’t view international child sex trafficking as a real problem that needs to be addressed.

Then there’s this: Jason’s Aldean’s controversial music video Try That in A Small Town is, as of this writing, #1 on iTunes. That’s despite or, perhaps, because of its video being pulled from the CMT rotation due to online criticism that it’s racist and promotes violence. I have to say, I’m not completely comfortable with the song myself – particularly the lyric that goes “Got a gun that my granddad gave me” that has an insinuation that I do find a bit unnerving and problematic.

Overall though, I also have to say that I completely get the expression of exasperation regarding the government acceptance of bullying of law-abiding citizens (and even law enforcement officers) by violent criminals and the declaration that the people in small town America have seen enough and are standing strong against it. While I personally would have left out the reference to guns, I have no problem at all with these lyrics:

Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalkCarjack an old lady at a red lightPull a gun on the owner of a liquor storeYa think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like
Cuss out a cop, spit in his faceStomp on the flag and light it upYeah, ya think you’re tough
Well, try that in a small townSee how far ya make it down the roadAround here, we take care of our ownYou cross that line, it won’t take longFor you to find out, I recommend you don’tTry that in a small town
There is a justifiable righteous anger across the land against the ongoing assault on basic values like it’s wrong to violently attack innocent people going about their daily business, it’s wrong to steal and take what doesn’t belong to you, it’s wrong to burn down buildings and gut neighborhoods (whether you brazenly label the events as “mostly peaceful” or not) and it’s wrong to promote and tolerate child abuse in all its forms. BTW, standing against street violence is not racist. In fact, it’s violating the civil rights of all people – particularly those in poorer neighborhoods – not to enforce the laws to protect them.
The popular success of both Sound of Freedom and Try That in a Small Town reveals a public that is feeling a little bit like Peter Finch as anchorman Howard Beale in Paddy Chayefsky‘s classic 1976 film Network.

The Bottom Line: The public is right to be “mad as hell.” Our political and cultural leaders have failed us and have tried to gaslight us with narratives that fly in the face of upholding even a most basic sense of right and wrong . The answer isn’t to be found in violence or in rioting but in resolve, making our voices heard and restoring a culture of balance.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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