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| by kenn on 12/14/2003 04:01:00 PM |
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Family.org Vs. Jay-Z: But It’s Just Entertainment
 The Bible tells us, "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight" (Proverbs 3:21). An early step toward teaching children to be discerning is convincing them that entertainment is a force to be reckoned with. They’ll argue, "It’s only a sitcom" or "I just like the beat; I don’t even listen to the words." But not all preachers stand in pulpits. Not all teachers shape minds in classrooms. The media are powerful motivators in their own right.
Def Jam Records founder Russel Simmons is proud that a casual reference by one of his artists recently inspired a run on designer sweaters. "Jay-Z raps about Iceberg [sweaters] and it catches fire," Simmons boasted. "That’s a fact. The minute he said it, Saks Fifth Avenue blows out Iceberg sweaters at what?—$600 apiece. Instantly!" But what about Jay-Z’s lyrics that glamorize illicit sex, gang violence and drunk driving? What about their impact? Hello ...Mr. Simmons?
Fortunately, a few showbiz personalities are willing to challenge that age-old double standard. "Television people have put blinders on, and they absolutely refuse—and movie people too—to admit that they can have any influence for ill in our society," says "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak. "You know the argument: ‘We only reflect what’s going on; we don’t perpetuate it.’ And yet not a week goes by in this town where there’s not an award ceremony where they’re patting each other on the back saying, ‘You raised AIDS awareness’ [or] ‘There’ll be no more child abuse thanks to that fine show you did.’ The argument is you can only influence for good; you can’t influence for ill. That makes no sense at all."
Indeed, the media can’t have it both ways. Are they persuasive? You bet. Otherwise CBS could not have charged a record sum for commercial time during the Super Bowl. More than $3 million for 30 seconds! The fact is, television sells products and ideas. Still, executives are quick to absolve themselves of guilt when socially irresponsible programming comes under fire.
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