In the South Park episode "Death," the creators' comments on censorship and assisted suicide reveal the lack of parental guidance and willingness to verbally talk about issues related to growing up. The parents in the episode are caught up in protesting a television network that broadcasts a show that promotes toilet humor as comedy for young children. Instead of talking about why the show is inappropriate with their children, they spend time away from them leaving them to figure things out for themselves. While the parents away, Stan's grandfather insists that he kill him since he is in misery. Stan's inquiry about killing someone if they want to be killed goes unexplained by all of their primary adult figures who do not want to "touch the issue with a 40 foot pole." The boys experience silence without explanation which is arguably the worst thing that can happen to a person. It enhances ignorance.
When I think of silence and ignorance, all I think of is the "Allegory of the Cave" from Plato's The Republic. People that live inside the cave never see the light which is learning and knowing what goes on outside of the bubble where live. In the media today, there are a lot of pressing issues that some people do not feel the need or want to understand to better their own knowledge. They are living in this "silence." People that advocate for different causes and push for change are the ones that want to break the silence and bring knowledge and awareness for people that do not know or understand. Domestic violence, transphobia, and immigration are all things that need awareness so people can better understand and might in turn join the fight to educate all people.
No comments:
Post a Comment