So I had planned to write something about the cross over
between the Fet Community and Fandom (The sci-fi Fantasy community) but I've decided
to hold off on that for now. I figure I've got two more convention to go so
let’s see if that connection holds true through the rest of them as well.
Instead I'm going to write about something that really had
me feeling torn up over. That is until I did some research. One of
my favorite books of all time is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. So a
few years ago I was both excited and terrified to learn that it was being made
in to a movie. Would they get it right? would it be the Ender's Game I've
seen in my head all these year? Could I justify spending money to go and see
the movie knowing Orson Scott Card Political views on homosexuality and that
some of that money I spend to see the movie would end up in his pocket?
Let’s start with some quick things about the movie.
The first trailer is out and it looks great. I'm happy with the adult actors
who were picked for the important roles. I also agree with the decision
that was made to age up the characters, sure it does lessen the impact by not having
a 6 year old do some of the things Ender does but most of the audience couldn't
accept the concept I don't think. If you haven't seen the trailer yet
here is a link to it.
Now for the politics of the whole situation. Orson
Scott Card is at the forefront of the Anti-gay marriage movement. He is a
board member of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). He has be
quoted as saying;
That if the U.S. government in any way allows states to
legalize gay marriage, then the government will become his “mortal enemy,” and
he will “act to destroy that government and bring it down.”
He also advocates that sodomy laws remain in place to “to
send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society’s regulation of
sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens
within that society.”
To be clear about this Ender's Game doesn't touch on any of
these issues. There are no gay characters in the novel and with Orson
Scott Card as a producer I think it is safe to say that none have been added.
Some people use this fact as an argument that it is ok to be excited by the
movie, and that since it doesn't promote his views that they shouldn't
matter. Basically separating the artist from his art. I think that
idea is ok to a point, but I'm not sure how much we can separate one from the
other.
I highly doubt we Will we have some commitment that the
money he makes from the movie won't go to promote his personal views. So
giving money to this movie could be like money to an anti-gay marriage
movement. Sure it might be less than a percent of each penny made, but that
still my money going into that type of organization and I'm not going to let
that happen.
If an artist had a strong feeling towards a given faith or
most other strong believes I could handle that. I wouldn't object to
something like that. People can still just say no in most of those
situations. In this case I've decided it just goes too far. Orson
Scott Card actively lobbies and commits both money and time to achieve end that
go against things I believe in. That if he had his way would criminalize
any entire way of life.
I just can't bring myself to support him or this
movie. I hope after reading this that you won't either.
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