Insomniactive Productions, 1630 Cullom Street #2, Birmingham, AL, 35205
By now you've probably heard that GLAAD has attacked Kevin Smith for his upcoming movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Apparently there are some jokes at the expense of gay men in there. Of course, there are apparently some jokes that are pro-gay (for lack of a better term). And of course, there was Chasing Amy. But, you know, when I stop and think about it, I guess Smith could be a gay-bashing bigot…
And so the crux of the matter - at least in my mind - is this: why does it matter? What if he is homophobic, or racist, or strongly prejudiced in any way? Would it really change what you think of his movies? Would you stop laughing at his dialogue, or stop buying Green Arrow month to month?
What beliefs and feelings a person holds should not affect the way you view the art. If you all found out that I was gay, or black, or Jewish, would you stop reading this right now? If the answer is yes, you probably ought to take a look at yourself closely. What if you found out that I hate gays, blacks, and Jews? Again, what does any of this have to do with what I create?
Creators are a wonderful and unique people. They have a gift, one that can't be taught or bought. Whether you like their work or not, people ranging from Todd McFarlane to Jeph Loeb to Warren Ellis to Stephen King and Robert Jordan and Harlan Ellison to Steven Spielberg - creators or all mediums - have something that the rest of the world does not: the ability to make something from nothing. They give us stories, books, movies - they bring us magic, illusions that sometimes become more real than the tangible world around us.
Our response to those people and their gifts, beyond the obvious financial support we give to those whose work we like? We put them under the microscope, looking for flaws to be exploited and cracks in the surfaces that we can chip away at. We search and search for a starting point to begin tearing down. Personally, I think it's a crime.
There are few enough things in this world that make us laugh, or make us cry for imaginary people, or spirit us away beyond our worries and cares. Why would we want to limit this? Because it offends our sensibilities, or runs counter to our beliefs? Those of you that feel that way need to get over it. Grow some skin. Stop being such a pussy. If you don't like what's being said, stop listening. If the picture is ugly, close your eyes. Just stop trying to tell the rest of us what we can hear, see or enjoy. What's right for the world? As militant agnostics are fond of saying, "I don't know, and neither do you."
I feel for the minorities of the world. Granted, I'm a white male in America - as far from a minority as you can get. But I grew up a nerd. I've been called a lot of names, been beaten up because I was a scrawny kid, been picked on and had my self-confidence eaten away by the big guy. No matter how much I hate that that sort of thing goes on, though, no matter how much I wish the bigots of the world would go away, no matter how I wish that people would not judge others on the basis of their appearance but on their personality instead, I wouldn't change it, because that's the way of the world. People say things that I don't like, just like I say and think and believe things that make other people cringe. I, as a creator, as a writer, as a human being, don't want anyone telling me what I can't say or think, and I'm not above the rest of the race to say that I have the right that others don't.
I'm not a huge fan of Kevin's. I think he's got a good ear for dialogue, and his comics are a bold shot in the industry, but his movies leave me flat. I'm sure I'll see the new one, eventually, but I'm in no rush. You know, though, I hope this movie does great. I don't want to see a bunch of thirteen year olds walking away saying that it's "okay to beat up fags" - that's not what this is about. But if they do, I certainly hope groups like GLAAD have the sense to realize that it's not Kevin Smith that shapes these children; it's their parents, their friends, and society at large.
I'm terribly sorry if Kevin Smith offends, or if Robert Bloch disgusts, or if Blattys blasphemes. Danielle Steele bores me to tears, and you know what my solution is? I don't read her work. I don't push for a ban on it, no matter how lascivious or sordid (or insipid) it might be; there are people out there that find genuine escape and joy in those books, and I'm thrilled for them.
Now, if the rest of you would let the creators create, I'll be happy. Or at least, not quite as irritated.