Escapism in entertainment is what we need to inspire us
We all could use a break from our day to day intimate realities, coupled with the scary hopeless world on the news that we truly can do nothing about.
Enough with the heavy political noise to incite us to join the peace corp and march on DC, throw bottles through windows, commit social media upheaval. Enough epic, award-worthy movies showering our off-time imaginations with brutal examples of hate, inhumane behaviors, and reality-based destruction set in real time with relatable soldiers, civilians and other innocents.
Enough with the heavy political noise to incite us to join the peace corp and march on DC, throw bottles through windows, commit social media upheaval. Enough epic, award-worthy movies showering our off-time imaginations with brutal examples of hate, inhumane behaviors, and reality-based destruction set in real time with relatable soldiers, civilians and other innocents. As they are depicted with the intention of educating and broadening our thinking, they are actually giving glory to those who perpetrate these crimes around the world by enshrining their actions into inspired entertainment.
I remember hearing from my parents, during World War 2, how the movies gave them their escape from those atrocities, the death coming home to them draped with flags, the news stories keeping everyone updated. Today, we are flooded daily with notifications of things we can do NOTHING about, adding to our own despair. No amount of voting can change what people do in other countries to oppress, destroy and torture. Broadcast and reported news is only news if it causes shock and anger.
As someone who runs a 501c3 dedicated to bringing comfort to children and teens in need, I am flooded with the requests from agencies, domestic and abroad. I am regularly inundated with stories of those in need, as they escape their own personal hells of abuse, drugs and poverty. I appreciate the efforts by so many who are addressing the very real problems of people being forgotten and are invisible. I see our neighbors – those visible and invisible – trying to survive and rise above. They want to break the cycle. I am struck so deeply by their pain, I cannot make blanket deliveries directly due to the emotional toll it takes on me realizing how many people in need there are all around us, even in our own cities and neighborhoods.
As a woman of 51, I am watching my friend’s lives change as they are putting careers on hold, rearranging their homes and budgets to accommodate aging and ailing parents. With the current economy, the bulk of the country barely eeks out enough to stay afloat and put a bit away for our own aging, emergencies and the like. Thanks to social media, we are exposed more than ever to what our friends are going through – good and bad. Not a week goes by that at least four friends aren’t dealing with dying or ill parents, cancer in someone in their homes, or themselves, losing a job, being forced to uproot for a job. Don’t get me wrong, yes we have it better than a lot of the world. But, this is still our emotional, financial, world. This is what everyday people deal with EVERY DAY. It doesn’t need comparing, “Oh, so many others have it so much worse…” No, it doesn’t need that. Any of us who grew up during the past century have heard about the starving children in other countries, so eat your liver and onions and be grateful! That’s not it. We have our lot. That’s it. And, after we spend a day holding it together, digging for the gratefuls, helping others, being helped, we need the reward of an escape – or at least a break from it all.
That is what entertainment is about. It’s the breather, the moments that we can all exhale and laugh, or cry. This recent movie season I noticed more uplifting and truly entertaining movies like La La Land, where it’s all make-believe. Movies like Hidden Figures that are upbeat without the need of the climactic beatings, job loss, hate crimes – just a story about these amazing women who used their gifts for the good of our country in spite of how the country treated them. This movie just worked through it and got to the goal – get a man in space! Beautiful and inspiring for the greater good without the need for gore, tragedy and destruction. When we can remove the examples of destruction and hate and convert to lessons of “good over evil” thanks to capes and gadgets – I’ll take that and I will leave with hope. THANK YOU to those writers, directors and producers and actors.
Escapism in entertainment is what we need to inspire us.
We all could use a break from our day to day intimate realities, coupled with the scary hopeless world on the news that we truly can do nothing about. Those entertainers constantly using their positions and camera appeal to “inspire” us through their big political and social actions are able to continue to choose to help where they want to. They have the means through their popularity to help and raise awareness of those global issues. But creating a movie focusing on these large global, tragic negative actions by extremists is giving strength to the negativity in the world and those who commit the crimes. It will not inspire many average people to do more or less. Yes, we will discuss the subject, but not for long. It’s tragic, sad, and we, as individuals, become overwhelmed by the enormity. That’s the reality. But, we can make a difference at our personal, neighborhood and city levels. We can choose to affect lives positively through kindness, respect, time, sharing.
By choosing to inconvenience ourselves a bit by volunteering more and letting our children see us helping others, we build a positive world that won’t tolerate hate, cruelty, and senseless destruction, one person at a time. This inspires our children to be more observant and considerate of others who many not be like them, that all people matter and are worthy of our time. Inspiring people to care, be stronger, see the invisible people around us will effect change in the world. It starts with us and then can spread by example. When I check into a movie like La La Land, I am reminded of simple beauty, happiness and I want to find a way to carry that through to my life. My mom was prone to breaking out in show tunes in our home. She wanted to bring that escape into her day-to-day and those around her. I am committing to bringing more of that into my life and sharing it with those around me.
True escapism entertainment gives me the exhale to let the positive feelings creep in deeper and re-energizes me to share that relief from reality with others – even if it’s through something as simple as giving a homemade blanket, a backpack of supplies, a ride to a doctor’s appointment, a visit to a homebound or facility-bound person, or take them to a movie to help them smile.