The Irresponsibility of Living “Footloose” (by Tammy Fuller)

It is this simple. I am asking us all to boycott the new “Footloose” movie.

We are now living in a culture in western society in which entertainment has gone from a celebratory event to an escapist pacification. Our food, movies, music, shopping, sports, etc. have ceased being entertaining and have become the drug of choice for those looking to escape the reality of life.

While entertainment in and of itself is no wrong thing, I submit that we, In America have become addicted to it and even possess a sense of entiltement. We shell out the highest dollar to achieve the goal of getting what we “need”, when we “need” it and most often display a shift of temperament when we don’t get it.

Yes, we are addicts itching for any distraction from the pains of daily life and the realization that we are near powerless to change the course of our nation. While we are about to implode upon ourselves, we are desperately trying to not look the situation dead in the eye and fight it. It is easier to get our fix than to fix our problems as a collective nation. We do not stop to realize the foolishness and futility of pouring our resources into an industry that manufactures and peddles our visual heroin.

So, why “Footloose”? Well, it’s this simple. That movie has already been made. This re-make is going to bring in millions by the next generation. While one might argue that the movie does have an inspirational message, I repeat, It has already been made. We have to stop the madness and set an example. We must tell Hollywood, “No more remakes. Either make new art that inspires, or stop altogether until your vision can be cleared.” Let’s take our $10 and search for a new high rather than continuing to grease the palms of producers of unoriginal, trite subject matter, a patronizing of our artful senses and intelligence. In doing so, we are saying, “No,” to an industry that keeps growing in wealth while our nations keeps growing in class division.

Youth must be challenged to forge a new path for our nation… one that asks our entertainment to inspire rather than peddling cheap imitations. On the day that movie hits the local theaters, why not take your $10 to a local food bank, anonymously donate it to a family in need, buy your friend in poverty a gift card to help get school supplies. It’s time to initiate a collaborative effort to change our nation from the ground up by becoming addicted to the entertainment of generosity.

The bottom line is, we must investigate our “need” for entertaiment and the motivation for our escape. Finding new inspiration and joy from what Christ has placed in our own hearts to give is the new high. It’s time to get “footloose and fancy free” as part of a Kingdom of people who are addicted to receiving and giving God’s love. That will not come from today’s entertainment industry and certainly not with re-hashed “art”.
__________________

Tammy Fuller is a youth leader in church and community. Inspired by the radical likes of Claiborne and Campolo, she is an advocate for peace, fair labor practices, and looking for ways to reach the marginalized in the marketplace of daily life. A wife and a mother, Tammy’s first loyalty is there. Find her on Facebook.