2008 Woodie Awards
King's principle of non-violence 40 years later
In one ear and out the other
Dóréal Quarles
Section: Opinion
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream remains exactly that: a dream. Young people today are too preoccupied with a false sense of reality to realize when they need to wake up. Music, movies, and media encourage them to have a bigger ego rather than a bigger brain. In the absence of stable, two-parent households, gangster movies and hip hop seem to be babysitting today's children. King literally fought and died to help the next generation. It's a shame how disappointed he would be to see what has become of his hard work and struggle.
Years ago when King marched to spread his message of peace and equality, he did so without having to raise a fist at anyone. He expressed his beliefs through kind words and organized protests, not by cursing and fighting.
This is a concept that today's youth cannot possibly seem to grasp. Instead of learning to verbalize their issues with each other, they are taught to stand up and defend themselves physically; they can't back down or let anyone think they're a punk. It doesn't help that the majority of what they see on television and hear on the radio corroborates that notion.
While most probably won't admit to it, statistics will show that there is a detrimental correlation between music, movies, and media leading to violent behavior. Even video games are teaching young people that violence is the key to solving any and every problem. Of course not EVERY song has abrasive lyrics, and not EVERY video game promotes aggressive behavior. However, those that are most successful, usually do. Consider hardcore hip hop album, "Bulletproof" by artist 50 Cent, video games such as Grand Theft Auto, and crime glorifying movies like "American Gangster." With violence all around them, it is easy to see why children often fail at implementing King's principle of non-violence.
Norfolk State alumnus Shelton Darden points out the fact that the negative influences on today's youth are not just here in America, but it exists in other countries, as well as in other forms.
"It would be simple to say that music causes these problems, but bad schools, broken homes, and bad economy all contribute to violence," he says.
It may seem like society has taken a few steps forward since King passed nearly 40 years ago, but in some aspects, we have taken two steps backward. He did not have to physically hurt someone to prove his point or his manhood like some young men choose to do today.
Many feel that is what earns them respect and makes them men. Little do they know, it takes a real man to not fight back with their hands, but rather with their heads. With violent behavior in the media getting in the way, the youth are losing sight of what King and his followers believed in. They are taking advantage of all the work he has done. His dream has not yet completely come true. If King were still here, he would have to start all over again.
Years ago when King marched to spread his message of peace and equality, he did so without having to raise a fist at anyone. He expressed his beliefs through kind words and organized protests, not by cursing and fighting.
This is a concept that today's youth cannot possibly seem to grasp. Instead of learning to verbalize their issues with each other, they are taught to stand up and defend themselves physically; they can't back down or let anyone think they're a punk. It doesn't help that the majority of what they see on television and hear on the radio corroborates that notion.
While most probably won't admit to it, statistics will show that there is a detrimental correlation between music, movies, and media leading to violent behavior. Even video games are teaching young people that violence is the key to solving any and every problem. Of course not EVERY song has abrasive lyrics, and not EVERY video game promotes aggressive behavior. However, those that are most successful, usually do. Consider hardcore hip hop album, "Bulletproof" by artist 50 Cent, video games such as Grand Theft Auto, and crime glorifying movies like "American Gangster." With violence all around them, it is easy to see why children often fail at implementing King's principle of non-violence.
Norfolk State alumnus Shelton Darden points out the fact that the negative influences on today's youth are not just here in America, but it exists in other countries, as well as in other forms.
"It would be simple to say that music causes these problems, but bad schools, broken homes, and bad economy all contribute to violence," he says.
It may seem like society has taken a few steps forward since King passed nearly 40 years ago, but in some aspects, we have taken two steps backward. He did not have to physically hurt someone to prove his point or his manhood like some young men choose to do today.
Many feel that is what earns them respect and makes them men. Little do they know, it takes a real man to not fight back with their hands, but rather with their heads. With violent behavior in the media getting in the way, the youth are losing sight of what King and his followers believed in. They are taking advantage of all the work he has done. His dream has not yet completely come true. If King were still here, he would have to start all over again.
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Zachery
posted 1/23/08 @ 5:15 PM EST
Very well written, and very true
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