50 Shades of Cultural Madness

Erotica. In the past, we could recognize it by the voluptuous woman and beastly man on the cover. Now it masquerades as a copycat tween novel.

Pornography. We used to go to ‘the back room’ to rent it. Now it is readily available on hand-held devices and the big screen.

Years ago, violent sex, graphic nudity, and BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, & Masochism) would doubtless earn a film an X-rating. But not anymore. Now, it only warrants an R-rating for “unusual behavior.”

These are some of the Fifty Shades of Grey that have leaked into the mainstream of our culture. An appropriate title for a literary series and now a movie to be released, ironically, on Valentine’s Day. Apparently, we are no longer able to interpret cultural values in terms of black and white. Everything is all so … Grey.

A couple weeks ago, as I was walking into the movie theater, I was met with a bright white larger-than-life cardboard cut-out of Big Hero 6. Not two yards away was another ad that stood the full height and length of the entire wall. This one was white, too. But on it a dark man’s massive profile stood looming over me–and over a tiny mouse of a woman huddled in one corner. Should a mother have to walk her 4-year-old past that image on the way to a Disney movie?

When my 8-year-old asked me, “Mommy, what’s that movie about?” what was I supposed to tell him?

And what about the media firestorm that will be sweeping the nation this month promoting and sensationalizing this film before the V-day launch? Are we immune to the graphic images we will be involuntarily exposed to? Will our children be safe?

WHAT? No way! Our kids won’t be exposed to that stuff! Right? Um … did anyone watch the Super Bowl? No families, right? No kids in the room at any time. Surely there will be no billboards or banner ads that might pop up on your screen while the children are nearby.

Or what about YouTube? Do your children ever watch kiddie videos, like trash trucks or nick jr. or cartoons on YouTube? If you don’t think they promote R-rated movies in these places, don’t kid yourself.

My toddler recently ran into a steamy preview for J-Lo’s new movie, “The Boy Next Door” before a cartoon on YouTube. And I don’t believe it was by accident. They place the ads there because they are hoping Mommy is nearby and will be interested in the movie. (This is why I ALWAYS supervise toddler tablet use, even with filters on.)

Get ready. Fifty Shades is next.

I know there are a lot of mamas out there that dig Fifty Shades. I get that. But please stop and think. My hope is that we will not follow blindly off the cliff like little lemmings … but instead learn to think for ourselves. That’s all I ask.

I know some people are going to get defensive and want to write me a huge rant. But please don’t bother. Check out my House Rules. These should be old news by now.

I know everyone has unique experiences and opinions. As for me … I am a survivor of sexual abuse. I am a fighter. I am a voice for those who cannot (or will not) speak out.

And I will not be silent.