I take a backseat to no one in defense of free enterprise.
But, just as America's founders warned that freedom and self-government would only last so long as the populace was God-fearing and moral, so too will the efficacy of our free-market economy.
Corporations in America, especially the big, multinational ones, are increasingly without scruples, without morality, without any sense of right and wrong.
Akon's act in Trinidad (Warning: Contains sexually explicit, graphic, disturbing material). |
I'm delighted that Verizon executives have come to their senses and recognized the historic blunder they made in embracing this monster, this miscreant, this unbelievably bad role model for young people around the world.
I'm glad they are taking his commercials off the air. I applaud the decision. But that's not enough. Verizon should fire those responsible within the company for coming up with the idea in the first place. It should decide right now whether it wants to be part of the problem in our culture or part of the solution. It needs to consider whether it wants to offend its existing customer base and alienate millions of potential customers or cater to the kind of people who cheered on the sexual abuse and humiliation of young Danah Alleyne and others who are targeted as "hos" and sex objects by the likes of Akon.
Ask yourself this question: As disgusting as what Don Imus said about those Rutgers basketball players was, does it even compare to how Akon performs on his CDs, in his videos and on stage?
Then there is the role of the big music company – or, should I say "companies"? – behind Akon, a self-proclaimed Muslim polygamist who has boasted of having three wives.
The rapper formed his own record company in partnership with some notable entertainment conglomerates – Universal Music Group and Interscope Geffen A&M Records. UMG is a subsidiary of the French multinational corporation Vivendi. And entertainment mogul David Geffen is one of the richest Americans alive.
A major contributor to Bill Clinton's campaigns, Geffen now supports Barack Obama and has reportedly put together a $2 billion offer to purchase the Los Angeles Times.
I use Akon and Verizon and Geffen only as examples of the way our culture is being polluted and corrupted beyond recognition by unspeakable and unbridled greed and avarice.
If they were pouring toxic waste into our air or water supply, there would be moral indignation from coast to coast. But because they only pour their toxic waste into the minds and souls of young people and pollute our moral ecosystem, they are given a pass – even considered in some circles men and companies of social consciousness!
Sadly, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other moral reprobates in corporate America operating without the least concern for the effects of their evil decisions on the heart of American popular culture.
It's time they are called out by name for who they are and what they are.
I don't know about you, but I can't watch television in my own home any more without being bombarded by the sleaze of Hollywood and Madison Avenue.
I'm not calling for censorship; I'm calling for some personal and corporate responsibility.
Is that too much to ask?
Can we at least get a consensus that it is wrong to take advantage of teenage girls in concerts by throwing them down on the ground like ragdolls and humping them violently before cheering throngs like some throwback to the days of the Coliseum?
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