Moviestar Monday *12

I believe I brought this point up in the post on Ender’s Game, but I feel I should make it again. If we were to boycott all forms of art simply because we didn’t agree with the personal views of the artists, the world would be a much lonelier place. How are we being any more tolerant or accepting than those we purport to desire acceptance from? It’s honestly as ridiculous as censorship and as ignorant as those who would pigeonhole you for being homosexual.

I could give a damn less what Orson Scott Card personally believes. I’m sure that if I admitted to holding interests in some of the things I like, a great many people wouldn’t buy my books either. But there’s a difference I feel that should be noted, and that is that I am not an organization, nor is Orson Scott Card.

Sure, he can throw his money at whatever misguided view he happens to support. So can the rest of us, so I’m not going to sit here and damn anyone because of their views or what they support because if there wasn’t variety, contrast, or choice, the world would again be a damned lonely place.

Another thing worth noting, and perhaps which is most important: The artists themselves actually make very little on the sale of one item. It’s why piracy makes sense. Most of the money is made by the publishers and advertisers who promote the work of the artists, and let’s face it, artists are more often than not getting the low end of the stick these days.

Not like any of that matters one damn of a difference to me (except in the case of my own work of course).

Orson Scott Card’s stories are amazing and that’s really all I care about. And please…don’t resort to hypocrisy. If you’re planning on seeing the movie at all and if you’ve ever read the books, you’ve supported his vision–which is basically the same as supporting the man anyway. Stop deluding yourselves.

Of course it’s nothing to feel guilty about. We’re all human and we’re all here to learn from and understand each other. If we destroy something without understanding it–as Ender unknowingly does to the Formics–we are left with an even bigger hole in ourselves, regardless of whether we immediately realize it or not.

There are many things and people I don’t understand on this planet of ours, but I certainly don’t commit myself to their destruction, nor do I condemn them for their beliefs or for what they support. Everyone influences change. If someone’s attitudes and ideas are revolting/compelling enough, that can inspire the right people to rise up and start a revolution for what they believe in.

Ender’s Game taught me a great many positive things, as well as reminding me what I stand for.

Now if I chose to boycott Orson Scott Card…would I have learned what I have? Would I be so emotionally affected and driven in ways and directions I never thought I would go? Maybe, maybe not.

I just know it’s a damned good book and I could care less what OSC thinks. I happen to be grateful for what the work of a bigot has taught me.