“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
If you are a Netflix subscriber, I hope that you will strongly consider cancelling your subscription. If there is anything worthy of cancelling in this cancel-culture which we live, it is this.
Last night, I saw a brief news segment on the sexual exploitation, and digital trafficking of young girls by way of the Netflix show “Cuties,” and it was heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, and disgusting all at the same time.
What is being promoted by Netflix is blatantly evil, and to do nothing is, in essence, calling it “good.”
Over 1 in every 4 people trafficked are children, and that number is more than likely low. For a culture that is crying out for justice, there is nothing more just and right than speaking out against, and tangibly doing something that brings attention and an end to a $150 billion a year criminal industry. To use a phrase that has become the mantra of the day, “Silence is violence,” if you believe that to be true, how can you remain silent about something that is sexually exploiting children by putting them on display for the Jefferey Epsteins and Ghislaine Maxwells of the world?
In 2016, former President Barack Obama spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative, and said: “I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name: modern slavery. It is barbaric and it is evil and it has no place in a civilized world.”
And to what he said, I say, “Amen!”
In 2018, Barack and Michelle Obama signed a “multi-year agreement” to help produce films and series in partnership with Netflix. (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/us/politics/barack-obama-netflix-show.html). If, in fact, what President Obama said in 2016 is something he firmly believes is true, and in light of the fact that he and Ms. Obama are influencers and have leverage with Netflix, and they do, why aren’t they calling out Netflix regarding a show that is nothing short of sexual exploitation, specifically of children, and the very thing that fuels human trafficking? To date, no comment has been made.
As well, in the same year of 2018, Ambassador Susan Rice, Obama’s former National Security Advisor, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Netflix. Without a doubt, as a Board Member she would have some influential counsel for the company, but yet there has been nothing done to remove “Cuties” from the platform. Why is that?
To this point, Netflix has refused to condemn any part of the film’s content. They did, however, issue a hollow and disingenuous apology last month for their print ad that showed girls posing in skimpy outfits.
Again, there is nothing cute about “Cuties.” And there’s nothing cute about young girls emulating Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. On Apple Music, the most-played song in the USA right now is “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan The Stallion. Parents, if you’re going to be upset about “Cuties,” and you should, then stop allowing your kids to listen to and watch those who are contributing to the issue, not helping. I could say more on this, but I’ll save it for another blog post.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
1. Cancel Netflix.
Sadly, money generated by shows and subscribers, not moral values determine what they do. If you are making the excuse that you’ll not be able to watch your favorite shows, you might want to think on what you value most and what is most valuable.
2. Reach out to Netflix via social media or email.
Respectfully share your thoughts with them on their social media platforms. Regardless of a person’s social status, people care about their social media presence and the approval of others. On Netflix’s website https://www.netflixinvestor.com/governance/officers-and-directors/default.aspx, they list their Officers and Directors. Here’s a list:
• NETFLIX OFFICERS
◦ Reed Hastings (Founder and CEO)
◦ David Hyman
◦ Jessica Neal
◦ Spencer Neumann
◦ Greg Peters
◦ Bozoma Saint John
◦ Ted Sarandos
◦ Rachel Whetstone
• NETFLIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS
◦ Richard Barton
◦ Rodolphe Belmer
◦ Mathias Dopfner
◦ Timothy Haley
◦ Jay Hoag
◦ Leslie Kilgore
◦ Ann Mather
◦ Ambassador Susan Rice
◦ Brad Smith
◦ Anne Sweeney
3. Do Something.
Consider getting involved with great organizations like A21 (www.a21.org). There are great national and international organizations that are making a difference in rescuing and ministering to those who have been victimized by human trafficking. Check your local area for legitimate organizations with which you can partner.
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