Special – Page 14 – Colin McMahon

Utopia: No One Should Care About Michael Sam and Ellen Page Being Gay

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Colin McMahon

On February 10th of this past year, I can remember reading an article on ESPN Boston that gave me pause. The subject: would Michael Sam (who just came out as the first openly gay football player entering the NFL draft) be a good fit for the New England Patriots? Reading it unfolded as I figured: yes, if he can help the team win. You know what I remember thinking as soon as I finished: “must be a slow news day if this is what they’re talking about.” But it wasn’t just an ESPN Boston article, it was all over the news. That night I heard it on the NewsHour (public broadcasting I consider to be more reputable than CNN or… you know, Fox). It astonished me that it was all television journalists would talk about. Thankfully most of the reaction was positive and supporting but I couldn’t help thinking: isn’t there something (a lot of things) more newsworthy?

This is a chart showing radiation leaking into the Pacific Ocean from Japan. Not to be an alarmist but doesn't this impact exponentially more people than Michael Sam's orientation? — This is a chart showing radiation leaking into the Pacific Ocean from Japan. Not to be an alarmist but doesn’t this impact exponentially more people than Michael Sam’s orientation?

Less than a week later, Ellen Page also came as gay. She revealed her truth in a very passionate and sincere speech. It was genuinely moving but again: I couldn’t believe how many people were talking about it. Her announcement did not generate the sensation that Michael Sam’s did (he is an historic first, after all) but still. People cared, like really cared (both supportive and inhuman). My thought was this: who cares who these people sleep with?

A lot of people do. That’s the sad fact. Whether abroad or at home, the issue of gay rights is still an intense battle. Should it be: f*ck no, there are actual problems out there BUT that doesn’t make it any less legitimate. Take the Olympics for example: we all know about Russia’s stance.

Just saying: for a country that hates gays, they put on one colorful opening ceremony.

Personally I feel that the United States, Canada, and every other country claiming to be “first-world” should have abstained from attending. By sending our athletes, that was an endorsement, not just of the Olympics (which are very homoerotic when you consider the history: so add that irony) but of Russia (most importantly, their politics). But anyway, I’ll try to stick to my point and avoid ranting.

There is a real perverse fascination with people’s sex lives on this planet. Whether it’s in support or not: why do people care? Sex is an intensely personal act so unless the whole planet is having one global orgy, it’s not going to affect everyone. Yet this has been an issue throughout all of human history. First it was skin color and gender, now it’s sexual orientation. Humanity loves to look for stupid reasons to hate each other.

I don’t mean this article to belittle LGBT rights or pride in any way. Those organizations are needed and are a benefit for so many millions. I cannot praise enough the work that they do. However, I do look forward to the day where gay/bisexual/transgender pride is treated the same way as straight pride: no one cares.

We're getting there, just slowly. — We’re getting there, just slowly.

There should never be pride or shame in being what you are. Black, white, gay, straight, brown-haired, blue-eyed, depressed, athletic: people are born with all sorts of traits. Some of them are currently societal advantages and some of them are legitimate gifts and handicaps (a person born with a strong heart as opposed to a person born with an anxiety disorder). The point is, regardless of type: those don’t matter. That’s what makes humanity great. We’re born being what we are; we decide who we are. Sometimes that decision isn’t great. I’m not going to say everyone is awesome because there have been (and still are) plenty of people who choose to hurt rather than to love, to be angry instead of forgiving, to be prejudiced instead of understanding. Those are defects worth getting emotional about, because those are the ultimately the responsibility of the individual.

To quote the LEGO Movie (which is so awesome btw): "it may sound like a cat poster but it's true". — To quote *the LEGO Movie* (which is so awesome btw): “I know it sounds like a cat poster but it’s true”.

I’m far from preaching all out love. Again, people should be held responsible for the poor decisions they make and unconditional love in the face of repeated abuse is certainly an unhealthy thing. As I said before, I’m aware that the world is not ready for LGBT pride to be irrelevant, I just hope one day that it can be (that sounds odd to say). Both Michael Sam and Ellen Page are role models and incredibly brave for what they CHOSE to do. Fifty years from now though, I would love it if the reaction I opened the article with was the norm: “someone’s talking about their sexuality? Must be a slow news day”.

To me there are few sadder pictures than children being taught to hate.

Unveiling the Pilot (Part One): The Red Rings of Redemption Play Lost: Via Domus

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Today marks the beginning of something new for the Red Rings of Redemption. I am proud to announce that the first part of the pilot for the Youtube series, The Red Rings of Redemption Play, is now online for public viewing pleasure. Obviously this represents a work in progress. While the eventual series will follow a similar format, changes will be made. Feedback at this stage is more than welcome as we are aiming to create the best program we can.

I will just say for starters that editing and a few issues on the technical side (sound syncing) will be improved in the later videos. There were a few issues that arose this particular filming that prevented it from being tighter.

So with that being said I invite you to watch us as we embark on this next stage of the journey. Here’s hoping it will be fun!

No Love Lost for Valentine's Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Let me make one quick comment at the beginning of this post: I do not hate Valentine’s Day. I don’t love it either – it’s a day. Valentine’s Day, as a date of measured time, has never done anything to personally advance or hinder me so I bear it no feeling. For those out there hating Valentine’s Day, here you go. So why am I talking about it then? This is a blog dedicated to media’s (marketing/advertising/pop culture) impact on the world. I can’t entirely ignore it.

In many ways, Valentine’s Day is like every other major holiday. It has a history, it has a focus group. Many out there will claim that Valentine’s Day was invented simply to make money. Well, they’re right. In the same way that Santa Claus was invented for Christmas and costumes purposed for Halloween: there is a definite money-making angle associated with Valentine’s Day. Yet Valentine’s Day, for the record, is not a Hallmark celebration.

According to internet history a.k.a. Wikipedia, Valentine’s Day is a feast celebrating the life of St. Valentine. Which St. Valentine you may ask: good question, there may have been at least three so… all of them? The particular one people celebrate lived during the time when Christians and Romans were anything but bros. In fact helping Christians was a crime back then… yeah, Roman Emperor Claudius II had no time for these new crazy Jesus folk. In fact, St. Valentine was arrested for marrying Christian couples – Christian marriage back then being entirely illegal. Boy, if only there was a modern day equivalent for that:

Maybe all those people out there calling Valentine's Day "gay" are just being historically insightful. — Maybe all those people out there calling Valentine’s Day “gay” are just being historically insightful.

So anyway, St. Valentine got arrested. He was ultimately put to death for trying to convert the emperor (Claudius II had taken a liking to his prisoner just not in the way: “I like (will switch my faith) like you”). There it is: the official reason for Valentine’s Day. Celebrating a man who was jailed for helping others find love. That’s an excellent cause for celebration but probably not what most people take offense to.

Nothing says long-lasting love like an endangered species doomed to extinction.

Merchandising. Corporations are making a nice profit today, specifically florists, card makers, chocolate makers, and restaurant owners. For them, their valentine is small and green and smells like money. But here is the thing: nearly every holiday out there has been marketed to death (thank God for Thanksgiving) so Valentine’s Day isn’t unique. This isn’t even an invented tradition, people have been giving “valentines” to each other for hundreds of years.

This is a 13th century painting of the Valentine's Day hipster: giving hearts before it was cool. — This is a 13th century painting of the Valentine’s Day hipster: giving hearts before it was cool.

For those out there protesting corporate intrusion into something as personal as love: that I can support. Good thing there’s an easy remedy: don’t buy sh*t. Seriously, if anyone out there in a relationship can’t think of anything more personal than chocolates and flowers for their significant other… how well do they know each other?

Roses aren't even the only red flower in existence. At least be a little creative. — Roses aren’t even the only red flower in existence. At least be a little creative.

Yet I think there is more to the Valentine’s Day resentment than just the commercialization. This is day celebrating the joy of sharing love. Many out there don’t have another human being they feel that way about so naturally: there are feelings of exclusion. Again, I blame this on marketing. They’ve been better with other holidays:

Christmas: the Christian holiday for everyone.

Unfortunately here is the principle of marketing: making you, the individual, want something. Valentine’s Day is the double-dose of this principle. Since the day itself is purported to be about celebrating love with a significant other – there is already a need for someone else. Now Valentine’s Day advertising says that someone else isn’t enough, the consumer must buy things to please that other. And if buying things make the other happy than not buying things might make them sad and so on… it’s a rabbit hole: don’t go down it.

You know the most precious thing about love: it cannot be commodified. Every love is unique. Asking a corporation or really anyone else to make a gift for your significant other is like asking a stranger to decorate your house or name your child. They have no way of knowing. It doesn’t make them soulless or evil, just outmatched. If you are in a relationship: you are the only person capable of getting your significant other what they truly want. Don’t ask Hallmark – they don’t know.

Hey, it's the best a stranger can do. — Hey, it’s the best a stranger can do.

And for those out there without a significant other: your love is still special, so you’re part of the celebration. Doesn’t really matter if you love another person or your job or something else in this wonderful world of ours – Valentine’s Day is about celebrating that healthy love. I say healthy because there are those out there just in relationships because they don’t know how to be alone… that is one romantic love that should be anything but celebrated.

Yes, marketing can make single people feel bad about themselves today. Marketing can (and does) make people feel bad about themselves every day: that’s their job (really sick when you think about it). Don’t blame Valentine’s Day, it’s just a day. And really: could be worse. Take Korea for instance, not only do they have two days for couples, they also have a day where single people are required to eat black food in mourning of their lack of relationship. Yikes.