Media VS. My Morals

The power of good storytelling will always fascinate me. Do you ever find yourself watching a movie and you are on the villain's side? Sometimes, it is not just the villain but something you wouldn’t normally support or encourage. It has happened to me countless times. 

This one time I watched a Telenovela on KBC (still one of the best I’ve ever watched!) Wueeh!! This one had me feeling ten thousand things at once. First of all, the main character is head over heels in love with his brother’s wife. Luckily, she likes him back - like a lot. (Notice the use of the word luckily!) In the same series, the father - catholic priest - is hoooot! (Notice the use of the word hot!) Before you judge me, they took us to the gym with the father. Sometimes he had a shirt and trousers on, but other times he’d only have a vest and a pair of shorts on. And the person they cast as father was very decent (my friend thinks she can use this interchangeably with handsome). Well, some woman in the telenovela also had their eyes on him and almost led him to sin. 

When I watched the 5 Juanas on Netflix, I found myself in a very weird position. If you haven’t watched it, it is a story of 5 girls who find out they have an identical birthmark in the exact spot and they share a father. The rest of it is them trying to figure out who their father is. In the process, one Juana meets a guy that she likes. Even I like him! There is so much tension between them, but every time they plan to get together, something happens and they don’t. Sadly, they find out that there is a huge probability that they are siblings. They are at a point of no return, and it feels easier for them to get over and done with the sexual tension around them. Eventually, they realise they cannot stop what they have and agree to get together before the DNA results are out. Incest being a punishable offence by law, and their twisted grandfather having video proof of the act, I found myself praying for them not to be found out! Thank God, as it turned out, the guy's mother had cheated with her husband's brother - very chaotic, I know - but they don’t share a father, and that’s what’s important (Notice the thank God!) 

Heartbreak High had me empathizing with Cash and every gay person who couldn’t express themselves freely, but back to the power of storytelling!

Media, online and offline, is one of the best tools for influencing the views, values and eventually actions of people. Stories, when well told, move your emotions, challenge your thoughts and beliefs and inspire you to do/ to be a certain way. 

At the end of the day, be careful what you watch/ consume. It has the power to shape your perception of right and wrong and ultimately life. 

Well, that’s it from me this week. Till next time

Con Amor,

Christine.