Outrage is never enough

Davon Gray
Published: August 24, 2008

Last week someone sent me an email that just infuriated me. Quiet often I get such emails because my friends are so outraged they just have to share the email.  This was that kind of an email.

The subject line said it all, “OH MY GOODNESS, THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!”

The email showed a young girl — probably no older than 5 and a little boy — probably no older than 7 — dancing at what looked like a birthday party. No harm so far as long as the dancing is playful and
clean. But the clean part is what was lacking. 

All of a sudden the little girl in the video turns her back to the boy, falls to the floor and starts gyrating on the floor. At the same time the little boy was standing their acting as though he is spanking the
little girl. Meanwhile the people in the background, both children and adults are cheering. 

For the purpose of this article that is about as clean as I can keep it but you get the picture from my description. To say this is an outrage almost belittles the fact that child services should have a long
talk with the parents of these children.

Everyone who saw the video shared in my opinion but it struck a really bad nerve with me.  Maybe I feel so outraged because I have a daughter about the same age as the kids in the email video.

From the looks of the video, at least from the boy’s perspective, he seemed uncomfortable. The problem with that is, the next time he does this, if that hasn’t already happened; he probably won’t be
uncomfortable anymore. 

What’s worse, everyone seemed to know the lyrics to the song used for the dancing. Which got me to thinking, yes there is something to be said about bad parenting but how about we give a little blame
to the music, radio stations and music videos where the kids get their moves and lyrics from.

I can’t tell you the number of times I hear kids on the Metro singing or wrapping lyrics that are sexual in nature or just vulgar in lyrics. I’m no child psychologist but this can’t be good for a child’s long term
growth or to influence their immediate actions.

Which got me to thinking about something else. The best way to end this type of assault on our children is to direct the outrage and frustration to the political and regulatory process. What better way to
do that than through the presidential and congressional campaigns

What does a president or member of Congress have to do with some kids gyrating on a floor, singing about sex or cursing on a Metro? The answer is: a whole lot.

Whoever, is elected president will most likely get to appoint five commissioners to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These commissioners have jurisdiction over radio, television, wire and
satellite communications in the U.S. and its territories.  These commissioners determine what the policies are for regulating what is said and seen on television. The United States Senate confirms these
commissioners.

We need to be asking Senator Obama, Senator McCain and anyone running for the Senate what their vision is for the FCC and how they feel about such suggestive communications being directed at our
children all in the name of free speech. To me, that is more important than asking both Senators about their pastors or how many houses they own. It is also more important than me just getting upset
with the parent in the video who most likely I will never meet or be able to influence in a positive manner.

Suggestive messages to children are critical contributors to their future. So if that is true, shouldn’t we be more careful what is allowed on the air waves? Now I know there are a lot of you reading this and
saying “why don’t people just turn off the radio or turn away from a certain television station if they don’t like what they are seeing?” I would agree with you, which is why I don’t have premium channels
any more. Unfortunately, many of the messages being delivered through the media have spread to every radio station and almost every television. In essence, that is infringing upon other people’s freedom
of speech not to have such media in their homes.

Now I am not advocating an end to freedom of speech.  Nor am I saying the government is responsible for kids like the one in the email video I received. What I am saying is that government is only as
good as the people it serves. Meaning we as voters and parents can get a higher level of service from the government by demanding more from politicians who appoint people to agencies like the FEC. It’s
good to be outraged but its better to change things through elections. 

That may not stop little girls and boys from dirty dancing but at least they won’t have as many examples readily available showing them how to do it.

Davon Gray works in Washington, D.C., and resides in Woodbridge. Contact him at .