Call to action - Storytellers.
Right now, children are growing up in a world where global leaders and growing movements are promoting hate. Where you can be a misogynist, a racist, a xenophobe and a homophobe and end up in the most powerful position on this planet.
The result of yesterday’s vote sends all the wrong messages. It teaches young people that if you are different, that if you do not conform to social norms, you are not valid. Your voice will not be heard.
The media have undoubtedly played a large role in this election and it can be discouraging and difficult to accept but all is not lost. Remember some of the great storytelling that has been commissioned in recent years. This work is more important now than ever. If we cannot rely on our governments to set the right examples then the media has a responsibility to do so.
Film studios, production houses, television networks: Be brave, be bold.
Independent filmmakers, artists, aspiring storytellers: Unite, collaborate. You have mobile phones with incredible cameras, you have the internet, you have a platform when others don’t. Use it.
Hold a mirror up to society and highlight its flaws.
Promote inclusivity and diversity, respect and kindness.
Show young women they can be strong.
Show young men that emotion is not weakness.
Show that people fleeing war and poverty deserve to live in a safe and fair world, to be welcomed, not feared.
Show that everyone has a right to be who they are without shame, that love is love, that every human being is unique therefore and that being different is really the norm.
Educate by shining a light on the difficulties in our countries’ pasts.
Explain why we must never forget our history in order to learn from it.
Emphasise that the colour of your skin, the religion you practice, your physical health or mental health, the person you love, the person you identify yourself as, the country/body/family you were born into should never dictate your treatment by society.
Create stories where people are people instead of subject matters or tropes.
One race. Humanity. Don’t let society split it into factions and decide who is valid and who is not.
Show the world it in all of its glory and all of its shame.
Importantly: Don’t ever stop finding humour in the darkest of times(lines).
After all, laughter is the best medicine.
So keep entertaining, provide escapism for those who will need it. Create the world you want to live in, a future people can look towards and fight for.
Don’t forget to write the happy ending once in a while.
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