Speaking Out: Spread light to counter darkness

On March 26, our popular culture evidently took one more step towards a state of depravity with the release of  “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X, a rapper known for his unorthodox rap/pop crossovers and his openly homosexual identity.

While the song’s lyrics are immoral in themselves, they are nothing compared to the video they accompany, which contains blatantly anti-Christian and pro-Satanic imagery. Oh, and the song is wildly popular: it sits comfortably atop the Billboard Hot 100.

For those who have not seen the music video or heard the song, I will refrain from spoiling your happy ignorance with explicit details. For Catholics, however, the song’s message is clear: Christianity and its values are under attack in mainstream media.

How should Christ’s disciples respond to such attacks? Folks in my circle believe the only course of action we can take is to boycott the large Hollywood movie and music production companies. At first, the reasoning seems valid: Every day, the mainstream media is inching more and more towards degeneracy — therefore, we should boycott it.

But is this the proper response? Isn’t boycotting malicious media just half of the solution?

Yes. The correct approach includes producing good and moral media to counteract the growing cyst of evil in our society.

But in a world that seems so anti-Christian, how do we propagate the marketplace with wholesome media? Well, there’s no other way than starting from the bottom and working our way up.

Hey! You there! The kid with a passion for composing and playing music: I’m talking to you. And you too! The auteur with a love for unique and experimental short movies. Artists have an immense amount of influence over others. They can use their gifts to inspire people, or give them a reason to despair; to lead them closer to God, or move them further away.

Look at Lil Nas X. Clearly, he is a gifted artist, but he chooses to use his God-given artistic capabilities to spread evil, corrupting millions of people who listen to him just because he produces catchy songs.

The majority of these people are not listening to his music because it’s evil, but simply because it sounds good. And the same goes for any media product: If it’s entertaining, it will get attention. With this in mind, Catholics can find encouragement for we have just as much power to create good art and reach millions of people with it.

If you’re so blessed as to have a creative flare, then be aware that God doesn’t make mistakes; He gave it to you for a reason. Use that flare for God’s glory. It’s people like you who hold the power of influence and are going to spread God’s message far and wide.

Don’t be discouraged because the mainstream media spreads more darkness over the world every day. As Christ said, don’t hide your light under a bushel; let it shine for all the world to see!

What’s great about the light? It tends to conquer the darkness.

(Wilson, 20, is studying for his Bachelor of Catholic Studies degree at Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ont.)