Posted on 02/21/2011 10:29:38 AM PST by Gena Bukin
Regardless of whether a judge or jury finds Evan Emory guilty of a sex offense for creating a lewd video with schoolchildren in the background, the case has highlighted a cultural divide between the so-called Millennial Generation and pretty much everyone else.
Many of the Millennials — mostly young adults without children — wonder what all the fuss is about. So Emory made a video with Ravenna elementary children in the background looking surprised and smiling a lot. They say since Emory sang a harmless “Lunch Lady Land” song to the children during his actual performance and subbed in lyrics with sexually graphic references afterward, before posting the video to YouTube, that no harm was done.
These Millennials see the video as a joke and comedy, and even if some admit the video was in bad taste, they believe no crime was committed. This kind of thing is on comedy shows and MTV all the time, they reason. And it’s certainly on YouTube, the social networking site that allows anyone to post a video of almost any kind for the entire world to see.
They are outraged that Emory, who was a good student himself at Ravenna and never got into any trouble, is facing a 20-year felony charge of manufacturing child sexually abusive material. They can’t fathom that Emory, if convicted, is facing the possibility of having to be on the sex offender registry the rest of his life when he didn’t actually “expose” the children to anything.
Then there is the opposite spectrum — those who are horrified that someone would find humor in using children as a backdrop for a sexually explicit song. Whether the children actually heard the lyrics or not is beside the point, they reason, because it was the children’s innocent faces that were shown smiling and giggling when Emory’s nasty words were heard by hundreds and perhaps thousands of people before the video was removed from YouTube.
The parents of the children on the video are especially horrified, and as a parent, I can’t blame them. It would make me sick to my stomach to see one of my children placed in a situation like that. Many of them think the charges fit the crime, though it’s pretty clear that a 20-year felony for something like this is way over the top.
Still, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s office wants to make an example out of Emory so they went after the “big” charge. And Ravenna Superintendent John VanLoon probably echoed the sentiments of many folks when he said: “If you think that’s something funny, you really need to review and look at your personal values.”
Which brings up a bigger challenge in this age of technology. There was a time when you could limit the kind of garbage kids are exposed to — a time when TV programming didn’t allow even partial nudity and there weren’t hundreds of cable channels from which to choose, smart phones, the Internet and social media. Today there is no place to hide and despite the best efforts of parents, kids are influenced by all these contraptions they can access almost anywhere, anytime.
According to Wikipedia, the Millennials have been shaped by the rise of instant communication technologies and are “peer-oriented.” Reality TV, MTV, YouTube and the like have helped to desensitize teens and young adults to the difference between right and wrong.
Many young folks seek the instant gratification and star quality so prevalent in society today. And they seek it without considering the consequences.
Which, at least, might explain the cultural divide this case has highlighted — even if it doesn’t provide a good way to fix it.
“Jazz1968 was Zotted”
Yay! One less pedophile supporter here!
Living in some isolated world where theory and double-speak wins the day is foolish.
The guy used children as props in some sick game because he figured that’s what they are: Props. Objects to use.
I’ve had enough of listening to and allowing excuses for actions that are completely immoral. Facts are facts - here’s the most important fact that this guy should understand - Use my children as props and I’ll hunt him down and make sure (really, not theory) that it never happens again.
Amazing to think that some people excuse this behavior. Especially when it comes to children. This world just keeps on getting stranger.
Just checking in after a dreaded “town” trip (80 miles each way).
I have jumped the gun before and am always sorry when I do!
I finally checked out the nasty lyrics and yes, this guy needs a good whop upside the head. But you’re right, 20 years in prison is ridiculous.
This is not a “prank”. It is evidence of a sick mind.
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If he's the prosecutor, what would that make you?
This is disgusting. Our parents and their parents and on and on would be stunned to see anyone defending this pervert.
I’m shocked that their are “FReepers” who are actually defending this sick pervert.
I should have said: I’m shocked that there are “FReepers” who are actually defending this sick pervert.
I guess I’m more shocked than I realized.
Explain.
Type in (cut and paste) each “kooky” statement.
And then explain why each statement is kooky.
The burden of proof is on you to prove each statement is kooky.
You are the one calling Ron Paul kooky. I’m not saying either way if Ron Paul is kooky. Explain why the statements Ron Paul made are kooky. C’mon, that’s your message, right, that you think Ron Paul is kooky.
Defend your case, why is each of the Ron Paul statements kooky?
Thank goodness.
Are you insane?
I’ve been here 10 years. 5 years longer than metmom.
And my argument here is that this guy shouldn’t go to jail for video editing.
I think that we should find common ground that the Hollywood AntiChristians should be stopped.
But you aren’t going there, for some strange reason. The Hollywood AntiChristians are clearly the problem, but you want to go after a local youtuber.
Please, what is your opinion of the Hollywood AntiChristians?
You think it’s insane to point out that there’s a difference between wrong and illegal?
Child actors are props.
If you are going to go to Hollywood, and take down the Hollywood AntiChristians, you’re on to something.
I think it’s insane to defend and support a sexual pervert.
Actually, I’m not so shocked that there are trolls who signed up on FR and supporting this sick pervert. No true Freeper would do that. I did notice that you put FReeper in “”’s.
Wagglebee’s threads always bring out the trolls. Like a bug zapper attracting bugs. DUers are known for their suicide runs.
I don’t believe you any more than DJmacWoW does. Your account has been here longer than mine is all.
Besides longevity on FR is no indicator of moral integrity.
There are noobs who are more conservative than you and who can legitimately wear the title of FReeper with head held high.
A troll is a troll is a troll, even if it manages to flyunder the radar longer than most.
Please, what is your opinion of the Hollywood AntiChristians?
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