My husband and I went to see a movie last December with friends. We’d heard about the story of an Olympic runner who later served his country in WWII and then was interned in a prisoner of war camp. It was both inspiring and painful to watch.
During the incessant stream of movie trailers for upcoming releases before the movie even started, we saw an ad for another movie that gave a glimpse of an even more painful story. It showed a woman being seduced by a controlling man who put her in bondage for his sexual pleasure. The woman was tied by handcuffs to the bedposts, apparently in satisfied arousal.
Even I was fully aware of what this movie was about. Most Americans would have to have had their head in the sand the last few years to be unaware of the book that supposedly revitalized the sex lives of women everywhere.
The first time I heard about the bordering-on-black book was at one of my own book signings.
“Have you read it yet?” The middle-aged woman at my display table had a glint in her eye. “It’s on the bedside table of nearly every woman in America. It’s revolutionized their sex lives!”
“No. Can’t say as I’ve heard of it or read it,” I said innocently. With the enthusiasm of an Evangelistic Christian, she assured me I should indulge. The message was, “This book will save your sex life.”
Since I am quite satisfied with what goes on behind closed doors with my own husband, I didn’t feel compelled to be “saved.”
It wasn’t long before I heard there was not one but now a series of books. Concern about the content involving extreme bondage and the demeaning way in which the female character is treated, began to filter through stories I read from trusted sources.
Some began to complain. Others secretly bought the book and got sucked into the apparent titillation of the story.
The books are best sellers. Hollywood has now turned it into a movie and it’s being released for Valentine’s week.
Although I’ve not read this series of books, I’ve read reviews by those who I trust. Not being under the spell of the captivating arousal supposedly elicited by reading these stories, I have been alarmed by other forms of bondage that I see everyday on the news. There are horrific accounts, from sex trafficking to terrorist oppression. Women and girls throughout the world are being taught that they are nothing more than objects, to be used for a man’s pleasure. Why else would certain groups think it’s OK to surgically remove a woman’s organ of sexual pleasure?
So please consider this. Before you throw on sunglasses, gather your girlfriends and giggle your way into the late night theater, you might want to ask yourself a serious question: Are women who salivate at the idea of a man in gray having their minds twisted into terrorist submission?
It speaks volumes about our culture that the book is such a best seller, and now the film will no doubt be a hit. So sad. And it is too bad that OLD FASHIONED, the movie coming out the same day (for us counter culture folks) is being shown in so few theaters. http://www.oldfashionedmovie.com/
Agree with you completely. You rebel you. 😉
My feelings exactly, Elaine. I am SO shocked and concerned that so many people, especially women, would think being abused and controlled is something good in a relationship. What has this country come to? This is what was call smut–now it is mainstream. Thank God I have a heavenly home I get to go to one day where none of this will exist! With all the terrible things that happen to girls and women out there, why would they want to watch this harmful porn?
Agree wholeheartedly, Carrie. I imagine some of the women who read these books are appalled at the inhuman treatment of women by terrorist groups. Are their eyes so blinded, they can’t see the sick similarity? And yes, thank God for our heavenly home to anticipate. Thanks for stopping by.