Today's MOZEN: ALL Must Resist Violence

Really? Are you serious? I'll let the trailer notes describe the latest film from Taraji P. Henson, Proud Mary:

Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.

You've got to be kidding me! Finally, we have an African-American actress with style, grace, sex appeal, independence, and genuine power in Ms. Henson and what does she choose for her next big project: an ultra-violent, revenge fueled, loud, vain, vulgar, poorly conceived, and badly written film. Even the poster portrays Mary with nothing but violent images in her head!!

I know roles like this are supposed to empower women but, in what way - by, showing that they can rely on massive weaponry, deadly skill, and a vigilante's sense of justice - just like we misguided, testosterone fueled men?

Pathetic.

By all accounts, gun violence is a plague on the African-American community. A study by *The Violence Policy Center indicates that African-Americans make up just 13% of our population but account for 50% of ALL homicides! The reasons are varied and complex. But, the fact remains - it is an epidemic. And, certainly, films where EVERY bad guy has a gun and is done in by EVERY good guy (or WOMAN) with a BIGGER ONE can't help!

Holy Shit!

You can't have it both ways.

Blacks cannot complain that gun violence is decimating their communities while their role models, both men and women, continue to act in vehicles that promotes violence as a way, perhaps the ONLY WAY, to solve problems. Here, young black women finally have someone to look up to in Ms. Henson - beautiful, successful, powerful. And, what does she deliver to them as her message? - KILL all the bad guys!!

And, Ms. Henson is not the only one. I've called out Denzel Washington for the same reasons. By every account, Mr. Washington has done enormous amounts for the African-American community. But, at the same time, he has made millions of dollars acting in ultra-violent films. Well, shame on both of them for taking the money and laughing all the way to the bank.

WAKE UP, PEOPLE - especially my black brothers and sisters. Resist violence on all it's levels.

Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact,violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. MLK


*https://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-sugarmann/the-gun-violence-epidemic_b_9540258.html