Image via The Guardian
Quentin Tarantino’s recent comments calling police officers “murderers” at a New York City protest in late October reveals nothing new about Hollywood to the American public except for a reminder of its rampant hypocrisy and shallow-mindedness.
The Academy Award-winning filmmaker said at the anti-police brutality rally, “I’m a human being with conscience. And if you believe there’s murder going on then you need to rise up and stand up against it. I’m here to say I’m on the side of the murdered.”
It doesn’t take an expert political analyst to determine that Tarantino was labeling police officers as murderers.
Even more disturbing, though, is a recent Instagram post by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, who ranted, “Now certain police, the same ones who defend the cops who’ve killed unarmed innocent black citizens, are out to get Tarantino. They’ve called for a boycott of his movies. Really? I think just the opposite. I think millions of us not only stand with Tarantino, we’re going to make sure we go see his next movie! Who’s with me? Stay strong Quentin.”
What’s common between both of the outspoken Hollywood stars are the broad negative generalizations they make about American law enforcement, and as a result the fools that Moore and Tarantino make of themselves.
Conservative media were quick to point out that Tarantino and Moore, as celebrities, have enjoyed police protection on many occasions, such as at film debuts or at the Oscars. For Tarantino at least, police are on set to make sure people do not interfere with his film-making. Moreover, the recent high-profile deaths Moore and Tarantino refer to all involved individuals guilty of crimes, and all of those individuals were dangerously violent toward police, even if they didn’t have a gun.
Both the NYPD, which consists of over 34,000 employees, and the LAPD, which has almost 10,000 officers, have announced their intentions to boycott Tarantino’s upcoming film, The Hateful Eight, due in theaters this December. In addition, the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents over 330,000 sworn officers nationwide, is now endorsing the boycott. Though Tarantino has tried to clarify his statements by limiting his “murderer” label to only some policemen, the vast majority of police officers have clearly sent a message to Tarantino, Moore, and the rest of Hollywood that they will fight back against the demonization.
Yet Tarantino has not shied away from his grossly inaccurate statements. In a recent broadcast with Bill Maher, Tarantino criticized police unions: “They’re saying that I’m a cop hater, which is slander because I didn’t say that and they’re implying that I meant that all cops are murderers and I wasn’t.” However, he immediately launches into a vastly inaccurate hypothetical portrayal of police: “Say you got into a scuffle with a cop — I’m not encouraging that — and you ended up punching them. In today’s world, you would just be shot for that. Absolutely shot. If you grabbed their baton, you’d be shot for that.” The self-proclaimed “human being with conscience” goes from vehemently denying calling all cops murderers to immediately calling all cops murderers—based on a scenario where the “murdered” is trying to hurt or murder the police officer by punching or going for the baton.
While Tarantino and Moore will continue to make fools of themselves through their emotionally-driven, Hollywood-liberal pandering rhetoric, we can rise above their level to address the very real issue Tarantino failed to. There are certainly some cops that perpetuate negative stereotypes, and misconduct within the criminal justice system does exist. Shouldn’t our goal be to address these issues in mature and constructive ways rather than making overzealous claims about the nature of police officers? This is the exact question being asked regarding other targeted groups, such as illegal immigrants in this country.
In the grand scheme of making social progress, isn’t it common knowledge that addressing issues (such as incidents of police misconduct) in detail is preferable to encouraging broad generalizations and widespread distrust? In order to bring about the much-needed equality in crime and punishment, maybe we should instead embrace issues from the level-headed standpoint.
Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.
Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.
That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.