The Revolution Will Be Televised: The Conservative Pop-Culture Problem

Recently, RedState editor Ben Howe published a piece on the site Buzzfeed where he critiques a 'Tea party' film currently in production. His actions have come under attack a few reasons. One: Buzzfeed is a liberal-leaning site and some fear Howe has played into their hands. Two: Some question the fairness of voicing a negative opinion of a conservatively-themed film before it's even finished. I'm not discounting the fact that Buzzfeed may spin this, because that's what they do, but there is validity in critique when it comes to how conservatives approach pop culture.

Conservatives, whether it be the Republican party or the Tea party, have a little bit of a messaging problem. We can't seem to get a foothold in pop culture aside from being the constant butt of jokes. Our 'establishment' culture has abandoned the creative building blocks of pop culture and this is the root of the problem. Because of our unwillingness to be open to new ideas, we have become the old crotchety fogies they think we are.

When you think of conservative art, what do you think? Chances are you see an airbrushed-looking painting, saturated tones of crimson and sapphire, with a bald eagle and American flag. There may be a motorcycle or muscle car involved, perhaps some camouflage or sun rays and praying hands. The whole thing is just a hop, skip, and jump from a Confederate flag decal in the back of a hopped-up 4X4. But when liberals see art, or the art that promotes their views, it's nothing like this. They have an open mind and vast palette. They have their ears to the ground and they see the trends coming. They're not always hobbled by iconic cliches.

How about conservative music? It's usually country in genre, which isn't terrible, but that's all we can seem to get. What about the millions of people out there who like other types of music? They're bombarded by an unwavering stream of sex, drugs, and liberal propaganda. Why is it so hard to present a conservative message in a song that doesn't also contain references to John Deere tractors and pickup trucks?

Why are conservatives so set on presenting themselves like this? Art, design, music, film, and literature isn't always practiced by liberal minds. Case in point, myself. I'm an artist and designer and I'm not a liberal. I have creative friends who aren't liberals. Where is the local, regional, and national backing for our efforts? Oh, that's right, nowhere. Where are the candidates who wish to work with designers, photographers, and PR people who ride the cutting-edge waves of creativity? They're still content to try and do these things on their own or use design/PR firms who crank out antiquated designs and are quite possibly sabotaging the candidate because of their political views.

Look conservatives, it's time to wake up and have a bold cup of truth java (and a slap in the face). If we don't start taking this pop culture thing seriously, we're headed for the scrap heap. That means we have to start giving credence to the new voices in our midst, those who don't just want to smack a flag on something and call it good. It's time to find our George Clooney's, Beyoncés, and Shepard Faireys. We have to engage pop culture on its turf and that means bending our ancient rules a little. Be smart, be edgy, and the people will respond.

So in closing, I don't hold Ben Howe's actions against him. He saw something embarrassing (and possibly really damaging) in what these filmmakers are doing and he called them out on it. He called us out on it too. We're in the middle of a bloody culture war here and though it's never good to have dissension in the ranks, sometimes tactics have to change for the tides to turn. Could the forum been a little less hostile, sure, but these days there's really no use in preaching to the choir, especially when the entire church seems to be asleep.

A New Year for Old Blessings

I made a pie recently, one that required chunks of dark chocolate. I had a bar of 90% cacao and just had to use it. I dug from the kitchen drawer a little grating tool, loaded the chunks of chocolate, and started grating. Some time later, I gave up on this method, only producing chocolate dust instead of chunks and fussing far too much with what should have been a simple tool. I made my pie and set about washing up. That's when I noticed it, the little hole in the middle bar of the grater, the hole where the pin was supposed to go. The pin would have held things in place better and would have changed my workflow completely.

We work so hard sometimes to merely function in this world we forget the little tools we've been given to make things easier. Fact is, things will only turn out the way we want them if we use those tools. We don't always take pride in the talents we have and we don't always think them valuable, but they are there for a reason. Days go by and we function, but not to the best of our ability. We either forget the armor and weapons we possess or spend all our time wishing we had those that belong to others.

Each of us have an assortment of talents, experiences, and knowledge that is unique to us. If you're a writer, don't despair because of the number of writers out there. None of them put words to a page the way you do. If you are in new media, the vast untamed world that it is, don't make notoriety your number one focus. Instead, make your focus the truth, put your weight behind integrity. Notoriety can follow and if it does, you'll be better equipped to handle it and use it properly. If you're like me, a creative of the visual nature, follow that little flame you have in your soul. It's there to guide you because it knows you. Don't worry about the other people in your field, what they're doing and whether or not they accept you. Their linchpin won't fit your life anyway.

And in politics, using your gifts becomes even more important. We're at a tenuous time in the history of our great nation. Politicians, like so many of us, have become obsessed by reputation and reward, forsaking character completely. What is character if not using the great gifts we've been given of talent and experience for good? That is what we need now, people with knowledge, real, tested practices that change things for the better. They're out there; folks not only with those gifts, but blessed with courage, something you must have to fight a battle like this.

A new year is a time for new beginnings, but it's also a time to learn from the past. Look ahead to 2013 with renewed faith of someone who is blessed to be alive. Not just that, but as someone who is blessed with so much to share. Remember, your gifts are unique to you. Use them and you will be very surprised how much easier things can be. And once you've learned to use what you have, teach others to use what they have. I know it would have been helpful for someone to dig that little pin out of the drawer and hand it me. Time saved indeed.