Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 07/16/24

It was on September 15th, 2016 when Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon had the audacity to humanize Donald Trump by playfully mussing the then GOP presidential candidate’s hair. Fallon quickly came under (figurative) fire for having the audacity to humanize the man and soon found himself whimpering to the media that “I didn’t do it to humanize him.”

I was always brought up to believe that we must never forget the humanity of our opponents – even in war time.  Somehow, that day, during that campaign, the rules changed – except they really didn’t. The moral principle remained the same. Unfortunately, it was the failure to maintain that principle in our politics and in our media that appears to have led to the attempted assassination of the former president this past Saturday, as well as the heroic death Corey Comperatore and the critical wounding of two others. Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking movingly and appropriately about the victims while Melania Trump posted to X the words what our culture needs to internalize:

I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans.

We have always been a unique union. America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one.

When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.

To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.

A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.

Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love. Our personal, structural, and life commitment – until death – is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings.

We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another. American politics are only one vehicle that can uplift our communities. Love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities.

And let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthly realm.

Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.

This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realize this world again. Each of us must demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships again.

I am thinking of you, my fellow Americans.

The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide – thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.

IMHO: Out of this great tragedy, we have an opportunity to dial things back and never again allow ourselves to be manipulated by media pundits or anyone else into denying the humanity of those we disagree with politically. America deserves better.
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The Varvel cinematic universe. Ever since he was five, Brett Varvel, the son of a world-famous cartoonist Gary Varvel, prayed to become a filmmaker. His prayers answered, the successful actor (whose credits include the faith-friendly films American Underdog and Running the Bases) and founder of his own faith-based production company called House of Grace Films . His latest film Disciples in the Moonlight, which he produces, directs and stars in (off a script by Christian screenwriter and co-star Josh Strychalski) hits theaters tomorrow. The film offers a dark vision of a not-too-distant future in which the government has banned The Bible for “offensiveness” and replaced it with a government-approved version. It then tells the story of a small group of rebels, pursued by a ruthless federal agent, who work to smuggle the Word of God to underground churches throughout the Midwest. You can check out the trailer below.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.