Challenging Our Values: A Reflection on Pleasantville and the Modern World
Pleasantville and Facebook: Exploring Evolving American Values
Facts: In the movie “Pleasantville,” a group of modern-day teenagers finds themselves inexplicably transported into a television world. This alternate reality is trapped in a black-and-white existence, where everything is perpetually “pleasant.” Pleasantville is a simplistic, idyllic place inhabited by docile and content citizens. In this world, words like “violence” and the very concept of a life beyond its borders are entirely foreign; everything seems perfect. However, the arrival of two teenagers disrupts this tranquility.
Initially, these teens attempt to conform to the established social order, inadvertently introducing their own set of values and sparking change within Pleasantville. In a parallel manner, Facebook mirrors the essence of Pleasantville and reflects the evolving values in America. Those in positions of influence seek to redefine American values, but it is imperative for Americans to resist such changes and carefully contemplate whether they warrant a departure from the principles laid down by the founding fathers. These principles include the core values of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (or property).”
Conclusion: “Pleasantville” stands as a thought-provoking film, encouraging us all to re-evaluate the enduring American values established by the founding fathers. It urges us to take a fresh look at the present-day world, often dismissed as racially charged, and recognize the abundant opportunities, readily available solutions, and prevailing freedom it offers.
Revisiting American Values: Adapting to Progressive Democrats' Legacy
Issue: The issue at hand arises from the historical context of anti-racist laws in the United States, spanning from the 1890s through the 1950s. During this period, many African Americans faced persecution and harm, primarily at the hands of progressive Democrats. Additionally, Abraham Lincoln’s pursuit of freedom and equality for all, regardless of gender, took a regressive turn. Instead of progressing forward, progressive Democrats contributed to oppression and segregation. Change only began to emerge with President Eisenhower’s tenure, and in 1960, the Civil Rights Movement sought to correct the wrongs inflicted by these racist laws. Moreover, the Supreme Court played a pivotal role by ruling against the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. The fundamental question now arises: should American values adapt to accommodate progressive Democrats and erase the historical legacy they created, which led us backward rather than forward?
Answer: No, because the retroactive application of implementing an anti-racist policy that restricts or diminishes an individual’s freedom of speech violates the First Amendment laws of the United States. Legally, one cannot curtail a person’s online message solely based on its emotional impact. Such a ruling would introduce chaos by establishing a precedent in which constitutionally guaranteed rights lose their meaning and protection.
Navigating Change in Pleasantville: A Parable for Contemporary Challenges
Rule and Application: The movie opens in contemporary America, a society often depicted as rude, decadent, and dangerous. David, a teenager, immerses himself in a 1950s sitcom called “Pleasantville,” a world where everyone is perpetually wholesome and happy. Meanwhile, his mother contends with her ex-husband, and his sister Jennifer prepares for a hot date.
This comedy seeks to reassure viewers that our current world represents progress rather than decay. Created in 1998, watching it today, around 2020, the world can sometimes appear rife with violence, decay, extremism, and regression. “Pleasantville,” one of the best and most original films of its year, sneakily delivers its message. It begins by poking fun at the nostalgia for black-and-white sitcoms like “Father Knows Best” and pretends to be a sitcom itself, ultimately concluding with a powerful social commentary.
David, a clean-cut teenager well-versed in the sitcom’s ways, briefs his sister Jennifer. Frustrated, Jennifer exclaims, “We’re stuck in nerdville!” They soon realize that life in Pleasantville revolves solely around Main Street. David’s basketball practice reveals that everyone scores with every shot. But change arrives when David and Jennifer decide to challenge the status quo.
As transformations occur, some aspects of Pleasantville turn to color while others remain black and white. Enlightened high school students grow curious and eager for change, questioning Bud (David). “What’s outside of Pleasantville?” they ask. His response hints at endless possibilities beyond their limited world.
Government officials notice these changes, reflecting that individuals often remain pleasant because they’ve never been challenged. Embracing new ways can be unsettling and perilous. The film parallels contemporary events, such as the BLM movement, COVID-19, and discussions about police funding. It underscores how the threat of freedom can sometimes lead to the emergence of authoritarian tendencies. In Pleasantville, there were no police, yet the unfolding transformations reveal the complexities of freedom and conformity.
Navigating the Values of Tomorrow: Lessons from Pleasantville
Conclusion: “Pleasantville” invites us to reevaluate our past and reflect on our present reality. While the world today presents its own set of challenges, we find ourselves at a crossroads of moral and cultural transformation. Our values are evolving, and we must decide which path to follow. Do we seek more solutions, greater opportunities, and enhanced freedom, or do we embrace a new set of values aligned with globalism and a one-world order?
I grew up in the ’80s, a time quite different from the idyllic world of “Pleasantville.” My home lacked a picket fence, and dinner wasn’t always served promptly at a quarter to six. Nonetheless, things seemed alright, despite my parents’ divorce, echoing the family dynamics of David and Jennifer’s mother quibbling with her ex-husband.
The essential question remains: What values do you wish to impart to your children? Do we uphold the values passed down by our founding fathers, emphasizing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property)? Or do we opt for a government that provides for us, offering equal outcomes, justice, and compassion?
“Pleasantville” reminds us that our choices today shape the world of tomorrow, urging us to consider the values that will guide us into an uncertain future.