Save Us From Saviors

There are many things the anti-smut crusaders can do to help the youth whom they so passionately want to save. They can work on improving the educational system so young people will have the sense not to patronize bad movies. They can teach sex education in schools so that moviemakers will not leap in to fill the void. They can work on alleviating poverty so that parents will have the time and energy to teach values to their children, and to actually see their children. They can set examples for their children to emulate, instead of turning over the responsibility to movie stars. These require more time and commitment than holding a placard and making speeches for the TV cameras.

If the self-anointed saviors insist upon saving me, then save me from self-righteous hypocrites and opportunists. Save me from filthy minds and liberate me from those who declare that sex is evil. Stop invoking my welfare to promote your own agendas. And save me from those who would call me immoral simply because I disagree with them. Surely there is some way my aspiring saviors can save me without insulting my intelligence.

Zafra is a columnist and radio/TV talk-show host in Manila.

© 1999