BY SIMONE J. SMITH
Fans are already analyzing every frame of the newly released “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” trailer. The footage for the film has some details that for some are worth dissecting. One such detail that fans have become drawn to includes a trans flag that was spotted in Spider-Man character Gwen Stacy’s bedroom.
In the second trailer released for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” a “Protect trans-kids” flag is shown in the bedroom of a character known as Gwen Stacy.
Concerned fans found this red flag in the film’s second trailer, which was released on April 4th, 2023.
The message here is clear and some fans are happy about it. Of course, there are other Spider-Man fans that believe the trans flag’s inclusion is nothing more than propaganda. It is understandable that some parents may feel uncomfortable, and/or upset by their children being exposed to LGBTQ visibility in media or education.
There are those who believe that promoting LGBTQ visibility and acceptance is not propaganda, but rather a matter of equal rights and representation.
Let’s do a quick review of what propaganda is, and then we will return to the story at hand.
Propaganda is a form of communication that is used to influence people’s opinions, beliefs, and actions. It is often used by governments, organizations (Sony Animation) and individuals to promote a particular agenda or point of view. The media is one of the most common channels for the dissemination of propaganda.
One form of propaganda is repetition: repetition is a technique of propaganda that involves repeating a particular message or slogan over and over again in order to reinforce it in people’s minds. This can be used to create a sense of urgency or to make a particular message seem more credible. For example, a movie showing a particular slogan, such as “Protect trans-kids” in order to create a sense of unity and support among its supporters. Alone, this slogan is harmless, but compiled with all of the LGBTQ information being filtered through the media, it becomes part of the repeating message.
Some people believe that Sony Animation is pandering the LGBTQ agenda. Is Sony unaware of Disney Pixar’s recent failures with Lightyear and Strange World at the box office?
It is reported that these animated films pushed the transgender ideology towards families going to theatres and apparently met the same result: BOTH FILMS WERE GIGANTIC EXPENSIVE FLOPS.
It is important for parents to teach their children about media consumption. With the increasing availability of digital media and technology, children are being exposed to various types of content at a younger age than ever before. Parents play a crucial role in guiding their children’s media use and helping them develop healthy habits.
Children may stumble upon inappropriate content such as violence, pornography, or hate speech while browsing the internet, or watching movies. Parents can help their children avoid such content by setting age-appropriate restrictions and monitoring their online activities.
Parents can also help their children develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate the credibility of the information they find online. This includes identifying fake news and propaganda, understanding biases, and questioning sources.
Studies continue to show that excessive screen time and social media use can negatively impact children’s physical and mental health. Parents can teach their children to balance their screen time with other activities, such as exercise and socializing. By setting limits, teaching media literacy skills, promoting healthy habits, and fostering positive behavior, parents can help lessen the influence of media on our young minds.
