Staff Reports
It seems like Netflix has found itself in another controversy, something not all that surprising these days. The streaming giant has decided to showcase a series featuring a transgender lead character. The series, called “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” seems to be causing a stir amongst some subscribers, with even Elon Musk himself sharing his dismay over what he describes as “transgender propaganda” being pushed onto users. Parents like Joe Concha and Carley Shimkus are scratching their heads, wondering why Netflix is determined to alienate a good chunk of their audience.
Now, it’s certainly a bold choice for Netflix to take this route, especially when their subscriber numbers are like those of a plunging rollercoaster. You can’t help but wonder if this is a strategic move to rope in a different demographic, or if it’s just a misguided attempt at social advocacy. Either way, a lot of parents are saying they’d rather cancel their subscriptions than have their youngsters exposed to such topics. After all, teaching kids about complex issues related to identity and sexuality should perhaps be a family affair, rather than something taught via animated characters facing ghosts and ghouls.
The creator of the series seems to be handling the backlash with a sense of humor, although some of the correspondence received has apparently been less than friendly. They’ve reported getting nasty emails filled with homophobia and, oddly, antisemitism. It brings up an interesting question: when did animated series with talking animals and colorful sceneries become the battlefront for social issues? Shouldn’t cartoons be about giggling at clumsy antics and singing along to catchy tunes rather than navigating the turbulent waters of identity politics?
The inevitable backlash isn’t just about one show, though. It seems to be symptomatic of a larger frustration with media in general. A recent Gallup poll suggests that trust in media is at a dismal 28%. This isn’t surprising to most, unless you count those still watching the news through rose-colored glasses bought from aisle Democrat. It seems that if it isn’t a tale of woe for the right, it’s a yarn of triumph for the left. The common cry is for a return to journalists like Cronkite and Walters, who aimed to present the facts without the frills of personal opinions.
As the dust settles, Netflix continues to keep the 20-episode series available for anyone who doesn’t mind a side of activism with their entertainment. However, it’s clear that more and more viewers are yearning for the simpler days where the most complex issue in a cartoon plot was whether Tom would catch Jerry. Here’s hoping for a day when networks find a way to entertain without turning every children’s show into a moral of the week spectacle. Until then, maybe it’s time to dust off those old Looney Tunes DVDs.
