Why The Interview Movie Should Take a Lesson from Gandhi

I agree*** with the North Koreans’ outrage over the Sony The Interview movie. And I agree (and am happy) with Sony’s decision to yank the Christmas day release. Sounds strange? Sounds foolish? Sounds non-American, non-patriotic? Yes, probably. Let me explain.

I’m grateful to be born an American, enjoying the many freedoms, especially as a woman, that other countries’ citizenship may not afford. Communism may not be the American way, and there are some VERY despicable practices enforced by North Korea’s leadership (to name a few: food deprivation, executions and prison camps), but how can we effect change and inspire freedom in another country for the good by sending this kind of message?

Would I like to see North Koreans free of the oppressive regime? YES! Does the country’s nuclear capabilities alarm me? YES! (As do ours, Russia’s, China’s, India’s, etc) Do I shudder at the hard labor prison camps? Yes. But, that doesn’t give me or Sony or America or anyone the right to make a movie about assassinating someone, namely the supreme leader of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-un.

Knocking off a major political leader is not a joking matter—even if it’s just a silly comedy. To me, this is hate speech, only encouraging more hate, violence and retaliation. It’s the opposite of Gandhi’s words of wisdom, “Be the change you wish to see.”

In many parts of the world, America still has the esteemed reputation it did in the days of WWII. But, more and more, through my travels, I’ve noticed the attitude towards America shift: from celebration to contempt. Is it possible we need to take a cue from our Puritanical roots and “Do Unto Others as We Would Have Done to Us”?

Here’s the million dollar question I’d like to pose that no one (not George Clooney, not the President, not the U.S. media) is asking: No matter your opinion of Obama, what if another country made a movie about killing a U.S. President?

Would we be applauding it for its ‘freedom of expression’ and ‘freedom from fear’, as I’ve heard others say in context of why they disagree with Sony pulling The Interview movie release?

I would bet the answer would be NO! We wouldn’t stand for a movie like that and would see it as a threat as well.

Sony would not be in this mess—plus, causing potential harm to American citizens and further muddying America’s reputation on the global scene—if they would have just followed The Dalai Lama’s 3 Rs:

Respect for self – Confidence is key in success and one who does you respect himself does not believe in himself. Thus, if you do not respect yourself, you cannot possibly succeed in anything great, nor can you respect others.

Respect for others – And you will be respected in return. Anyone who does not return that respect is immediately letting you know that they are not worth your time, and that they do not respect themselves.

Responsibility for all your actions – You alone are responsible for your feelings, actions, success, etc. You are in complete control of your life, so do not try and blame other people for your mistakes or misfortunes.

These 3 Rs are what I try to live by when I travel – even if a culture is extremely different than mine.

And in protest of a movie that won’t help improve the lives of North Koreans in the big scheme of things (watch this moving speech by a young woman who escaped North Korea about the horrible living conditions), if it does get released, I will not watch “The Interview”.

To effect real change for the people of North Korean, here are some organizations and causes that are worthy of supporting:

Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
This group of foreign policy and human rights specialists promotes human rights in North Korea, with a focus on closing forced labor prison camps, supporting North Korean women trafficked in China, and fostering a code of conduct for companies invested there.

Durihana
Based in South Korea, this Christian organization aids North Korean defectors and helps them settle in a safe place. Founder Pastor Chun Ki-won was arrested in 2002 by Chinese police on the Mongolian escape route he pioneered, helping to raise awareness about the plight of defectors.

Life Funds for North Korean Refugees
This Japanese group staffs shelters along the China-North Korea border and supplies defectors with rice and clothing. It also operates an education sponsorship program for abandoned children whose North Korean mothers were repatriated.

LiNK (Liberty in North Korea)
LiNK is a U.S. and Seoul-based non-profit that raises awareness about the human rights and humanitarian crisis in North Korea through the use of media and grassroots support. It helps refugees by sheltering them, advocating for them, and helping them resettle in countries.

North Korea Freedom Coalition
This coalition of 60 organizations hosts the annual North Korea Freedom Week. It was the driving force for the 2004 North Korea Human Rights Act, and works to ensure it is fully implemented. Private members also provide humanitarian relief inside North Korea and China.

 

It’s a costly lesson for Sony and devastating to the many people affected (including U.S. and North Korea relations), but a worthy one for all of us to learn from: humanity must reign supreme in our decisions. The alternative is a scary thought: a planet full of humans without an ounce of humanity.

I’d like to hear what your thoughts are about “The Interview” movie? Do you think it should have been pulled? Why or why not? What are your impressions about North Korea? Ever encountered a culture that offended you or frightened you? How did you handle it?

***I don’t condone the hacking retaliation or threats of violence/nuclear attacks.