A recent trend seems to be boycotting something simply because the source’s or owner’s political opinion isn’t in sync with that of the majority. Companies like Chic-Fil-A and Nabisco have come under scrutiny from the public because of the companies’ owners positions on gay rights. There is even a rather significant web presence calling for the boycott of Summit Entertainment’s “Ender’s Game.”
The film is based on the 1985 novel by Orson Scott Card, who has been rather vocal about his political opinion in interviews and on his website. This is having an effect similar to the brief boycott of Chic-Fil-A during 2012 when it was made public the corporate owner donated money to anti-gay rights organizations. Why is this happening?
Despite my disagreement with some of Card’s more vocal political beliefs, I am a huge fan of his book. I’ve read “Ender’s Game” hundreds of times and am more excited than anyone I know for the release of a film adaptation. I still eat at Chic-Fil-A (it’s the sauce …definitely the sauce), because the product has been influenced very little by its source.
Card doesn’t have the same kind of deal Stephenie Meyer or J.K. Rowling had with their movie series. His deal was made over 10 years ago, and he doesn’t get a percentage of the film’s profits. Opponents of Card’s who really want to stick it to him should fill out the theaters, watch the numbers and see all the money he isn’t getting.
There are so many people involved with projects and companies like these. Denying financial compensation to hundreds of hardworking individuals who produced a phenomenal product –be it epic sci-fi or a chicken sandwich –simply because a figurehead loudly says something you don’t like is an idiotic notion.
Moreover, in the case of “Ender’s Game,” Card’s political or religious beliefs are not prominent in the plot. The type of conspiracy a fanatic would concoct connecting the author’s personal experience with this particualr piece of fiction he created requires a tinfoil hat.
Let’s not boycott “Ender’s Game” or the next movie, corporation, book, song or video game just because of an ideological disagreement. If you think “Ender’s Game” is full of anti-gay rights messages, keep quiet and let people who were burdened with a larger abundance of education choose on their own.
andy • Nov 2, 2013 at 10:23 am
Granted Card’s deal isn’t like that of the mentioned author for profits on the movie. However the release of the movie has driven sales of the novel which does line Card’s pockets.
If filling the coffers of bigots doesn’t bother you, fine. I’ll continue to vote with my dollars, the only vote that corporations care about. It’s unfortunate that the author’s “over-abundance” of education has failed to lift him beyond ad hominem attacks on his politically active audience.