Bowling for Global Harmony: Movie Analysis

When I first decided to pursue a degree in Public Relations, the first question I was asked by friends and family was “what will you do with that?” My flippant stand by answer was that I’d relate publicly. Disturbingly, that satisfied most queries. If pressed further, I would reply, “I’m going to change the world”. Following the guffaws and chortles, there are a few who would say, “Tell me more.” These are the people who could comprehend the answer.

In viewing “Bowling for Columbine” for the third time, I’ve been able to begin to grasp why this film has affected my emotional comfort the way it has. On the first viewing, I walked out of class, angrily wondering what the hell it had to do with intercultural communication and why did it choke me up. I stopped by my local video rental store on the way home and thought I’d handle it better in the safety of my own living room. Due to unknowing visitors and my own hesitancy to delve too deeply into the American fallacies depicted in the film, I still had no answers to my uneasiness. Tonight, it was back to the neighborhood Movie Gallery, where last week there were ten to fifteen copies available and I got the last one, tonight there are two available and none rented out. I went to the apartment of the closest thing I have to a significant other, and with notebook and pen in hand, I set out to find answers or find another subject to write this paper on.

What is Michael Moore trying to say in “Bowling for Columbine”? That guns are bad? That Michigan is responsible for Oklahoma City, 9/11, and Columbine? That Charlton Heston is obstinate? That the United States Government has run amok and is responsible for not only tens of thousands of domestic deaths, but hundreds of thousands of deaths internationally? That bowling causes homicide?

Moore addresses so many issues in “Bowling”! That is what choked me up each time I’ve watched it! I fell apart due to an overwhelming feeling of not only helplessness, but also of hopelessness. Has our country gotten so far out of control that it’s too late to fix what’s broken? Can one man effect a positive change in this dismal place in time?

In my initial opinion, Moore is trying to say yes; guns are bad, when used in a capacity other than what, as Mr. Heston called them, “those wise, dead, white guys” intended when writing the Second Amendment to the Constitution. You do not need a 30 round clip of ammo to kill a deer for sustenance or to protect your family. Moore doesn’t go as far as to say the U.S Government has run amok, but does point out what should be on the front page of every newspaper, every day; the references to the United States’ murder by firearm numbers and the disturbing subtitles of the film clips leading up to the Clinton announcements of Kosovo and the Columbine tragedy. These images should evoke emotions of fear and disgust while Satchmo sings “What a Wonderful World”. I sobbed. The film goes on to suggest that the media is partially to blame because they choose to emphasize the sensationalistic sides of the news. Sadly, this is a direct reflection of what we, as Americans, beg for and respond to.

So, what does this have to do with Intercultural Communications and my degree in Public Relations? Everything! When I tell people I’m going to change the world with my degree, I can only hope to be as effective in communicating what’s wrong with our United States as Moore is in “Bowling for Columbine”. Critics be damned, I also hope to go on to offer solutions through honest dialogue amongst not only my allies, but my political foes as well.

As Moore points out at www.michaelmoore.com/words/wackoattacko, “most Americans want stronger gun laws and the gun lobbies know it. That’s why it’s critical to distract and alter the debate – and go after anyone who questions why we have so many gun deaths in America (especially if he does it in best selling books and popular films).” Concise and honest communication, in my opinion, is the only way global harmony can be achieved. However, this endeavor must begin at home. Moore reminds us, “If they (NRA) could have shut this film down on a technicality they would have. But they didn’t and they can’t, because the film is factually solid and above reproach.” He goes on to say, “In fact, we have not been sued by any individual or group over the statements made in “Bowling for Columbine”, because everything we say is true.”

I believe the impact that “Bowling” had on me is testimony to what can be accomplished world wide by simply communicating the facts.