Talking Big Love: Part Two
We gathered a few people together to see what they thought of the premiere episode of HBO's new series "Big Love." The edited comments below are excerpted from a panel comprised of activists who want the state to take a harder line against polygamy, and ex-members of several polygamous groups.
The second episode of "Big Love" airs tonight.
On "Big Love" vs reality
Andrea Moore-Emmett, author of God's Brothel: This is a series that is geared for the 18 to 35 year old male fantasy.
It's hilarious. The Mormon Church and the state of Utah are never going to get away from polygamy and that is what this was. The three are so intertwined. And I'm laughing, laughing because it is what they deserve. They haven't done anything about it and now they have a national television show that brings it home. Ha. ha.
Vicky Prunty, co-founder of Tapestry Against Polygamy who lived in two plural marriages : If [the nation] saw what really compels these individuals to go into polygamy, it would look that much worse. And it's the religion that is really the basis. They wouldn't be together if it weren't for that.
There is not an independent, beautiful, powerful woman out there who would share her husband with other women.
The unfortunate thing is this series may minimize the coercive effects of polygamy today.
Some of the gestures and looks are accurate. It reminded me of [one of her former husbands.]. We were all getting out of the car together and he was watching us and it reminded us of a rooster. Just the look in his eyes. We were kind of sickened by it. We knew what he was doing and what he was thinking, "This is my brood here, my harem."
Joni Holm, whose husband Carl is an ex-member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: I don't think everybody will catch the young bride. We knew exactly what that was supposed to be representing. Showing her with power is not factual. The women don't have that kind of power.
Ronald Tucker, a former member of the Kingston group and son of leader John Ortell Kingston: I've seen that happen. A young girl will be asked by the leader and she thinks she is going to have that position of power and influence. He pays a lot of attention at first and then she is stuck with no financial help, raising kids. And she is pushed off to the side.
John Llewellyn, a former member of the Apostolic United Brethren and author of the critique Polygamy Under Attack: I know polygamous families where the men and the women really try to live it right, by the book, they really give it a good try.
The women in general really try to live it. It is the men who are the more corrupt, and it's because of this Y chromosome. Face it. I have noticed that where most of the corruption and where most of the physical abuse takes place is in the hierarchy.
These folks aren't the typical polygamists. They are a bit too affluent and too worldly. But other than that, they hit on the problems a family would be confronted with.
The second episode of "Big Love" airs tonight.
On "Big Love" vs reality
Andrea Moore-Emmett, author of God's Brothel: This is a series that is geared for the 18 to 35 year old male fantasy.
It's hilarious. The Mormon Church and the state of Utah are never going to get away from polygamy and that is what this was. The three are so intertwined. And I'm laughing, laughing because it is what they deserve. They haven't done anything about it and now they have a national television show that brings it home. Ha. ha.
Vicky Prunty, co-founder of Tapestry Against Polygamy who lived in two plural marriages : If [the nation] saw what really compels these individuals to go into polygamy, it would look that much worse. And it's the religion that is really the basis. They wouldn't be together if it weren't for that.
There is not an independent, beautiful, powerful woman out there who would share her husband with other women.
The unfortunate thing is this series may minimize the coercive effects of polygamy today.
Some of the gestures and looks are accurate. It reminded me of [one of her former husbands.]. We were all getting out of the car together and he was watching us and it reminded us of a rooster. Just the look in his eyes. We were kind of sickened by it. We knew what he was doing and what he was thinking, "This is my brood here, my harem."
Joni Holm, whose husband Carl is an ex-member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: I don't think everybody will catch the young bride. We knew exactly what that was supposed to be representing. Showing her with power is not factual. The women don't have that kind of power.
Ronald Tucker, a former member of the Kingston group and son of leader John Ortell Kingston: I've seen that happen. A young girl will be asked by the leader and she thinks she is going to have that position of power and influence. He pays a lot of attention at first and then she is stuck with no financial help, raising kids. And she is pushed off to the side.
John Llewellyn, a former member of the Apostolic United Brethren and author of the critique Polygamy Under Attack: I know polygamous families where the men and the women really try to live it right, by the book, they really give it a good try.
The women in general really try to live it. It is the men who are the more corrupt, and it's because of this Y chromosome. Face it. I have noticed that where most of the corruption and where most of the physical abuse takes place is in the hierarchy.
These folks aren't the typical polygamists. They are a bit too affluent and too worldly. But other than that, they hit on the problems a family would be confronted with.
1 Comments:
I am a 21 married member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel that "Big Love" is just like any other TV show out there, based very loosely on facts. The LDS Church began the practice of polygamy to take care of the widowed women, whose husbands had been killed during their religious persecution. It wasn't a wife free for all. Only a select few were asked to do so. I feel that Big Love is fine. We all have our free agency. What bothers me is that the world already has a skewed view of the LDS religion and with Big Love; the wrong impression is once again being presented to the masses. I would love to see a special on 60 Minutes or 20/20 about the truth about the LDS Church’s stance on polygamy, real polygamist families and the true effect is has on the women in them. Thank You, Elsea Cheatwood
Post a Comment
<< Home