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Conservative Screenwriter Takes a Stand

The following is an open letter from acclaimed writer Lionel Chetwynd on the news that Hollywood openly discriminates against Conservatives.

 

 

June 2, 2011

(AN OPEN LETTER)

Dennis Doty,

Chair

The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors

PO Box 11236

Burbank, CA 91510

 

Dear Dennis,

 

Herewith, I tender my resignation as both Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of The

Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors, and also my general membership. The

proximate cause are comments by our friend and Caucus leader Vin Di Bona; but the true

reason lies in how those comments make clear that views held dearly and passionately by

me, and my sense of the American story, render me unsuitable for continued

membership. So while this is not about our friend, the talented and decent Vin Di Bona,

it does begin at his side

 

 

Specifically, I refer to remarks attributed to Vin in the recent publication “Prime Time

Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How The Left Took Over Your TV” by Ben

Shapiro. I do not defend the book, having yet to read it; I address only the matters raised

by its research content.

 

In preparing his book, Mr. Shapiro interviewed a large number of our Hollywood

notables on the subject of diversity – not the sacrosanct mélange of race, religion, gender

orientation and the like, but a more challenging diversity: that of opinion and policy. The

vast majority felt quite comfortable endorsing discrimination against those whose

political philosophy was not rooted in the reflexive Leftism of Hollywood. Vin’s

contribution, when asked to address this alleged anti-conservative bias, was that it “ …

(is) probably accurate and I’m happy about it, actually. … If the accusation is there, I’m

okay with it”. In a subsequent statement, he endorsed the content of the quote, saying he

“stood by it”. He was not alone; indeed many of those interviewed held the opinion that

discriminating against conservatives was a simple virtue – i.e., one all could/should

accept. Vin’s comment was mild compared to some. Many called for wider efforts at

shutting out voices with which they happen to disagree. But, what if we substitute for

“conservative”, words like African-American, or Gay, or Jew, or Muslim, — or, God

forbid, Leftists, Communists, or Liberals?

 

While Mr. Shapiro’s revelations are appalling, and cause enough for any person such as

myself to choose to sever ties, it becomes mandatory when the comments made are later

affirmed rather than mitigated. (Vin and I have now spoken, and I reference that

conversation below.)

 

In my years as a member of the Caucus, I worked tirelessly to promote fidelity to our

First Amendment rights. You well know, for example, the Bipartisan Political Panels I

organized, my pieces for the Caucus Journal, and – now to my embarrassment – my

involvement in bringing to the Caucus such speakers as Eric Cantor, Tom Ridge, John

Thune and others. I knew most of my fellow members looked upon the political

positions of these people as distasteful; what I now understand is the disgust was not for

their views, but for their very person. Such people, Mr. Shapiro’s sources make clear,

must be silenced and it is therefore proper to make them suffer discrimination.

Shame on all of them. Their sickness is an infection that belongs in Europe of the 1930s.

It does not belong in America. It is especially evil that it be found in our community,

where America’s popular culture is born, where we create the images explaining who and

what America is to our fellow countrymen, and more, to the world. Next Monday will

mark 67 years since young Americans from across our country – and that includes

Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, all the “fly-overs” – willingly gave their lives on

Norman beaches to bring freedom to the subjugated peoples of Europe, people about

whom those brave young heroes knew little or nothing.

 

And is this how today’s beneficiaries use the freedom won by the blood and sacrifice of

men and women surely better than we?

 

Lest I seem like Claude Raines, I am not protesting, “shocked, shocked!” for I always

knew the truth; indeed, as I believe you’re aware, I experienced overt Blacklisting for my

views as a conservative – at the very hands of those who piously deplore the Blacklisting

of Communists in a former day. As 1950s Blacklist victim Carl Foreman warned me

when I told him I was moving to Hollywood: “Beware the fearless defenders of the safely

contentious.” He was right: Rhetoric is easy, principle is hard. Certainly, then, I have

always known and understood the Leftward prejudice of Hollywood. Yet, until now, I

have remained relatively passive and simply rolled with the blows. So what has

changed?

 

Three things:

 

– The first is personal: I realize, now, the enormous special obstacles put in my path

by my supposed colleagues, obstacles that over the years made earning a living or

a quiet pursuit of my trade so unusually onerous, were not a matter of political

difference; they were a declaration of my unworthiness to be one of them. The

rejection was not of my ideas, but of my person. The pain inflicted was

deliberate.

 

– The next is my immediate community: Until now, the Hollywood culture kept

mean-spirited and odious persecution carefully discussed out-of-earshot of we

lepers; now, however, there appears to be no problem in openly admitting to

cheap and easy prejudice. Few cancers are more lethal to a civil society than

ideological bigotry. And no one can spread disease better than our industry.

 

– The last, and by far, far, the most important, is our beloved America: This is a

time of inflamed political confrontation, evoking Bleeding Kansas of the 1850’s

or even the Civil War itself. And as Dante taught, “there is a special place

reserved in hell for he, who in the face of moral crisis, does nothing.” So if the

Hollywood Left has no compunction in publicly proclaiming its creed, then for

the sake of those Americans who have a different vision for our country, someone

must shout, “Stop! This is not what America’s about! The American people

deserve better!” In my own awkward way, I am trying to meet that challenge.

We, privileged to work in the entertainment industry and enjoy the bounty our chosen

career bestows on success, should never imagine ourselves the arbiters of what is

permissible in the public square. We do not own the dream factory, but are merely its

custodians, stewards at best. Rome won its empire at the edge of the sword. The British

built theirs with commerce, sending out grocers. But America? We dispatched

Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis and Elvis Presley, Writers, Producers, Directors, DPs,

all our talent. The jewel of our national patrimony – our popular culture – has been a

beacon to the world in spreading the message of freedom and tolerance. The success of

this enterprise when in the hands of prior generations makes the miserable failure of our

current crop to even listen to voices other than their own all the more painful

Since beginning this letter, I have had the opportunity to speak to Vin, and I assure you

both, I believe his distress at what has been said, his explanation of how the words came

to be spoken, and accepted his personal apology. But this issue now goes beyond my

personal trust, having migrated to the very nature of our community and its mainstream

organizations – amongst which The Caucus holds a particular pride-of-place. It is for

that very reason I no longer belong in your midst. I shall miss you all.

 

I wish you and all my former fellow members the rewards freedom, hard work, and

talent, enable.

 

With best wishes and great sincerity,

Lionel Chetwynd

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.