Boycott Tarantino

By Ed Hoffman

As listeners of my radio program know, I’m a dedicated movie buff. While other radio hosts begin their shows with a signature song, I start mine with an audio clip from a feature film; I personally select each one, and it is always applicable to something we’ll be discussing on that week’s show. While other people are glued to the World Series or college football all weekend, I’m going to see the latest releases. Now that I’ve painted the picture, imagine my dismay as a movie fan when one of the most celebrated directors of our time stands at a podium, and before an audience of thousands at an event called “Rise up October to Stop Police Terror,” publicly declares police officers to be murderers.

Yes, Quentin Tarantino plans to apologize for his comments (by the time you read this, he may have already done so). But here’s the thing: It’s going to be hard to convince people of his remorse when he just made these comments one week ago. That’s hardly enough time to change his perspective. However, it’s plenty of time for him to retract his comments because of the backlash – and that’s exactly what Tarantino is about to do. And no, he isn’t doing it because he’s contrite; he’s doing it because he’s receiving backlash from the high profile police organizations that people like him take for granted.

This includes the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) of New York City, which called Tarantino a “purveyor of degeneracy” because of the violent nature of his films. Furthermore, the 50,000+ member union said that “it’s time” to boycott Tarantino’s movies. Police organizations in Los Angeles, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Houston have joined the PBA in the movement to boycott the director – and finally, the Virginia-based National Association of Police Organizations said that Tarantino’s language was “utterly irresponsible, particularly at a time when the nation is seeing increasing and persistent calls for the killing of officers.” In fact, that group also asked officers not to take special assignments or off-duty jobs that are linked to Tarantino projects. If that isn’t backlash, I don’t know what is.

Of course, this isn’t coming at a time when Tarantino has nothing going on; naturally, he has a movie to promote. His movie “The Hateful Eight” will most likely be released on Christmas Day. Gee, could that be why he flew from California to New York for this rally in the first place – to strategically insert himself back in the news? Every Tarantino movie is more violent than the last, and with every new film, vocal protestors become more and more organized. Tarantino knew what he was doing; he just didn’t expect the backlash to be this severe. But why should we be surprised? Hollywood consistently underestimates the intellect, awareness and organization of average Americans – most recently, police officers and their supporters.

So yes, I’m boycotting Quentin Tarantino films. Movies may be my hobby, but my principles are far more valuable. And in case you’re wondering, I’m adding Tarantino supporter Jamie Foxx to the boycott list. Will you join me?

Ed Hoffman is host of The Main Event on AM590, which airs Saturday 9:30 AM- 10:30 AM and Sunday 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM. Follow him on Twitter @EdHoffman, and like him on Facebook by searching The Main Event 590.