Staff Reports
In our modern culture wars, it seems that even the most mundane of desires—like craving a simple cigarette—can be turned into poetic fodder for those who see the world through the haze of political correctness. Recently, a questionable piece of poetry was broadcast, extolling the virtues of a dying man’s last wish for a cigarette. This piece, filled with flowery language, attempts to wrap a mundane act in layers of self-indulgent metaphors about ancestors and personal nostalgia. Is this what passes for art these days?
It’s quite humorous to witness such a laughable attempt at elevating a common addiction into some sort of spiritual journey. This is not about genuine creativity or emotion; it’s about crafting a narrative that fits a certain progressive agenda. They want to dress up addiction and personal failure as soulful expressions of individuality—and we’re supposed to applaud? No, thanks. It is this sort of pretense that conservatives find highly insincere and problematic.
The problem here is not just with the content but with the way society seems to cheerlead these superficial narratives. Real art comes from genuine human experience and struggle, not from a desire to construct a politically acceptable story that fits the current cultural mold. The so-called poem does more to highlight our culture’s increasing disconnect from reality than to communicate any meaningful sentiment. What kind of society are we fostering when addiction is draped in robes of beauty and respect?
There’s no denying the power of true poetry and genuine artistic expression. But let’s leave that to those who endeavor to reflect true personal struggle and triumph. Instead, we’re forced to endure this kind of trivialized artistic expression, serving up nothing more than a smokescreen to distract us from the real issues. The struggle with addiction is a serious concern, and trivializing it as a noble choice or spiritual act is not the approach we should take.
Conservatives strongly urge society to step back and reconsider what we choose to uplift and celebrate. Our culture should not reward insincerity dressed as art. True art can inspire a nation and help build a stronger community of individuals who believe in genuine values. It’s about time we set our sights on that path, instead of getting lost in a cloud of pretentious smoke.
