Six months before the popular Fifty Shades of Grey hit bookstores was the release of a 30 Seconds to Mars music video featuring BDSM themes for their song “Hurricane” in 2011.

From the album This Is War, Thirty Seconds To Mars’ video “Hurricane” premiered on MTV on November. 29th, 2010. It was banned by several networks on the grounds of nudity, sex, and violence. Lead singer, Jared Leto pointed out that there was more concern over the nudity and sex than the violence. The band decided to screen the uncut version of the video on May 10th, 2011 at NYC’s Museum of Sex. This was because of the museum’s opinion that sex should be shown honestly.

A consistant remark from Jared Leto has been that most of the controversy surrounds the sexuality; meanwhile, the short film is as violent as it is sexual. Over the years, many performers have spoken out about this same hypocrisy in their own careers. Still, it continues to be a problem. Many famous photographers are recognized for their disturbing images of war, meant to inspire help from more developed countries, yet photographers who choose sexual images are frowned upon by most because it portrays the truth about sexuality.

“I’m not interested in provocation for provocation’s sake. I just think it’s interesting that when you turn on the news or whatever else catches your interest, how much violence and negativity is available out there. As soon as it comes time for sexuality, it’s a big shock that people are sexual beings. It’s an interesting double standard to me.” – Jared Leto

Entertainment Weekly

AR Torre wrote an article on this topic. As an author of erotic literature, she has found that the responses to her job title have been worse than when the subject of violence comes up. She explains that the discussion of rape is more easily accepted than discussions on consensual sex. She notes how most of us are raised to see sex as wrong. This negatively shapes our perception of honest adult conversations surrounding sexuality.

“Why is the topic of sex more uncomfortable than violence? Well, one might say indignantly, sex should be done in the privacy of one’s home, isn’t anyone’s business to discuss out in the open. Okay… but serial killing and rape are acceptable party conversations?” – AR Torre

Huffington Post

This will continue to be an issue until more people allow themselves to explore why the topic of sex is so difficult for them. As Torre points out, each person put off by discussion of sexuality probably has a slightly different reason for feeling this way. Keeping the conversation taboo leaves room for manipulation and continued control over society. When our nervousness over the topic gets to the point that we can’t speak freely with our significant others or kids about it, what will our society become? Do we want our partners unaware of our sexual needs and boundaries? Do we want our children to be so confused about sex and so afraid to ask their parents about it that they turn to entertainment to answer questions too complex for a music video to answer?

© 2023 social thoughts. Revised. Originally published by author on HubPages on September 9, 2018.