Rev Jesse Jackson Talks Games And Violence

26 Mar 2009 at 17:00:36 by Andy Alderson

The Reverend Jesse Jackson has spoken to British politicians about the influence of violent video games on children.

Speaking to Britain’s Home Affairs Committee about violent crime, Rev Jackson suggested that issues such as domestic violence may be more likely to encourage violent behaviour than games.

When the chairman of the committee, Keith Vaz MP, asked Rev. Jackson whether he accepts “that there is a link between violent video games and individuals who perpetrate violence”, Rev Jackson responded by asking Mr Vaz “is art imitating life, or is life reflecting art?

“What we do know in these troubled times is that as people lose their jobs, their homes and children are facing these tremendous debt-loans to go to school, there is an increase in domestic violence in the home,“ said Rev Jackson.

“They’re more likely to imitate parents fighting physically. Domestic violence is maybe even a bigger factor on violent behaviour than the movies and the games that are played.”

However, Rev Jackson went on to suggest that violent games ought to be “challenged.”

“We urge artists not to use their considerable skills to desensitise people to violence and we’re sure that these games that think killing is a game must be challenged.”

You can watch a video of the meeting here.

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