Army Pulls Recruiting Ads Featuring Jonathan Majors
The United States Army was forced to pull recruiting ads featuring actor Jonathan Majors after he was arrested last Saturday. The ads were part of a new campaign aimed at improving the Army’s struggling recruiting numbers. Army leaders believed the ads would appeal to the youth audience due to Majors’ popularity.
Army Avoids Loss of $70 Million Advertising Buy
Despite having to pull the ads, the Army was able to avoid any loss of the planned $70 million advertising buy by postponing or replacing ads. The Army is working to quickly pull together new recruiting ads to air during the NCAA’s Final Four basketball games this weekend. The Army is set to revive its “Be All You Can Be” slogan as part of the new ad campaign.
Majors Facing Charges of Domestic Violence
Majors is facing charges of strangulation, assault, and harassment after being involved in a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman in New York. His lawyer claims there is evidence clearing him and that he is provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows. The public response has been divided into two opposing camps, some blaming the alleged victim and others labeling Majors as guilty, regardless of the murky details of the case.
Intimate partner violence affects millions of people in the United States each year, according to the CDC. Psychologists say that many people don’t want to believe someone they admire could be capable of harm and may be more willing to accept evidence that supports their beliefs. Experts caution against painting Majors as the bad guy until further evidence emerges, especially because black men tend to face more swift consequences for alleged actions than their white counterparts.
Lawmakers Question Army Leaders
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill questioned Army leaders about the advertising issue and how the service intends to fix the recruiting problems. The Army had its worst recruiting year in recent history, falling 25% short of its goal to enlist 60,000 recruits last year. The Army has a number of new programs, including bonuses and referral initiatives, to try and meet enlistment standards.
Potential Double Standard in Hollywood Industry
All eyes will be on Majors’ existing Hollywood projects, including future Marvel films and the bodybuilding drama “Magazine Dreams.” Some have pointed out a potential double standard in the industry, where Majors lost an Army campaign while Ezra Miller, who has faced abuse allegations, is still slated to star in “The Flash.” Experts emphasize taking time to gather all the details and not judging people prematurely.
Online Reactions Need to be Considered Carefully
Online reactions to the case need to be considered carefully as they can further harm victims and survivors of domestic violence. Those with expertise in trauma and domestic violence note that when people choose to weigh in with opinions about the alleged abuser before expressing care for the alleged victim, it perpetuates harmful ideas about who is more important.
In conclusion, although Majors’ arrest affected the Army’s new ad campaign, it is necessary to wait until more details emerge before making any conclusions about his guilt or innocence. The Army is working diligently to rework their recruiting ads and reach their goals for enlistment numbers. It is imperative that we all take a step back and consider the bigger picture – ending domestic violence and supporting victims of such crimes.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
