In response to what he sees as a lack of conservative values in the media, former child star Ricky Schroder has launched an initiative to honor American values by focusing on the stories of those in the military, veterans, and their families.
Dubbed the Reel American Heroes Foundation (RAHF), the initiative aims to provide alternative stories to the prevailing narrative produced by the mainstream media. Besides acting, Mr. Schroder has also served behind the camera as a writer and director. He said RAHF will also strive to focus on the narratives and real-life accounts of first responders.
Reel American Heroes Foundation to Honor American Stories
“We’re a nonprofit whose mission is to tell stories, stories that entertain us, inspire us, and educate us about why America is a uniquely great nation,” the 53-year-old actor recently told The Christian Post. Mr. Schroder went on to explain that the United States is special because of its people and real American heroes from the past, present, and future “who embody the values and the principles which build this great nation.”Mr. Schroder also described the plan for his new initiative as building a sort of “Patriot PBS, an army of storytellers to counteract much of the negative program coming from Hollywood these days.” Never has there been a greater need for “a constructive vision for our collective futures,” he said.
“Storytelling is at the root of our shared history,” said Mr. Schroder. “I know together we can build a foundation that will inspire the world through storytelling.”
On its website, RAHF describes itself as “a non-profit foundation with a unique group of creatives with over 100 years of collective experience in writing, producing, directing films, documentaries, television series and public service announcements in efforts to strengthen our nation and better our communities nationwide.”
Working for a Safer Digital Environment
The foundation has also established the Council on Pornography Reform (CPR), which is committed to creating a safer and more responsible digital environment, particularly for younger people. The council aims to balance “freedom of choice and the protection of vulnerable populations, fostering a more informed and responsible digital society.”Mr. Schroder, who is best known for his role in the 1979 film “The Champ,” for which he won a Golden Globe Award, is also well known for his TV role in the 1980s sitcom “Silver Spoons.” He has also acted in “Scrubs,” “24,” and “Lonesome Dove.” Additionally, Mr. Schroder has worked to document the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, which led to “The Fighting Season,” a six-episode documentary he created and produced.
In the last few years, he has made the news for his outspoken political views and his stance concerning COVID-19, particularly his opposition to government mandates and vaccine policies.
More Hollywood Creatives Going Their Own Way With Content
Mr. Schroder’s creation of RAHF is another addition to the increasing number of Hollywood creatives developing alternative content to the predominantly left-leaning productions of Hollywood.In late 2022, child actress Candace Cameron Bure announced that after years with the Hallmark Channel, she was leaving the network for the Great American Family Channel. Bure cited her preference for the network’s values as the reason why. Last month, the streaming platform Great American Pure Flix released “My Christmas Hero,” which stars Bure and pays tribute to the military.
The Daily Wire also recently launched Bentkey, an app featuring children’s shows that seek to give parents an alternative to streaming services like Disney+, which Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing said, “pushes all the worst excesses of the woke Left.” Comedian Rob Schneider, who recently converted to Catholicism, lent his voice to Bentkey’s new animated series “Chip Chilla.”
