I guess I should begin this post by saying that I have experimented in my life - with same sex relationships. They didn't work out for me, but that isn't to say that it doesn't work out for many others. I know that the debates and political issues with same-sex marriage are complicated and biased (to say the least). But, I still can't understand the issues and the problems with a man marrying another man, or a woman marrying another woman. How could anyone outside of their relationship think it is any of their business?
I understand that some people are offended because of the religious aspects of the controversy, however, I thought America was founded based on the freedom of religion. Therefore, giving any American the right to choose their religious boundaries. I am a Christian, and it seemed impossible for me to imagine Jesus condemning them for being in love. Especially when today there are far worse things to be concerned with... scarier/life-threatening things.
Maybe this is one of the many reasons why so many countries are surpassing us in business and education matters. We are too focused on other Americans being just like us (cookie-cutter-America) that we can't just work together and unite as a people.
I think that many of the people protesting the matter and the politicians keeping the bills/laws from passing, are afraid of something different - afraid of change. But change happens, time passes and people progress, so, why is it getting so hard to accept?
I rambling now... starting to drift from the subject...
On top of all of those other things, I still firmly hold to the fact (and state openly when someone confronts me), that is no one's freaking business who another person marries.
It just isn't.
Why America is obsessed with being in everyone's faces about their relations... I will never know.
P.S. I love Ellen DeGeneres. (that was really irrelevant... but I was thinking about her as I wrote this, so I felt she needed to be mentioned...) :)
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Latino History in Hollywoods Clutches
As an aspiring actress, I was very interested to really see the 'typecasting' and 'stereotyping' I was always warned about. The ever-feared character staple is still present today for all actors; like Jennifer Aniston as Rachel from Friends (or any other romantic-comedy leading lady) and for Jason Bateman (being the super neurotic voice of reason in a comedy set movie).
However these are just some examples, and they are not based on the person's actual demeanor in real life. In the past, especially from 20's to 50's we completely stereotyped the latin actors as only being able to play 'greasers', 'latin lovers', or 'maids'. And sadly, if we were not putting them in those roles... then we were changing their looks to make them more 'anglo-looking' and then put them in leading roles.
Rita Moreno had a very inspiring story when she boldly gave her roles everything she had, and after winning the Academy award for West Side Story she refused to stoop down and take a role that was demeaning or in any way dealing with her race in a negative aspect.
More recently, movies like 'Machete' point out the racial unfairness in Texas (and other border states). It is a farcical - action movie, but has its serious points made with in the absurd madness and gory fight scenes. Robert Rodriguez directed the film and is another person talked about in the video in class yesterday. He grew up with a video camera in his hand (just like Spielberg) and knew what he wanted to do with his career - and he fought and worked hard to get it.
It is sad to me, that many of the actors out there are fighting to be seen and heard... But that, in the past, people were specifically silenced or ignored entirely because of their cultural/racial origin. I do believe we are making great strides toward leaving all racial/gender/religious prejudice behind us for good ... but, with the copious amounts of corruption in Hollywood and Cinema - it may be a while before we sift through the garbage.
However these are just some examples, and they are not based on the person's actual demeanor in real life. In the past, especially from 20's to 50's we completely stereotyped the latin actors as only being able to play 'greasers', 'latin lovers', or 'maids'. And sadly, if we were not putting them in those roles... then we were changing their looks to make them more 'anglo-looking' and then put them in leading roles.
Rita Moreno had a very inspiring story when she boldly gave her roles everything she had, and after winning the Academy award for West Side Story she refused to stoop down and take a role that was demeaning or in any way dealing with her race in a negative aspect.
More recently, movies like 'Machete' point out the racial unfairness in Texas (and other border states). It is a farcical - action movie, but has its serious points made with in the absurd madness and gory fight scenes. Robert Rodriguez directed the film and is another person talked about in the video in class yesterday. He grew up with a video camera in his hand (just like Spielberg) and knew what he wanted to do with his career - and he fought and worked hard to get it.
It is sad to me, that many of the actors out there are fighting to be seen and heard... But that, in the past, people were specifically silenced or ignored entirely because of their cultural/racial origin. I do believe we are making great strides toward leaving all racial/gender/religious prejudice behind us for good ... but, with the copious amounts of corruption in Hollywood and Cinema - it may be a while before we sift through the garbage.
Friday, July 22, 2011
"The Other" Discussion
The article mentioned in class brought about a really big discussion about the prejudice and mistreatment of certain races and genders in the media. I was really surprised by the amount of gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual issues in television and movies.
It was interesting to see that many men are shown as sissy and very submissive and non-sexual... but I think many women are shown as overly-masculine or overly-sexual in order to conform to a certain demand that television gives them.
Many TV shows and movies have certain stereotypes in order to fill a void or a space in a script or purposeful message.
It was interesting to see that many men are shown as sissy and very submissive and non-sexual... but I think many women are shown as overly-masculine or overly-sexual in order to conform to a certain demand that television gives them.
Many TV shows and movies have certain stereotypes in order to fill a void or a space in a script or purposeful message.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Soldiers without Swords Video Day
I was really moved by the video, but was more moved (shocked) by my classmates that were unaware of the hardships and history of the time period. Movies and medias definitely taught me a lot of the detailed history .... but how could the schools not be accountable for some of that, too?
It is scary to me that even now, schools 'forget' to include that in the lesson plans of our junior and high schools... to be unaware of the history of the african-american history until you are well into college is scary. (and really says something about our cultural teachings and learning..)
It is scary to me that even now, schools 'forget' to include that in the lesson plans of our junior and high schools... to be unaware of the history of the african-american history until you are well into college is scary. (and really says something about our cultural teachings and learning..)
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Movie Buff on Racial Issues in movies
After watching today's video on the many racial stereotypes in movies throughout the years, I was surprised to see some very recognizable and popular movies as examples. I had never thought about these movies being racially hurtful and slandering cultures. I guess, this is mainly because when I watch movies - I am being taken into a world that has nothing to do with ours. Movies take me away from the reality that is our lives.
Taken out the context that is the present, so many things in movies are left completely to imagination and have no more depth and truth than a book. Some books could have the same racial issues and hardships and people would never know (mostly because reading books has become less and less of a hobby for our current cultural world).
I do beleive that some of the cartoons and movies and shows from the past (the 20's through the early 70's) had some very questionable and troubling stereotypes. These situations, however, would never happen today in such a commonly accepted way. Many movies do push the bar, however, and it is most always to prove a point and make a message clear and really hit home to as many people as possible. And if you think about it, isn't that beneficial to us?
I'm not saying that racial slurs and slander and religious jokes are okay for everyone else. That is very obviously not true... But, sometimes a great piece of art has to get right up to the line and show people what it means and what it does to others. Some don't take see what their actions do to others, and movies let them see all sides to the story.
Again, I am a defender of film. I want to work in all aspects... acting, writing, producing, etc... So i choose to believe that there is a good side to it.
Taken out the context that is the present, so many things in movies are left completely to imagination and have no more depth and truth than a book. Some books could have the same racial issues and hardships and people would never know (mostly because reading books has become less and less of a hobby for our current cultural world).
I do beleive that some of the cartoons and movies and shows from the past (the 20's through the early 70's) had some very questionable and troubling stereotypes. These situations, however, would never happen today in such a commonly accepted way. Many movies do push the bar, however, and it is most always to prove a point and make a message clear and really hit home to as many people as possible. And if you think about it, isn't that beneficial to us?
I'm not saying that racial slurs and slander and religious jokes are okay for everyone else. That is very obviously not true... But, sometimes a great piece of art has to get right up to the line and show people what it means and what it does to others. Some don't take see what their actions do to others, and movies let them see all sides to the story.
Again, I am a defender of film. I want to work in all aspects... acting, writing, producing, etc... So i choose to believe that there is a good side to it.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Dirk vs. Lebron
Although I am biased to the Mavs team standings, I still believe the photo to be non-racial. I do not disagree that it could draw a question for some people. There is just far too much history between the players and previous issues in their personal lives that truly explain the meaning of the photo... for these reasons it would be difficult to base the photo on race alone.
I still understand the idea, that for people not following basketball/sports or pop culture, this picture could be somewhat offensive and questionable. On the other hand, if a person isn't interested in sports, I can't imagine that many of those people would look on the sports page for anything other than more sports info... therefore, it could be assumed that they would understand the photo's true context upon sight.
These kind of photos are somewhat hard to defend and truly analyze, however, and I wonder (like many in the class did) how many people said this was completely okay to print. On top of that, I wonder how they came to that conclusion... on their own? in a focus group? were men/women of all ethnicities involved and okay with the photo?
Can't say I wouldn't have liked to be present in that discussion.
There is definitely something to be learned from the media and it's reasonings.
I still understand the idea, that for people not following basketball/sports or pop culture, this picture could be somewhat offensive and questionable. On the other hand, if a person isn't interested in sports, I can't imagine that many of those people would look on the sports page for anything other than more sports info... therefore, it could be assumed that they would understand the photo's true context upon sight.
These kind of photos are somewhat hard to defend and truly analyze, however, and I wonder (like many in the class did) how many people said this was completely okay to print. On top of that, I wonder how they came to that conclusion... on their own? in a focus group? were men/women of all ethnicities involved and okay with the photo?
Can't say I wouldn't have liked to be present in that discussion.
There is definitely something to be learned from the media and it's reasonings.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)