I have been watching a fascinating documentary called "The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975." It is a collection of previously unreleased footage filmed by a Swedish documentary crew decades ago, and it is partially narrated by modern-day African American philosophers and artists. The film contains excerpts from Swedish television programs that were covering American social movements at the time, and the difference in perspectives is very interesting.
Here is a version of the story that was being told abroad:
A powerful foreign nation is spending billions of dollars to make war in the name of bringing prosperity and freedom to the oppressed. But within its own boundaries, a large portion of the population is being denied equal opportunities to succeed because its members are part of "inferior" ethnic groups.
Some political organizers have set up free meal programs for the poor, who are chronically overlooked by the militant capitalist government. These leaders are also educating and arming their allies so that they can defend themselves against police brutality, hoping to prevent further violation of minorities' basic human rights. These individuals are being labeled as radicals and imprisoned, and political trials are commonplace. Even nonviolent activists and mainstream politicians who support the movement for equality are being assassinated for their views.
And here is one of the stories that was being told in the United States:
Foreigners with little understanding of our nation's history and socio-political climate are coming here to pass judgement on our system, which is flawed but is improving. They are painting dangerous political revolutionaries as harmless speech-makers, playing down their violent intentions. Violent action taken by fringe groups would do harm to Americans of all races and classes.
See the problem here? Both sides make valid points; the oppression of minority groups is wrong and needs to be exposed... but can foreign reporters ever really fairly analyze a complex situation in a nation with vastly different demographics and cultural practices? In an increasingly globalized world, we are faced with this question more and more each day, and it isn't getting easier.
So what do we do? How do we respect the sovereignty of foreign nations without "selling out" when it comes to our most cherished values? How can journalists put together unbiased reports on sensitive and controversial topics? To what extent does cultural relativism apply to international law? I do not know the answer to these questions. If I did, I would a politician instead of a blogger.
But I think I know where we could start: by resisting the urge to simplify complex situations. If we want to approach an unbiased understanding of what is happening in our world, we must expose ourselves to as many different viewpoints and perspectives as we can.
I am reminded of one of my favorite TED talks. The speaker is Chimamanda Adichie, who works to expose the danger of "the single story."
Chimamanda grew up in Africa, but came to North America for her university studies. Her roommate was shocked that Chimamanda knew how to do things like use the kitchen stove, because her "single story" of Africa was that of the destitute refugee. Little did she know that Chimamanda came from an affluent, "wired," and diverse community. The roommate's perception wasn't necessarily wrong (there are certainly millions of people whose experience would fit what she had seen on the news about the "Third World") but it was incomplete. She, like every one of us, was limited in her understanding by her lack of exposure to others' life stories.
I don't want to give away the whole talk, because it is much more powerful in the author's own words than in a retelling. You can (and should) check it out here: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
Let me know what you think about cultural relativism, international relations, or my stupid opinions. I'd love to hear from you!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Attack of the Cryptozoologists!
I was browsing the Netflix Instant library today, and I came across a terrible show about which I had entirely forgotten. When we had cable for a few months a while back, I had a harrowing and mysterious encounter with the History Channel's "MonsterQuest" program.
In case you haven't seen it, it's like a terrible reality show version of the "X-Files." At the beginning of the episode, various idiots across America describe that time they saw Bigfoot / the Jersey Devil / their grandmother naked. Then, a camera crew sorely lacking in artistic vision, along with an expert whom you can only assume has a history of heavy drug use, embark on a quest to prove that said monstrosity exists, and poses a severe threat to the survival of vacationers everywhere.
I didn't remember how terrible the show was, so I decided to watch an episode. I chose to educate myself about the Megalodon, an enormous shark that lived millions of years ago and may or may not still be crashing at his buddy's place in the Mariana Trench.
The MonsterQuest team headed to Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where fishermen had been reporting the presence of a large aquatic creature that would most likely be frightening if one were to encounter it personally. Preparations for an exploratory dive were being put together by a Formerly Overconfident American Interloper who had a Mysterious Encounter immediately after the Wise Aged Local had given him a Cryptic Warning about That Which We Do Not Understand.
I was already losing patience when the dive team explained how they would be able to tell if they had chosen the right location to search for the Megalodon. According to the Formerly Overconfident American Interloper, who was also apparently an expert in This Kind of Stuff, if the sea lions on the island they were exploring looked anxious, then that was a sign that there was surely a mega-predator somewhere nearby.
As soon as they started swimming around the breeding grounds, wielding enormous cameras and making a lot of noise, the team noticed that those sea lions sure seemed uncomfortable, and God knows those things only get nervous when gigantic dinosaur-sharks are approaching. The divers got out of the water just in time to not snap a picture of the presumably coy beast.
That's when I turned off the computer so I could go make some lunch.
In case you haven't seen it, it's like a terrible reality show version of the "X-Files." At the beginning of the episode, various idiots across America describe that time they saw Bigfoot / the Jersey Devil / their grandmother naked. Then, a camera crew sorely lacking in artistic vision, along with an expert whom you can only assume has a history of heavy drug use, embark on a quest to prove that said monstrosity exists, and poses a severe threat to the survival of vacationers everywhere.
I didn't remember how terrible the show was, so I decided to watch an episode. I chose to educate myself about the Megalodon, an enormous shark that lived millions of years ago and may or may not still be crashing at his buddy's place in the Mariana Trench.
The MonsterQuest team headed to Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where fishermen had been reporting the presence of a large aquatic creature that would most likely be frightening if one were to encounter it personally. Preparations for an exploratory dive were being put together by a Formerly Overconfident American Interloper who had a Mysterious Encounter immediately after the Wise Aged Local had given him a Cryptic Warning about That Which We Do Not Understand.
I was already losing patience when the dive team explained how they would be able to tell if they had chosen the right location to search for the Megalodon. According to the Formerly Overconfident American Interloper, who was also apparently an expert in This Kind of Stuff, if the sea lions on the island they were exploring looked anxious, then that was a sign that there was surely a mega-predator somewhere nearby.
As soon as they started swimming around the breeding grounds, wielding enormous cameras and making a lot of noise, the team noticed that those sea lions sure seemed uncomfortable, and God knows those things only get nervous when gigantic dinosaur-sharks are approaching. The divers got out of the water just in time to not snap a picture of the presumably coy beast.
That's when I turned off the computer so I could go make some lunch.
Friday, January 6, 2012
I'm re-reading the Hobbit
Yes, folks, you heard me right- I'm currently reading JRR Tokien's Hobbit for the second time. When I saw that the movie is coming out next December, I knew I had to get started right away if I wanted to finish the book by the time the film is released.
You see, I'm not a big fan of LOTR.
I liked the movies- they were exciting, beautifully shot, and fun to watch. The story of the Ring of Power is interesting, and fantasy can be used to explore the real world through a simplified lens. Middle Earth is a lot like Planet Earth, in that there is good and evil, but the boundary between the two is easier to identify than it is here. Imaginary worlds are often conveniently lacking in grey area. There are unbelievably perfect heroes, like Viggo Mortensen, and evil-to-the-core villains, like that wizard who was in the new (read: terrible) Star Wars films.
But the books were never able to bring this world to life for me, which is why I couldn't get through the trilogy. I was, however, able to read the Hobbit -- it just took a couple of years. Maybe this is because there are fewer weird names to remember in one book than in three, and the story is one with which everyone is familiar -- an unlikely hero has to deal with dragon troubles.
So far, the book hasn't been too boring. I've made it safely to Chapter II, and plan to continue reading tonight. However, I'm having a small problem: I had forgotten how many stupid songs Tolkien puts in his stories.
And in the Hobbit, skipping over them is not a good idea. I will share a few passages that illustrate the importance of reading the songs.
From 12 boring pages into the first chapter:
" 'I suppose you will all stay to supper?' he said in his politest unpressing tones.
'Of course!' said Thorin. 'And after. We shan't get through the business till late, and we must have some music first. Now to clear up!'
Thereupon the twelve dwarves...jumped to their feet, and made tall piles of all the things. Off they went...the dwarves only started to sing:
[Long, seemingly pointless song]
And of course, they did none of these dreadful things..."
Now, if you skipped the song, as I did, you would wonder what "dreadful things" the dwarves had been singing about. Disemboweling Bilbo's cat? Setting the neighbor's house ablaze? Singing another song?
(It turns out that they were singing about breaking plates and making a mess in the kitchen.)
A few pages later, Tolkien comes right out and tells you that you'd better not keep skipping his stupid songs. When Bilbo asks for a little more background info about the dragon's lair he's supposed to rob, Thorin the dwarf responds by saying:
"Haven't you got a map? and didn't you hear our song?"
Yes, apparently dwarf-lore is vital to one's understanding of the story, and it is explained only through songs. However, I have developed a strategy that will help other would-be Tolkien readers who can't stand poetry: usually, if you read the last two and a half verses you will get all the information you need.
In the case of the dwarf-lore that you need to know to understand why Smaug the dragon is such a frustration for Thorin 'n' Friends, the last two and a half verses of the previously mentioned song teach you everything you need to know:
"...Then dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!"
See? Using my new Tolkien Song Strategy, we can correctly assume that a dragon did a very bad thing to the dwarves and took their treasure, and that the dwarves want it back. This way, you only have to read two paragraphs instead of two pages of this crap, and if you skim the important parts, it's even quicker:
"...dragon...fire...laid low...towers...dwarves...fled their hall...dying...we must...win our harps and gold from him!"
You're welcome.
You see, I'm not a big fan of LOTR.
I liked the movies- they were exciting, beautifully shot, and fun to watch. The story of the Ring of Power is interesting, and fantasy can be used to explore the real world through a simplified lens. Middle Earth is a lot like Planet Earth, in that there is good and evil, but the boundary between the two is easier to identify than it is here. Imaginary worlds are often conveniently lacking in grey area. There are unbelievably perfect heroes, like Viggo Mortensen, and evil-to-the-core villains, like that wizard who was in the new (read: terrible) Star Wars films.
But the books were never able to bring this world to life for me, which is why I couldn't get through the trilogy. I was, however, able to read the Hobbit -- it just took a couple of years. Maybe this is because there are fewer weird names to remember in one book than in three, and the story is one with which everyone is familiar -- an unlikely hero has to deal with dragon troubles.
So far, the book hasn't been too boring. I've made it safely to Chapter II, and plan to continue reading tonight. However, I'm having a small problem: I had forgotten how many stupid songs Tolkien puts in his stories.
And in the Hobbit, skipping over them is not a good idea. I will share a few passages that illustrate the importance of reading the songs.
From 12 boring pages into the first chapter:
" 'I suppose you will all stay to supper?' he said in his politest unpressing tones.
'Of course!' said Thorin. 'And after. We shan't get through the business till late, and we must have some music first. Now to clear up!'
Thereupon the twelve dwarves...jumped to their feet, and made tall piles of all the things. Off they went...the dwarves only started to sing:
[Long, seemingly pointless song]
And of course, they did none of these dreadful things..."
Now, if you skipped the song, as I did, you would wonder what "dreadful things" the dwarves had been singing about. Disemboweling Bilbo's cat? Setting the neighbor's house ablaze? Singing another song?
(It turns out that they were singing about breaking plates and making a mess in the kitchen.)
A few pages later, Tolkien comes right out and tells you that you'd better not keep skipping his stupid songs. When Bilbo asks for a little more background info about the dragon's lair he's supposed to rob, Thorin the dwarf responds by saying:
"Haven't you got a map? and didn't you hear our song?"
Yes, apparently dwarf-lore is vital to one's understanding of the story, and it is explained only through songs. However, I have developed a strategy that will help other would-be Tolkien readers who can't stand poetry: usually, if you read the last two and a half verses you will get all the information you need.
In the case of the dwarf-lore that you need to know to understand why Smaug the dragon is such a frustration for Thorin 'n' Friends, the last two and a half verses of the previously mentioned song teach you everything you need to know:
"...Then dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!"
See? Using my new Tolkien Song Strategy, we can correctly assume that a dragon did a very bad thing to the dwarves and took their treasure, and that the dwarves want it back. This way, you only have to read two paragraphs instead of two pages of this crap, and if you skim the important parts, it's even quicker:
"...dragon...fire...laid low...towers...dwarves...fled their hall...dying...we must...win our harps and gold from him!"
You're welcome.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Fun movie time!
Well, gol-ly. I just got back from watching Twilight: Part 4 at the theater.
I am no fan of the series, but my friend Erin and I have now seen all the movies. We didn't like the first three, which the fans mostly loved, but we like the fourth, which the fans mostly hated.
It was probably the gore.
Now, I'm your typical vegetarian, pacifist, northeastern NPR listener, and I don't like violence. Usually. But when it comes to unbearable characters who deserve to be punished by some sort of convoluted supernatural bullshit for their lack of development over three installments, well...that's a different story.
(I'll start by saying I think that the Twilight series is not a good example for the young women to whom it caters. According to its creators: You're not complete until you find a man. Sex is only okay after marriage, and even then women shouldn't desire it. Abortion is always morally impermissible, even if carrying the child to term would result in the mother's death. It's okay for a grown man to fall in love with a baby, as long as he has a premonition showing him how hot she'll be in a few decades. Oh, and cannibalism is totally fine, with a prescription.)
The reason most girls like the Twilight series is the famous love triangle, between a pale, dead Englishman, an American Indian werewolf, and an obnoxious female narrator who is always unhappy about everything. We pretty much giggled through all of the romantic scenes in the first three movies, while critiquing the poor acting and ridiculous plotline.
But this movie offered us fewer WTF?! laughs and more cringe-inducing violence. Piles of bleeding corpses, emaciated masochists going under the knife without anesthesia, bones snapping, human body fluids being drunk out of a sippy cup. The misogynistic undertones didn't even bother me as much this time, probably because I had given up on Bella ever growing a (metaphorical) pair about half way through the first film. To her credit, she did finally take control of her body by refusing to get a life-saving abortion, even though the men in her life wanted her to. (Though I have my suspicions that Stephanie Meyers was trying to send a pro-life message rather than a girl-power one.)
The film was equal parts disturbing, hilariously ridiculous, and heavy-handed. Two thumbs up!
I am no fan of the series, but my friend Erin and I have now seen all the movies. We didn't like the first three, which the fans mostly loved, but we like the fourth, which the fans mostly hated.
It was probably the gore.
Now, I'm your typical vegetarian, pacifist, northeastern NPR listener, and I don't like violence. Usually. But when it comes to unbearable characters who deserve to be punished by some sort of convoluted supernatural bullshit for their lack of development over three installments, well...that's a different story.
(I'll start by saying I think that the Twilight series is not a good example for the young women to whom it caters. According to its creators: You're not complete until you find a man. Sex is only okay after marriage, and even then women shouldn't desire it. Abortion is always morally impermissible, even if carrying the child to term would result in the mother's death. It's okay for a grown man to fall in love with a baby, as long as he has a premonition showing him how hot she'll be in a few decades. Oh, and cannibalism is totally fine, with a prescription.)
The reason most girls like the Twilight series is the famous love triangle, between a pale, dead Englishman, an American Indian werewolf, and an obnoxious female narrator who is always unhappy about everything. We pretty much giggled through all of the romantic scenes in the first three movies, while critiquing the poor acting and ridiculous plotline.
But this movie offered us fewer WTF?! laughs and more cringe-inducing violence. Piles of bleeding corpses, emaciated masochists going under the knife without anesthesia, bones snapping, human body fluids being drunk out of a sippy cup. The misogynistic undertones didn't even bother me as much this time, probably because I had given up on Bella ever growing a (metaphorical) pair about half way through the first film. To her credit, she did finally take control of her body by refusing to get a life-saving abortion, even though the men in her life wanted her to. (Though I have my suspicions that Stephanie Meyers was trying to send a pro-life message rather than a girl-power one.)
The film was equal parts disturbing, hilariously ridiculous, and heavy-handed. Two thumbs up!
Monday, November 28, 2011
I tried WoW and I hated it.
Yes-- I tried World of Warcraft. I did my best to give it an honest go. But I managed to get killed off in the first twenty minutes or so of play and didn't care enough about the game to regenerate myself.
I was open minded-- I ignored my brother's teasing and set up a free trial account, and Blaph the pink-haired Gnome rogue set off on her first and only semi-adventure.
Apparently in WoW, there are two "sides"- they are called the "Alliance" and the "Horde" in the game, but they're basically Good and Evil as far as I could tell. Anyway, I was a Good Guy (Gal, really), and began my short-lived time in the world of Azeroth.
In Azeroth, Gnomes are not creepy little garden figurines that come to life under a full moon and murder you in your sleep like they are on Earth. They are kind of like Santa's elves I guess- they like to "tinker" in "workshops" and "make" stuff. (It would appear that outsourcing isn't really a concept in the fantasy genre.)
Anyway, after a short introductory video explained all this to me, I was dumped in (and I am not making this up) a Gnomish subway station plagued with dangerous lepers.
Now, I hate germs and disease much more than pretty much everyone else, but this scenario offended my "liberal sensibilities." In a world where you have all types of magic and healing spells, someone couldn't take the time to sprinkle a little fairy dust on the lepers? Wasn't that what Jesus wanted us to do (metaphorically speaking)?
Of course, my typed response when the lepers asked for my help was "sorry, i really dont care." And then I ditched them to go kill fluffy animated bunnies.
So, yeah...
I also learned that in Azeroth, unlike in real life, cowardice is not rewarded.
I was having a fun time stabbing ogres and rabbits and all, but I finally met my end (or rather, Blaph met finally met her end) when I decided it was time to figure out what the hell I was actually supposed to be doing. (World of Warcraft is not a good place for people who don't like to do video game problem-solving.) I was walking along when another ogre thing attacked me, unprovoked. I didn't really feel like fighting, so I decided to run away using the zig-zag patterns that zebras use to tire out ravenous cheetahs.
But Blizzard doesn't like it when you do that. Blizzard sends other monsters after you to punish you for your pacifistic approach. The monsters gang up on you, and the next thing you know you are in a graveyard, being told to "find your body" if you want to keep playing.
And if you don't, you click the exit button, shut down your computer, and thank God that you didn't enjoy your short-lived foray into the World of Warcraft.
I was open minded-- I ignored my brother's teasing and set up a free trial account, and Blaph the pink-haired Gnome rogue set off on her first and only semi-adventure.
Apparently in WoW, there are two "sides"- they are called the "Alliance" and the "Horde" in the game, but they're basically Good and Evil as far as I could tell. Anyway, I was a Good Guy (Gal, really), and began my short-lived time in the world of Azeroth.
In Azeroth, Gnomes are not creepy little garden figurines that come to life under a full moon and murder you in your sleep like they are on Earth. They are kind of like Santa's elves I guess- they like to "tinker" in "workshops" and "make" stuff. (It would appear that outsourcing isn't really a concept in the fantasy genre.)
Anyway, after a short introductory video explained all this to me, I was dumped in (and I am not making this up) a Gnomish subway station plagued with dangerous lepers.
Now, I hate germs and disease much more than pretty much everyone else, but this scenario offended my "liberal sensibilities." In a world where you have all types of magic and healing spells, someone couldn't take the time to sprinkle a little fairy dust on the lepers? Wasn't that what Jesus wanted us to do (metaphorically speaking)?
Of course, my typed response when the lepers asked for my help was "sorry, i really dont care." And then I ditched them to go kill fluffy animated bunnies.
So, yeah...
I also learned that in Azeroth, unlike in real life, cowardice is not rewarded.
I was having a fun time stabbing ogres and rabbits and all, but I finally met my end (or rather, Blaph met finally met her end) when I decided it was time to figure out what the hell I was actually supposed to be doing. (World of Warcraft is not a good place for people who don't like to do video game problem-solving.) I was walking along when another ogre thing attacked me, unprovoked. I didn't really feel like fighting, so I decided to run away using the zig-zag patterns that zebras use to tire out ravenous cheetahs.
But Blizzard doesn't like it when you do that. Blizzard sends other monsters after you to punish you for your pacifistic approach. The monsters gang up on you, and the next thing you know you are in a graveyard, being told to "find your body" if you want to keep playing.
And if you don't, you click the exit button, shut down your computer, and thank God that you didn't enjoy your short-lived foray into the World of Warcraft.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A new adventure
To my dear readers:
As some of you already know, my time in Quebec has come to a close for now. I will of course visit my new friends in Trois-Rivieres from time to time, but I am once again living in Upstate New York.
But I wouldn't want to deprive you all of the pleasure that reading my blog gives you. I have decided to keep writing about my strange experiences, only this time, I will go out looking for them instead of letting them come to me. (Living in a foreign country is bound to bring more new adventures to your door than hanging out in the same town you suffered through high school in.)
I will start trying things that have never interested me, to see if I'm missing out on anything. I haven't tried a lot of typical "fun" things because my own bizarre interests take up most of my time. (How many yodeling, goundhog-feeding foreign-language enthusiasts do you know?)
On the agenda:
-Try World of Warcraft (I realized I shouldn't make fun of people who play it unless I am absolutely sure it is as lame as it sounds.)
-Camp out at a protest (I'm too moderate to be really "into" most political causes, but hey- people and their beliefs fascinate me.)
-Go "hunting" (I'm a strict vegetarian, so I wouldn't be able to do much besides sit in a tree stand. But still.)
Please, if you know me and know what doesn't interest me-- or if you don't know me but know of something cool that I should try-- comment! Who knows- you may just introduce me to something I'll end up adopting as a hobby!
As some of you already know, my time in Quebec has come to a close for now. I will of course visit my new friends in Trois-Rivieres from time to time, but I am once again living in Upstate New York.
But I wouldn't want to deprive you all of the pleasure that reading my blog gives you. I have decided to keep writing about my strange experiences, only this time, I will go out looking for them instead of letting them come to me. (Living in a foreign country is bound to bring more new adventures to your door than hanging out in the same town you suffered through high school in.)
I will start trying things that have never interested me, to see if I'm missing out on anything. I haven't tried a lot of typical "fun" things because my own bizarre interests take up most of my time. (How many yodeling, goundhog-feeding foreign-language enthusiasts do you know?)
On the agenda:
-Try World of Warcraft (I realized I shouldn't make fun of people who play it unless I am absolutely sure it is as lame as it sounds.)
-Camp out at a protest (I'm too moderate to be really "into" most political causes, but hey- people and their beliefs fascinate me.)
-Go "hunting" (I'm a strict vegetarian, so I wouldn't be able to do much besides sit in a tree stand. But still.)
Please, if you know me and know what doesn't interest me-- or if you don't know me but know of something cool that I should try-- comment! Who knows- you may just introduce me to something I'll end up adopting as a hobby!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Ottawa!
Well, I just got back from Ottawa last night. Some friends and I stayed at a hostel there to experience the capital of the country we are staying in. It was really pretty: castle-type buildings, a Parliament modeled after the English one, a lack of litter and urine on the sidewalks...basically, exactly what you would expect of a major Canadian city.
I have run into a bit of problem, though. Whenever I appear in photographs now, I look quite pudgy. I haven`t gained weight- it`s just that the camera adds 10 pounds, and the parka adds about 20 more. To avoid wearing the parka would be to avoid staying warm, so I really have no choice when I`m traveling. So don`t think I`ve "let myself go" when you see the images on Facebook.
I have run into a bit of problem, though. Whenever I appear in photographs now, I look quite pudgy. I haven`t gained weight- it`s just that the camera adds 10 pounds, and the parka adds about 20 more. To avoid wearing the parka would be to avoid staying warm, so I really have no choice when I`m traveling. So don`t think I`ve "let myself go" when you see the images on Facebook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)