I have a nice, long post about a book called Liar and the horror and mayhem being caused by its cover.
However, I'm still waiting on permission from a couple blogs, to quote thier posts. If I don't get permission by Monday, I'll just edit the post to remove the quotes.
So, keep an eye on the blog Aug. 17!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ethnic Notions - the documentary
This week, I have about 25 pages of writing due for one of the classes I’m taking in Summer School, but I didn’t want to go without making at least some attempt at a post.
So, today, we here at MaMeMi would like to recommend a documentary for you to watch, about the experiences of African Americans and the way film has portrayed them throughout history. The documentary we think you should watch is called Ethnic Notions and it is a very in-depth look at the ways Black people have been portrayed in film since before the Civil War.
It is our opinion that, while the media has definitely moved past the state of outright and ostentatious racism depicted in the documentary, the media still has a long way to go.
See you next week!
(for a transcript of the film, go here: http://newsreel.org/transcripts/ethnicno.htm )
So, today, we here at MaMeMi would like to recommend a documentary for you to watch, about the experiences of African Americans and the way film has portrayed them throughout history. The documentary we think you should watch is called Ethnic Notions and it is a very in-depth look at the ways Black people have been portrayed in film since before the Civil War.
It is our opinion that, while the media has definitely moved past the state of outright and ostentatious racism depicted in the documentary, the media still has a long way to go.
See you next week!
(for a transcript of the film, go here: http://newsreel.org/transcripts/ethnicno.htm )
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sports Mascots and Ward Churchill
Sports! Finally! Somewhere that minorities can look and find themselves outnumbering the generally privileged majority, and being shown in a generally positive light! Right? Well, yeah, sure – unless you’re Native American. If you’re Native American, then when you look at sports you see stereotypes of your race abounding, whether it be the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, or the Washington Redskins.
Ward Churchill is a writer who has managed to anger a lot of people over the course of his career (look up the phrase ‘Little Eichmanns’ if you don’t believe that statement), oftentimes by pointing out the hypocrisy and dastardly deeds of those in charge. In his article “Crimes Against Humanity” in Z Magazine, March 1993, Churchill turned his scorn towards the countless sports teams on the national, collegiate, high school, and local level that use and reinforce Native American stereotypes. Churchill argues, in the article which won’t be quoted here (because this is a public blog and the article is copyrighted material), that the disgusting amount of sports teams that take their names and logos from offensive caricatures of Native Americans should be considered as bad as having a team mascot based on any other minority, such as Jewish, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people. Why is it o.k., Churchill wonders, to treat Native Americans in this manner but people are shocked and appalled at the idea of exaggerating the stereotypes of any other minority for use as a sports team?
Churchill’s article is interesting and intriguing, and we here at MaMeMi can’t help but wonder the same things. Why is it that logos such as these
- Washington Redskins
- Atlanta Braves
- Cleveland Indians
are considered completely acceptable in today’s society? Why does the Mass Media allow such disgusting displays of stereotyping and racism?
Ward Churchill is a writer who has managed to anger a lot of people over the course of his career (look up the phrase ‘Little Eichmanns’ if you don’t believe that statement), oftentimes by pointing out the hypocrisy and dastardly deeds of those in charge. In his article “Crimes Against Humanity” in Z Magazine, March 1993, Churchill turned his scorn towards the countless sports teams on the national, collegiate, high school, and local level that use and reinforce Native American stereotypes. Churchill argues, in the article which won’t be quoted here (because this is a public blog and the article is copyrighted material), that the disgusting amount of sports teams that take their names and logos from offensive caricatures of Native Americans should be considered as bad as having a team mascot based on any other minority, such as Jewish, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people. Why is it o.k., Churchill wonders, to treat Native Americans in this manner but people are shocked and appalled at the idea of exaggerating the stereotypes of any other minority for use as a sports team?
Churchill’s article is interesting and intriguing, and we here at MaMeMi can’t help but wonder the same things. Why is it that logos such as these
- Washington Redskins
- Atlanta Braves
- Cleveland Indiansare considered completely acceptable in today’s society? Why does the Mass Media allow such disgusting displays of stereotyping and racism?
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