Regardless of what people were saying in class, almost everything in that video was true. When people disputed the fact that some hip hop culture comes from old mob movies, all I have to do is think about high school and how every young boys answer to "what's your favorite movie?" they would say Scarface or the Godfather. Personally I found Scarface as a poor piece of film, while the Godfather held good cinematic value.
It is not until later in life, mid-twenties, perhaps later, that men start being able to be themselves. It is the same complex of how women dress to impress other women, not in a sexual way but as competition. All it is, is insecurity and competition among males. This is genetic it is the most basic part of humans. The competition for a mate. We don't compete against other females, we compete against other males so it only makes sense that young men need to feel macho and tough and feel it necessary to call others "pussies" or "wusses" or "fags" or any number of slanderous words that causes nothing but pain for the other person.
I am perplexed that any male could dispute this fact at all. We all know it to be true, and I feel like the males that deny it are the ones most influenced by the "tough guise." I'm sure some males never grow out of it. Insecurity doesn't have an age limit, and I am sure middle aged men feel this as much as young men.
Now, about the movie Rocky. I am not sure if he didn't check his facts but Rocky, the classic underdog story, lost to Apollo Creed!!! Has he never seen the movie? Sylvester stallone wrote and directed an amazing film about perseverance and he tried to chalk it up as some macho B.S. Rambo, ok I see the point there, but stay away from Rocky.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Gay and Lesbian in Popular culture
After watching the film on gay. lesbian, and transgendered people, I e-mailed my friend who is involved with the documentary March On, about gay and Lesbian rights. What I got was that it is not only a fight for the right of gays and Lesbians, but a fight for equality for everyone in our nation. The problem isn't singular, it is everyone including ourselves for letting the government, ad agencies, the population get away with this inappropriate behavior.
Can you just tell me a little about your involvement in the documentary and the March in D.C.?
On October 11, 2009, the National Equality March took place in Washington, DC. I was there as the Audio Field Engineer for an independent documentary titled, 'March On'. In which, we followed five families on their journey to Washington, as well as shedding light on the core issues facing the equal rights movement in America today.
What is the main cause of the movement, what are they fighting to achieve?
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"
...that's the 14th amendment to the constitution, that's essentially what we want.
How do you think this will affect America's identity, if it will at all?
Outside the US, any forward movement will be viewed as something that should have occurred long ago. A vast majority of other 'advanced' countries already have these laws in place...Meanwhile, our self-identity, in my opinion can only get better. Right now, It's much easier for a bully to justify his actions and intolerance when our own military doesn't allow an entire demographic of citizens to serve.
Did your opinion change or what did you learn from your involvement in contrast to your original thoughts on gay rights?
Before I arrived in DC, I did not really understand what was going on. Their problems didn't affect me directly as a straight, white male. Now, after learning about the issues, I'm of the opinion that it's not so much a gay/straight thing as it is a human rights issue. No one is equal until everyone is equal.
What do you think are the main pressures gay persons feel from American society?
It's difficult for me to answer this question, because I can not pretend that I understand what it's like to be ostracized and misunderstood by my friends, family, co-workers, etc...I guess the main problem we have to face as a united movement is the fact that most people just plain do not understand what is at stake.
Can you just tell me a little about your involvement in the documentary and the March in D.C.?
On October 11, 2009, the National Equality March took place in Washington, DC. I was there as the Audio Field Engineer for an independent documentary titled, 'March On'. In which, we followed five families on their journey to Washington, as well as shedding light on the core issues facing the equal rights movement in America today.
What is the main cause of the movement, what are they fighting to achieve?
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"
...that's the 14th amendment to the constitution, that's essentially what we want.
How do you think this will affect America's identity, if it will at all?
Outside the US, any forward movement will be viewed as something that should have occurred long ago. A vast majority of other 'advanced' countries already have these laws in place...Meanwhile, our self-identity, in my opinion can only get better. Right now, It's much easier for a bully to justify his actions and intolerance when our own military doesn't allow an entire demographic of citizens to serve.
Did your opinion change or what did you learn from your involvement in contrast to your original thoughts on gay rights?
Before I arrived in DC, I did not really understand what was going on. Their problems didn't affect me directly as a straight, white male. Now, after learning about the issues, I'm of the opinion that it's not so much a gay/straight thing as it is a human rights issue. No one is equal until everyone is equal.
What do you think are the main pressures gay persons feel from American society?
It's difficult for me to answer this question, because I can not pretend that I understand what it's like to be ostracized and misunderstood by my friends, family, co-workers, etc...I guess the main problem we have to face as a united movement is the fact that most people just plain do not understand what is at stake.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Music Videos
Music Videos, especially video in the rap/hip hop genre, are very degrading, trashy, inappropriate, and so much more. Terms like "music video thighs" have been coined because of the way music videos are now made. Usually women in little to no clothing shaking their body parts. The only thing that I can see that is a positive out of this is the fact the music video is no longer watched by a big audience. MTV, or Music Television no longer plays any show remotely linked to music, except in the wee hours of the morning.
It seems like the internet is the only place to find and watch music videos, and recording artists are now less inclined to make them when their is such a little audience compared to the 1990's and early 2000's. Regardless, the content is very objectifying to women, quite possible the most hurtful out of any form. Frankly I am surprised that so many women are so excited to openly participate being filmed in this type of behavior.
It seems like the internet is the only place to find and watch music videos, and recording artists are now less inclined to make them when their is such a little audience compared to the 1990's and early 2000's. Regardless, the content is very objectifying to women, quite possible the most hurtful out of any form. Frankly I am surprised that so many women are so excited to openly participate being filmed in this type of behavior.
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