A fellow classmate of ours recently mentioned a film, Babies, that she found to be relevant to our class. I decided to also watch the film, and thought that it was a great example of what we had studied at the start of our class, as she had said.
The film's focus is on the lives of four babies; one that lives in San Francisco, one that lives in Mongolia, one that lives in Namibia, and one that lives in Japan. Although we assume these places to be so different, as I watched the film I realized that there are similarities just as there are differences. The film demonstrates that babies are babies, and no matter where they come from, they do the exact same things. Although, I appreciated the way in which the film demonstrated how there are a variety of ways that adults choose to behave in regards to babies. For example, some of us take our babies to music classes and get the latest toys, while others clap with their children and make toys out of the things they have already. This contrast made me question what is best, and if in the end, the newest and greatest classes and toys aren't so great. Do fancy toys help our children become better people?
Although there are a plethora of parenting strategies to consider while watching the film, one common thread seen throughout the film is how every place and every group of people have a rhythm. Every group of people raises their children differently, and because of this certain behaviors, toys, technology, and ways of teaching, will all be different. I do not know what is best, as I have never been a parent. However, I have to wonder if all of these "have to's" are really necessary.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Assignment #6: CSUMB Poets in Celebration of Social Justice
The event, Poets in Celebration of Social Justice was really great. I had heard about the event from both Estella and my professor for Transnational Migrations, Maria Villasenor. I am currently taking 18 units this semester, as well as working as much as I can. Needless to say, I don't make it to that many campus events. However, I made it to this one, and am really happy that I did.
The event was held in the University Ballroom, where three poets were invited for a poetry reading. I personally have never attended a poetry reading, and I really enjoyed myself. The speakers were so powerful, and their poems were very beautiful. It was inspiring to hear such passion, and the events that have affected these individuals, as well as their people. It was truly a wonderful event, and if any of you have time, you should attend such events.
The event was held in the University Ballroom, where three poets were invited for a poetry reading. I personally have never attended a poetry reading, and I really enjoyed myself. The speakers were so powerful, and their poems were very beautiful. It was inspiring to hear such passion, and the events that have affected these individuals, as well as their people. It was truly a wonderful event, and if any of you have time, you should attend such events.
Assignment #5: Sex and the City
I must admit that I was a big fan of Sex and the City, both the television shows and the first film. A fellow classmate had suggested to watch the film, Sex and the City 2, as she seemed to find it to be very racist and unacceptable. The media forms in which we are exposed to are very important, due to the fact that they carry the possibility to have a great influence on us. Therefore, what we see as "normal" or "funny," in films, or any other media form, we may transfer into our own lives, our own behavior, and our own thoughts. However, I also think that we should acknowledge that there should be some media that is meant to entertain, and that may not always be the perfect example.
Therefore, I took my classmate up on her suggestion, with the thought in mind that she was being a bit too critical, and extreme. It turns out, I was wrong and that I found myself agreeing with her. Sex and the City 2 concentrated on a group of girlfriends that leave New York for a getaway to Abu Dhabi. Although the four women may have not understood certain aspects of the culture found in this distant land, they had a general sense of the respect that was to be paid to the people and region. Although some of the characters were able to accept common behavior, there was one character that would not. She refused to accept the forms of dress, and conservative behavior that demonstrated respect.
A film such as Sex and the City 2 is a major film, and due to its cast and popularity, has the potential to affect many people. Therefore, when films or any other media choose to portray characters in such a way, they imply and reassure the idea that white Americans hold power and should be accepted as the norm. It makes one wonder why this subject is even addressed, why must we treat those who are different than "us" as "clueless" or "bad?" Why couldn't all the characters within this film accept the common behaviors and actions in Abu Dhabi without judgement or disagreement? I think that in media for social change, it is important to consider these ideas because our ideas and behaviors are affected by what we are exposed to.
Therefore, I took my classmate up on her suggestion, with the thought in mind that she was being a bit too critical, and extreme. It turns out, I was wrong and that I found myself agreeing with her. Sex and the City 2 concentrated on a group of girlfriends that leave New York for a getaway to Abu Dhabi. Although the four women may have not understood certain aspects of the culture found in this distant land, they had a general sense of the respect that was to be paid to the people and region. Although some of the characters were able to accept common behavior, there was one character that would not. She refused to accept the forms of dress, and conservative behavior that demonstrated respect.
A film such as Sex and the City 2 is a major film, and due to its cast and popularity, has the potential to affect many people. Therefore, when films or any other media choose to portray characters in such a way, they imply and reassure the idea that white Americans hold power and should be accepted as the norm. It makes one wonder why this subject is even addressed, why must we treat those who are different than "us" as "clueless" or "bad?" Why couldn't all the characters within this film accept the common behaviors and actions in Abu Dhabi without judgement or disagreement? I think that in media for social change, it is important to consider these ideas because our ideas and behaviors are affected by what we are exposed to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)