Paula Deen...Paula Deen...Your frighteningly white teeth and butter-drenched cooking have put you in the spotlight. I am now going to give my thoughts on the recent scandal regarding Paula Deen's use of the word "n*gger" and her attitude towards black people. Then, I'm going to review the common thoughts I've heard in response to the "news"
Paula Deen is a plump little, glazed-eyed, grinning, southern dough-puncher that I once used pictures of to unnerve my co-worker with. Now, she's managed to stir up a heap of haters due to her using the "n-word" among other things.
Story goes; Over 20 years ago(which I have yet to see where she said when this took place), Deen announced at a party that she would love to throw a plantation party, complete with blacks dressed in black shorts and long sleeved white coats like they did in the old movies. Uh-huh. She claims that she doesn't remember using that word beyond one time to describe the people that held her at gunpoint during a robbery, but it is possible she's used it before.
Opinion: I'm disturbed by anyone, even at her age, that does not remember if they've used that word more than once. It's not a socially acceptable word for the most part so it isn't like trying to remember if you've said "sofa" instead of "couch". Despite how long ago it was or whether she feels that way or not, having the notion of nothing but black servants is repulsive.
Is her use of the word forgivable?
Sure it is. A drag queen recently got attacked by two black thuggish women. He was bloodied and bruised. Of course he was in shock and he referred to them as "n*ggers" at the time of the incident. I think with the adrienaline running, it was understandable that the most negative word could slip out of his...her...his...her...mouth. Girl...you got beaten. You forgiven. Besides, they were behaving like what you called them.
Everyone that asks for an apology should be given another chance and there is no reason to believe she did not mean it.
Should FOOD NETWORK have fired her?
Hard to say. If they did nothing, then a lot of people might have accused them of condoning racism. By firing her, a lot of people felt they overreacted to something that happened a long time ago. As a friend of mine said "Is there a statute of limitation on racial slurs?" Only if the person is now enlightened.
I say...don't fire her. Just reduce how many times she's on a week. Afterall, there were NO reports of her ever using the word "n*gger" at work. At almost any other job, what you do in your own time in your own home is your own business. She would most likely never have gotten fired.
POPULAR COMMENTS:
1. It was 27 years ago.
So, if I called you a f*ggot or a disease-ridden b*tch today, but you didn't find out about it until 10 years from now, would you be upset at all?
2. Every white person has used that word or thought it about a black person.
No, they haven't. Sit down and shut up. I have white friends that were around racism and they saw the ugliness that came with it so they don't use it. I have black friends that appreciate black history enough not to use the word (or the variation of "n*gga") in their speech. So unless you've made a life mission of compiling a report that shows EVERY white person has used that word...I need you to stop using such a generalized statement. It's ignorant.
3. I support Paula Deen
I don't know that declaring you support Paula Deen is really wise. Maybe you don't think she should have been fired. Maybe you enjoy her fattening confections. But saying you Support Paula Deen like she's Nelson Mandela is not only an overreaction, but it makes it sound like you support her use of the word.
4. But Black People Use It All The Time
Not all black people use the word "n*gger" (see #2). Those that do, no matter how much they try to justify it, are wrong. "It's our word" No, it's what you get called when a racist is beating you with a whip to make you pick cotton faster. I don't care what kind of street flavor you try to mix in with it, it is still the same word that carries with it the harsh history of your ancestors. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X would be disgusted by the flippant use of the word. And instead of saying the word and getting upset with how, who, or why someone else said it...let's just all agree to stop using it. With all of that said, non-black people...someone else being stupid doesn't give you the right to be stupid. I think it is a survivable sacrifice to stop using that word for the sake of peace and junk.
Now, I won't lie. I laugh when it is used in certain types of humor. I don't know if it is right or wrong, but it is usually coming from a multi-racial group of people delivering the jokes. Example: the racist McDonald's commercial on youtube.
5. "N*gger" can apply to any race by definition.
Yes, it can.
6. There will always be racism. There is nothing we can do about it. That's just the way life is.
Saying "That's the way life is" is part of the reason life is the way it is. Do you honestly think that blacks got the right to live and work anywhere because they said "Well, this is just how life is." Did women get the right to vote because they said "Meh, that's just how things are."? Things are not the way they were 10-50 years ago because someone said "I'm going to try and change things". It is just a cop-out response to people who would rather not put for the effort. Why don't you just say "I don't want to work at making the world a better place."? It carries the same attitude and is more accurate. If you don't believe that things can change...then they won't. If you don't believe things can change, then you are part of the problem. You have the power to influence your environment and you choosing to accept the bad things in the world makes you a liability instead of part of the solution. Even if you believe that things are just going to be how they are, keep it to yourself. You don't need to be the obstacle for someone else who's trying to do something.
7. We all say things we shouldn't.
Well, we do less of it as we mature. Stop doing it and you won't have people bringing up stupid stuff you did 25 years ago. Besides, we might all say things we shouldn't but most of us know which things are crossing the line.
A majority of the white supporters need to realize they couldn't understand what the word "n*gger" means to a lot of black people...the pain that is attached. So don't try to defend the actions too much.
A majority of the black non-supporters need to realize that people do change but only if we let them. Taking her job and continuing to bash her will not make her a better person. Let her have her job. If you don't like her...don't watch her.
REVIEW: Racism (or hate of a group of any kind) needs to be fought with the opposite thing. Acceptance. She's not Satan. She said a bad word...we will live. Give her a chance and then get over it...you, nigg...oh, wait...yeah...can't say that word.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Man of Foil
SPOILER ALERT - This blog may contain spoilers regarding my take on the new movie, Man of Steel, which I watched with my good buddy, Daniel.
Short review: Man of Steel began as a good idea (with a hot actor) and ended as a good idea(...you know...with a hot actor).
Long review: The planet Krypton had never been so fully realized on screen as it had been in this incarnation of the Superman legend. The creativity was overflowing in the "design" department. I saw more original concepts through out the first chapter of the tale than I had seen in all of last summers blockbusters.
From the moment we jump into the present, the sexy lead stumbles around a poorly executed story about destiny and preservation of races. I was never bored as I always had some sort of destruction or Clark Kent's body to look at.
I will say that he was a perfect choice for the all-American hero. His well meaning eyes balanced with that chiseled jaw were perfect. I'm not sure if he was a weak actor or if it was just the material, but I was never fully convinced by his reactions to things. He met his real father: nothing. Walked around an entire Metropolis that he and Zod destroyed; nothing. Dealt with me ogling him for almost 2 1/2 hours; nothing. WHY WON'T YOU LOOK AT ME, HENRY CAVILL?!?
Ahem, anyway. Amy Adams, who I adore, was not the sassy reporter I would have expected out of my Lois Lane. That cutesy voice made me think she was writing for Smallville High's school paper. I have always pictured Lois being a fearless, strong-backed woman. Adams was too...sweet.
There were a lot of holes and questions that remained by the time the end credits rolled. Why did no one report Clark Kent being on fire at the oil rig? Why was his dad's consciousness able to visit him but his mother's wasn't? Why didn't Zod's two henchmen kill or take Clark's mom, while Zod and Clark were fighting? How did Zod, the machines, and the fighting do ALL that damage but there wasn't a dead body to be seen? I mean...how big is Metropolis that they brought down 20 buildings and were able to rebuild by the end of the movie? And why won't Henry Cavill call me?
All this criticism makes it sound as if I did not enjoy the movie. I did. You just want to leave your thinking cap off. I will say that the CGI was some of the best I've seen and Diane Lane was entertaining as Momma Kent. There was some good cinematography and a wonderful last line by Amy Adams that I won't give away. Let's just say that if the rest of the script had been as clever, I would have given it higher regards.
Short review: Man of Steel began as a good idea (with a hot actor) and ended as a good idea(...you know...with a hot actor).
Long review: The planet Krypton had never been so fully realized on screen as it had been in this incarnation of the Superman legend. The creativity was overflowing in the "design" department. I saw more original concepts through out the first chapter of the tale than I had seen in all of last summers blockbusters.
From the moment we jump into the present, the sexy lead stumbles around a poorly executed story about destiny and preservation of races. I was never bored as I always had some sort of destruction or Clark Kent's body to look at.
I will say that he was a perfect choice for the all-American hero. His well meaning eyes balanced with that chiseled jaw were perfect. I'm not sure if he was a weak actor or if it was just the material, but I was never fully convinced by his reactions to things. He met his real father: nothing. Walked around an entire Metropolis that he and Zod destroyed; nothing. Dealt with me ogling him for almost 2 1/2 hours; nothing. WHY WON'T YOU LOOK AT ME, HENRY CAVILL?!?
Ahem, anyway. Amy Adams, who I adore, was not the sassy reporter I would have expected out of my Lois Lane. That cutesy voice made me think she was writing for Smallville High's school paper. I have always pictured Lois being a fearless, strong-backed woman. Adams was too...sweet.
There were a lot of holes and questions that remained by the time the end credits rolled. Why did no one report Clark Kent being on fire at the oil rig? Why was his dad's consciousness able to visit him but his mother's wasn't? Why didn't Zod's two henchmen kill or take Clark's mom, while Zod and Clark were fighting? How did Zod, the machines, and the fighting do ALL that damage but there wasn't a dead body to be seen? I mean...how big is Metropolis that they brought down 20 buildings and were able to rebuild by the end of the movie? And why won't Henry Cavill call me?
All this criticism makes it sound as if I did not enjoy the movie. I did. You just want to leave your thinking cap off. I will say that the CGI was some of the best I've seen and Diane Lane was entertaining as Momma Kent. There was some good cinematography and a wonderful last line by Amy Adams that I won't give away. Let's just say that if the rest of the script had been as clever, I would have given it higher regards.
My Influences
In no particular order...these are the things and people that greatly influenced by life.
1. The great destruction of "Lil' Billy". If you didn't read my other blog that I had with my brothers and want the details, check this out. http://beatyboys3.blogspot.com/ For a run down; when I was 14 or 15, I found out I was adopted, that people had killed my real mother with intent to kill me and my brother, and that I had been hidden away in a small town and had my name changed to protect me. It was the single greatest explosion in my life that knocked me on a course that I could have never predicted.
2. My parents - the ones who raised me. What burdens they carried and sacrifices they made. At the same time, my mother never ever led me to believe I wasn't loved. Even after she was gone, I think that is what made me who I am at the core. I love them deeply and miss my momma, like you can't imagine. She also influenced my life because she died on Christmas morning when I was 15. It changed the way I celebrated and thought of holidays.
3. Darren Capps - my first love. Of course, I was also an 18-19 year old co-dependent child who saw someone I needed to "fix" but Darren was the first person when I left home, that I felt loved me.
4. God - Oh, boy...yeah, I remembered today how rock solid my belief in God was...always trying to please him, always calling on him, always writing to him. Even when my world fell apart as a teenager, I never doubted he was there. I wanted to be good for goodness sake...even as a child. I heard stories about "Jesus' return" and hoped that I was him. That's how "good" I wanted to be.
5. My nephews, Austin and Matthew - I love all my nieces and nephews...you have no idea. But Austin and Matthew had the greatest influence on my life because it was the first time outside of my brothers that I felt like I had family again. Seeing them smile made me smile. Feeling needed gave me a sense of self-worth. They made me really want to have kids of my own and they gave me a reason to keep going during a few dark times in my life.
6. Joseph - my adoption may have never seen the light of day and I might have not made it through the death of my parents without my brother, Joe. He's crass and can be a big old thug sometimes, but he's also like me in the most important ways. He analyzes things. He's passionate. He's creative. I'm an adult, but it still feels safer knowing I have a big brother out there. There are only one or two people I feel like cares for me the way my brother does. He's not perfect, but he's helped me grow as a person. He's awesome and I love him.
7. Bud - I would not be here without my roommate, mentor, and friend. He has flown across the US when I was in trouble. He listens to me ramble (though I can tell when he has tuned me out). He got me to celebrate the holidays, has put up with my nonsense/tantrums, gave me refuge when I thought I was cracking up...No one on this earth has done more for me as an adult than this guy.
8. Minnesota - I left for Minnesota to be there because I thought my younger brother needed me. I left my job, friends, and life to go help him get on his feet. Long story short? (You can read about it here also http://beatyboys3.blogspot.com/) Almost as soon as I arrived, my brother had gotten into a relationship and abandoned me in a strange city to fend for myself with no money, no friends, and no support. Add onto the fact that the week I got there, my father died in Texas and Christmas was around the corner (was still a hard time for me) and needless to say, depression was pummeling me like a Mortal Kombat character. However, in that depression and through that struggle...I found my independence. It was the moment I stopped being afraid of the world and realized how free of a person I was.
9. Moses - he was my pug. This may seem silly but when I was still trying to get out of my shell, I had Moses. He was the one constant thing in my life. He made me laugh. I'd snuggle with him when I was sad and dress him up like Della Reese. Seriously though...he taught me unconditional love, responsibility, and started my process of getting beyond my attachment issues. Thanks, Mo-mo.
10. Gaslight Theatre - good or bad, Gaslight theatre has had a major influence over me. Yes, it helped me realize all the skills I needed to work on and a place to do them, but it also helped me find the confidence and strength to understand relationships, friendships, and people. It was my training ground for finding inner peace among turmoil, build a better armor to deal with gossip, and sharpened my ability to take control of my own life. I walked away from the Gaslight understanding I needed less than I thought I did to be happy and content. My last play was a reward for all that I learned about people; good and bad.
What influenced you thus far?
1. The great destruction of "Lil' Billy". If you didn't read my other blog that I had with my brothers and want the details, check this out. http://beatyboys3.blogspot.com/ For a run down; when I was 14 or 15, I found out I was adopted, that people had killed my real mother with intent to kill me and my brother, and that I had been hidden away in a small town and had my name changed to protect me. It was the single greatest explosion in my life that knocked me on a course that I could have never predicted.
2. My parents - the ones who raised me. What burdens they carried and sacrifices they made. At the same time, my mother never ever led me to believe I wasn't loved. Even after she was gone, I think that is what made me who I am at the core. I love them deeply and miss my momma, like you can't imagine. She also influenced my life because she died on Christmas morning when I was 15. It changed the way I celebrated and thought of holidays.
3. Darren Capps - my first love. Of course, I was also an 18-19 year old co-dependent child who saw someone I needed to "fix" but Darren was the first person when I left home, that I felt loved me.
4. God - Oh, boy...yeah, I remembered today how rock solid my belief in God was...always trying to please him, always calling on him, always writing to him. Even when my world fell apart as a teenager, I never doubted he was there. I wanted to be good for goodness sake...even as a child. I heard stories about "Jesus' return" and hoped that I was him. That's how "good" I wanted to be.
5. My nephews, Austin and Matthew - I love all my nieces and nephews...you have no idea. But Austin and Matthew had the greatest influence on my life because it was the first time outside of my brothers that I felt like I had family again. Seeing them smile made me smile. Feeling needed gave me a sense of self-worth. They made me really want to have kids of my own and they gave me a reason to keep going during a few dark times in my life.
6. Joseph - my adoption may have never seen the light of day and I might have not made it through the death of my parents without my brother, Joe. He's crass and can be a big old thug sometimes, but he's also like me in the most important ways. He analyzes things. He's passionate. He's creative. I'm an adult, but it still feels safer knowing I have a big brother out there. There are only one or two people I feel like cares for me the way my brother does. He's not perfect, but he's helped me grow as a person. He's awesome and I love him.
7. Bud - I would not be here without my roommate, mentor, and friend. He has flown across the US when I was in trouble. He listens to me ramble (though I can tell when he has tuned me out). He got me to celebrate the holidays, has put up with my nonsense/tantrums, gave me refuge when I thought I was cracking up...No one on this earth has done more for me as an adult than this guy.
8. Minnesota - I left for Minnesota to be there because I thought my younger brother needed me. I left my job, friends, and life to go help him get on his feet. Long story short? (You can read about it here also http://beatyboys3.blogspot.com/) Almost as soon as I arrived, my brother had gotten into a relationship and abandoned me in a strange city to fend for myself with no money, no friends, and no support. Add onto the fact that the week I got there, my father died in Texas and Christmas was around the corner (was still a hard time for me) and needless to say, depression was pummeling me like a Mortal Kombat character. However, in that depression and through that struggle...I found my independence. It was the moment I stopped being afraid of the world and realized how free of a person I was.
9. Moses - he was my pug. This may seem silly but when I was still trying to get out of my shell, I had Moses. He was the one constant thing in my life. He made me laugh. I'd snuggle with him when I was sad and dress him up like Della Reese. Seriously though...he taught me unconditional love, responsibility, and started my process of getting beyond my attachment issues. Thanks, Mo-mo.
10. Gaslight Theatre - good or bad, Gaslight theatre has had a major influence over me. Yes, it helped me realize all the skills I needed to work on and a place to do them, but it also helped me find the confidence and strength to understand relationships, friendships, and people. It was my training ground for finding inner peace among turmoil, build a better armor to deal with gossip, and sharpened my ability to take control of my own life. I walked away from the Gaslight understanding I needed less than I thought I did to be happy and content. My last play was a reward for all that I learned about people; good and bad.
What influenced you thus far?
Biblical Proportions
Who wants peace?
Apparently not Christians or Atheists and very few that fall in between.
Lately, I've seen a lot of Christian bashing. For a long time, I've seen a lot of non-Christian bashing. Ladies! Ladies...please. Go back to your corners and let's think this through.
Christians, let's start with you. A lot of you have been rude, snobby, and pushy. Is that really a way to bring people to Christ? I worked at a horrible little office store once (I'll refrain from saying the name of the place with the "easy" button) and the worst customers I had were pastors. A younger couple, a pastor and his wife, who couldn't afford to return my smile or be understanding when we didn't have what they were looking for made my rude list. There was also a priest who looked like someone had peed in his oatmeal but he still ate it. From protesting protestants who thinks they should have a political voice to the bullying baptists who would sooner step over a bleeding drug addict than to actually help get them clean; Christianity embraces its failure to be Christian as if it were a badge of honor sometimes. I speak not of the Christians who make mistakes, we all do that...or even those who are trying to find their way. I'm talking about those that walk around as if they've been elected President of Heaven because they go to church 2 or 3 times a week.
Now, Atheist...your turn. You have EVERY right to go with your left brain and deny there is a God because you have not have enough proof to convince you otherwise. Supernatural affairs are supernatural because regular science does not fit. But just as they cannot prove there is a God, you cannot prove there isn't one. Sure, I get it. The bible is a roller coaster of conflicts and contradictions. The miracles stated inside have not proven to exist today. But where do you get off trying to destroy what others use to get through this difficult life? Scrubs had a marvelous episode where the nurse...oh, hell...see it for yourself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAtjs-JAtE You don't need to take away someone else's belief OR become the attacker in order to defend your non-belief. You're not different than the pushy Christians. Yes, you might feel oppressed and condemned, but even if you don't believe in God...you should believe in love. The things that come with love are patience and understanding...acceptance. The same things you want. Get over yourselves and stop trying to prove your intellect to the rest of the world.
Peace...you just have to want it more than you want to be right.
Review: Shut up and hug it out. Neither side is doing anything to hurt the other side and if you are, then stop it. If you're the one being hurt, say something about the hurt but leave the personal beliefs out of it. Because none of us knows anything FOR CERTAIN, so all of us could be wrong.
Apparently not Christians or Atheists and very few that fall in between.
Lately, I've seen a lot of Christian bashing. For a long time, I've seen a lot of non-Christian bashing. Ladies! Ladies...please. Go back to your corners and let's think this through.
Christians, let's start with you. A lot of you have been rude, snobby, and pushy. Is that really a way to bring people to Christ? I worked at a horrible little office store once (I'll refrain from saying the name of the place with the "easy" button) and the worst customers I had were pastors. A younger couple, a pastor and his wife, who couldn't afford to return my smile or be understanding when we didn't have what they were looking for made my rude list. There was also a priest who looked like someone had peed in his oatmeal but he still ate it. From protesting protestants who thinks they should have a political voice to the bullying baptists who would sooner step over a bleeding drug addict than to actually help get them clean; Christianity embraces its failure to be Christian as if it were a badge of honor sometimes. I speak not of the Christians who make mistakes, we all do that...or even those who are trying to find their way. I'm talking about those that walk around as if they've been elected President of Heaven because they go to church 2 or 3 times a week.
Now, Atheist...your turn. You have EVERY right to go with your left brain and deny there is a God because you have not have enough proof to convince you otherwise. Supernatural affairs are supernatural because regular science does not fit. But just as they cannot prove there is a God, you cannot prove there isn't one. Sure, I get it. The bible is a roller coaster of conflicts and contradictions. The miracles stated inside have not proven to exist today. But where do you get off trying to destroy what others use to get through this difficult life? Scrubs had a marvelous episode where the nurse...oh, hell...see it for yourself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAtjs-JAtE You don't need to take away someone else's belief OR become the attacker in order to defend your non-belief. You're not different than the pushy Christians. Yes, you might feel oppressed and condemned, but even if you don't believe in God...you should believe in love. The things that come with love are patience and understanding...acceptance. The same things you want. Get over yourselves and stop trying to prove your intellect to the rest of the world.
Peace...you just have to want it more than you want to be right.
Review: Shut up and hug it out. Neither side is doing anything to hurt the other side and if you are, then stop it. If you're the one being hurt, say something about the hurt but leave the personal beliefs out of it. Because none of us knows anything FOR CERTAIN, so all of us could be wrong.
War of Art
"It's a man's world" is a saying that should ring familiar with most of you, dear readers. If this holds any truth, that would explain why sports and war have cluttered up the garden of life; the arts. Art struggles in almost every location of America. It struggles to keep its place in the priorities of schools, family, and city government. Let's explore the world of creative arts and compare it to things like military, sports, and movies. In the end, maybe we will discover that paintings and theatre are indeed "manly" items that deserve a little more focus from the majority of the population.
First, I want to answer the question "Why are the arts always the first considered to be cut when funding issues arise?" I believe it is fair to say that art programs, whether school or individual, are one of the areas the powers that be look to cut when they need more money. Could it be because they obviously cannot see the overall big picture, the value of the arts, and the scale of impact? Certainly putting on a stage production of Steel Magnolias won't put food on the table, end a war, or cure cancer.
But the biggest epidemic is that it isn't considered "masculine" enough. Don't believe me? I wanted to take my nephews to the live theatre, maybe get them involved. One of them said that acting was for girls.
Really? I didn't realize that Bruce Willis, wrestler Dwayne Johnson, and Ice-T were women. Now, yes he is a little boy but if that is what he thinks now how will he appreciate and value that as an adult. He does not have to be an artist. In fact, his natural personality leans towards sports and it is obvious he loves it. Does that mean he can't go to an art museum or attend the symphony? Tell me a mature, stable, and worthy woman who does not appreciate a man who can scream at the Superbowl but also respect a Bazille painting.
So, I said that a play would not cure cancer and so forth. Let me take that back. The arts have been proven to stimulate the mind. From Beethoven for Babies cd's to the magic of a falling chandelier at Phantom of the Opera, the brain is exercised by these creations just like a workout strengthens the bi-ceps. Creativity is where true problem-solving skills come from. Say whaaaaa...? Yes, it does. Think about it.
If you were the man who studied art enough to be able to create those old "hidden image" posters, then you must be able to figure out ways around problems. If you can imagine an image that doesn't exist, then you can imagine a solution to a problem that seemingly doesn't exist. Sharp problem solving skills is what makes a good leader, a good project manager...be it a President or a fast food worker.
In the 90's, some pro-football players discovered the benefit of ballet...YES, I said BALLET! Stop questioning me!!! They realized that the strict and difficult lessons taught in that field of dance could be applied to movement on the field to not only reduce injury but make them better players.
The arts are not less masculine...they are masculinity with more finesse. It's masculinity with a dash of intelligence to go with it. Cavemen drew on walls for crying out loud! They didn't leave that for the women. Storytelling was part and is part of many cultures and men are as involved (if not more) than women.
Let me assure you, working a 40 hour job then spending 2-4 hours lifting heavy wooden platforms and furniture is not "easy." Memorizing almost a hundred pages of lines is not "easy." Taking a violin and creating a sound that makes people ready to fight or cry is a form of power. Ask an average stranger off the street to paint the voice of God...and only an artist would understand the request and produce an answer.
We should not be fighting in wars and having personal civil battles with our neighbors for the sake of "fighting." We should be at war to protect and preserve one of the things that separate us from barbarians and animals; our ability to make the world a better place to look at and listen to. Otherwise, when the dust settles from our war, we will be left with a depressing and ugly environment that has absolutely no value.
Picture that typical child or teen, dealing with the drama of hormones, heartbreaks, and responsibilities. They instinctively turn to poetry, painting, or photography to cope. They have usually not had the time or experience to know how to deal with a lot of things, but expressing that in a way that doesn't involve shooting up a school or running away from home has got to be encouraged. It's why I hate that schools, parents, and families over react to drawings that may be a little dark or morbid. I wrote things all the time that may have sounded mental, but once I wrote them those thoughts down I was usually over them. Jumping on their case and kicking them out of school over a drawing would most likely make a kid who is already feeling alone or mistreated even MORE alone and mistreated. Sure, it's a flag something is wrong but freaking out is adding fire to the fuel.
Art is the one place where opinion is appropriate and never wrong. People argue over politics and finances. Those things must be studied, facts must be gathered, and in those facts are solutions. People argue on these things because one side or the other is missing (or ignoring) facts making one side wrong. In true art, there is no wrong side.
Football serves its purpose. It instills the healthy competition (or it used to). War and fighting are unavoidable, but they should not be treated like a past time or the answer to every problem. They should protect that which cannot protect itself; which includes art.
The arts, however, need to be given as much attention as those things if not more. It's not men or women; it is people. Artistry the thing that makes a difference between Justin Beiber or One Direction and Mozart or Imogene Heap. It's the thing that connects us, regardless of all of our differences. It is a weapon that we can use against lack of education, anger management, lack of focus, broken families, confusion.
I once went to a small town red neck bar for karaoke and got the strangest looks. I hesitated but got up and sang. These blue collar men and women gave me a standing ovation. Art.
Christianity is quick to talk about "creation." The fact that God created everything and that men and women "created" (babies, arks, homes, furniture, fabrics, etc). If you believe that there is a God, creating something truly beautiful has got to be one of the "creations" he encouraged of man.
Civilizations used to know that art was the key to wealth. When countries were developing, the leaders knew they needed culture for their cities to have value. Art needs to be as mandatory as Spanish and treated as poignant as sports. This is how we can change America for the better. This is how we can get closer to a heaven on Earth.
First, I want to answer the question "Why are the arts always the first considered to be cut when funding issues arise?" I believe it is fair to say that art programs, whether school or individual, are one of the areas the powers that be look to cut when they need more money. Could it be because they obviously cannot see the overall big picture, the value of the arts, and the scale of impact? Certainly putting on a stage production of Steel Magnolias won't put food on the table, end a war, or cure cancer.
But the biggest epidemic is that it isn't considered "masculine" enough. Don't believe me? I wanted to take my nephews to the live theatre, maybe get them involved. One of them said that acting was for girls.
Really? I didn't realize that Bruce Willis, wrestler Dwayne Johnson, and Ice-T were women. Now, yes he is a little boy but if that is what he thinks now how will he appreciate and value that as an adult. He does not have to be an artist. In fact, his natural personality leans towards sports and it is obvious he loves it. Does that mean he can't go to an art museum or attend the symphony? Tell me a mature, stable, and worthy woman who does not appreciate a man who can scream at the Superbowl but also respect a Bazille painting.
So, I said that a play would not cure cancer and so forth. Let me take that back. The arts have been proven to stimulate the mind. From Beethoven for Babies cd's to the magic of a falling chandelier at Phantom of the Opera, the brain is exercised by these creations just like a workout strengthens the bi-ceps. Creativity is where true problem-solving skills come from. Say whaaaaa...? Yes, it does. Think about it.
If you were the man who studied art enough to be able to create those old "hidden image" posters, then you must be able to figure out ways around problems. If you can imagine an image that doesn't exist, then you can imagine a solution to a problem that seemingly doesn't exist. Sharp problem solving skills is what makes a good leader, a good project manager...be it a President or a fast food worker.
In the 90's, some pro-football players discovered the benefit of ballet...YES, I said BALLET! Stop questioning me!!! They realized that the strict and difficult lessons taught in that field of dance could be applied to movement on the field to not only reduce injury but make them better players.
The arts are not less masculine...they are masculinity with more finesse. It's masculinity with a dash of intelligence to go with it. Cavemen drew on walls for crying out loud! They didn't leave that for the women. Storytelling was part and is part of many cultures and men are as involved (if not more) than women.
Let me assure you, working a 40 hour job then spending 2-4 hours lifting heavy wooden platforms and furniture is not "easy." Memorizing almost a hundred pages of lines is not "easy." Taking a violin and creating a sound that makes people ready to fight or cry is a form of power. Ask an average stranger off the street to paint the voice of God...and only an artist would understand the request and produce an answer.
We should not be fighting in wars and having personal civil battles with our neighbors for the sake of "fighting." We should be at war to protect and preserve one of the things that separate us from barbarians and animals; our ability to make the world a better place to look at and listen to. Otherwise, when the dust settles from our war, we will be left with a depressing and ugly environment that has absolutely no value.
Picture that typical child or teen, dealing with the drama of hormones, heartbreaks, and responsibilities. They instinctively turn to poetry, painting, or photography to cope. They have usually not had the time or experience to know how to deal with a lot of things, but expressing that in a way that doesn't involve shooting up a school or running away from home has got to be encouraged. It's why I hate that schools, parents, and families over react to drawings that may be a little dark or morbid. I wrote things all the time that may have sounded mental, but once I wrote them those thoughts down I was usually over them. Jumping on their case and kicking them out of school over a drawing would most likely make a kid who is already feeling alone or mistreated even MORE alone and mistreated. Sure, it's a flag something is wrong but freaking out is adding fire to the fuel.
Art is the one place where opinion is appropriate and never wrong. People argue over politics and finances. Those things must be studied, facts must be gathered, and in those facts are solutions. People argue on these things because one side or the other is missing (or ignoring) facts making one side wrong. In true art, there is no wrong side.
Football serves its purpose. It instills the healthy competition (or it used to). War and fighting are unavoidable, but they should not be treated like a past time or the answer to every problem. They should protect that which cannot protect itself; which includes art.
The arts, however, need to be given as much attention as those things if not more. It's not men or women; it is people. Artistry the thing that makes a difference between Justin Beiber or One Direction and Mozart or Imogene Heap. It's the thing that connects us, regardless of all of our differences. It is a weapon that we can use against lack of education, anger management, lack of focus, broken families, confusion.
I once went to a small town red neck bar for karaoke and got the strangest looks. I hesitated but got up and sang. These blue collar men and women gave me a standing ovation. Art.
Christianity is quick to talk about "creation." The fact that God created everything and that men and women "created" (babies, arks, homes, furniture, fabrics, etc). If you believe that there is a God, creating something truly beautiful has got to be one of the "creations" he encouraged of man.
Civilizations used to know that art was the key to wealth. When countries were developing, the leaders knew they needed culture for their cities to have value. Art needs to be as mandatory as Spanish and treated as poignant as sports. This is how we can change America for the better. This is how we can get closer to a heaven on Earth.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Lauren Hill, You Philisophical Whack Job!
Singer, Lauryn Hill, has a song called "Everything Is Everything". This entry is about how we look at the world and our own actions/behavior.
Most seemingly healthy (or confident) people seem to apply all the positive things to themselves when hearing general opinions. Then, if they hear something negative, they think of all the people they know that commit the act.
Example: "I can't stand liars. They are the worst kind of people"
Figment of my imagination, "Parker" reads that statement and thinks 'Oh, I agree with that. I've had this person lie to me and that person lie to me. I have no patience for liars."
Example2: "Patty Bo Batty helped all of those kids. She's so generous."
"Parker" reads that statement and thinks "I helped those kids, too. Why didn't I get any credit? People never remark on the good things I do."
Now, you might be surprised to find out that "Parker" just lied to his boss about how her new dress looks on her, to his best friend about why he can't help move furniture, and about farting in the elevator. So, Parker jumps on the bandwagon about liars, but he himself is a liar. Is Parker a bad person? No. Has Parker really taken time to think about his own behavior and how that statement might apply to him?
Example 2 might be more accurate if we added the fact that Parker also called one of his co-workers a b*tch behind her back. He also doesn't do any of the work he is supposed to do, but he does help the kids. Does his working with those kids really make up for him name-calling or allowing all of his co-workers to carry the rest of his load?
I say all this to say, as you read this (or any other written observation or advice), apply it to yourself first. Do YOU do these things or say these things? Can you see yourself doing them? Don't think about the rest of the world, because you can't control other people. You can only control your actions and reactions.
Now, let's move on to Lauryn Hill's song title. "Everything is everything" This means take NOTHING for granted. Don't assume ANYTHING you do, say, or encounter does not carry influence. Etiquette and general guidelines for manners were designed with this in mind.
People worried about being "politically correct" are overdosing on this thought, while those that open their mouth and operate like cable tv (with no filter for what comes out) are malnourished.
I shouldn't be worried about offending people because I said "girl" instead of "woman". However, people should not walk up to a woman and think that "What's up, B*tch?" is appropriate. It's a mixture of common sense, intention, and respect.
Imagine a ten year old boy hearing you say "What up, B*tch?" to your bestest girlfriend. No matter what you or his parents (if the kid isn't yours) SAY to him, he is going to think (especially as he gets older) that "b*tch" is an acceptable thing to call women. Maybe your bestest girlfriend is emotionally or psychologically abused at home, being called a "b*tch" on a regular basis by her spouse before he hits her. But she puts a smile on her face out in public because, hey...who wants the world to know that embarrassing scenario?
Maybe you decide to go out the night before work, knowing that you need to go to your son's school in the morning before hand. You wake up cranky, fighting a hangover...you either go into school with a bad attitude and blame it on the teacher "being a b*tch", take it out on your son for having to go in, or you miss it all together. Then, your son doesn't think you care, the school sees your son as a failure, and you've ruined that whole day simply because you HAD to drink the night before.
I always think of Spiderman when pondering this "everything is everything" philosophy. Before he became Spiderman, he had the chance to stop a criminal but said that it wasn't his problem. Later, he feels like crap because that same criminal who he let get away, kills his uncle.
You have to start believing that everything you do and say has influence over the world around you in ways that you NEVER will realize. People must try to accept that. It does not mean that you should be so uptight that you never joke, relax, or enjoy life. I do mean that I feel people would get along better if they tried their best to apologize when they make someone upset, without being defensive. In turn, those offended should accept apologies from someone who truly meant no offense and then let it go (unless it becomes a habit). Watch what you say and do, be classy and respectful, and apologize when you fail to do so.
Some of you will say something along the lines of "I can't please everyone" or "I'm can't watch what I say and do 24/7. I'm going to offend someone." To you, I say "Quit being f*cking lazy." If you have a problem of being offensive, work on it. The more you do, the easier it will get with time. It's not a quality to let whatever you want to fall out of your mouth offending others, it's a flaw. Society today appears to think "keeping it real" means saying whatever comes into your mind and not caring what others think or do (see entry "Care Bear Stare, Fool")
Everything is everything.
I think most people will respect that.
POINT: No matter who you are, you have great power and influence...over someone. You can either be a good influence or a bad influence over those people you encounter.
Most seemingly healthy (or confident) people seem to apply all the positive things to themselves when hearing general opinions. Then, if they hear something negative, they think of all the people they know that commit the act.
Example: "I can't stand liars. They are the worst kind of people"
Figment of my imagination, "Parker" reads that statement and thinks 'Oh, I agree with that. I've had this person lie to me and that person lie to me. I have no patience for liars."
Example2: "Patty Bo Batty helped all of those kids. She's so generous."
"Parker" reads that statement and thinks "I helped those kids, too. Why didn't I get any credit? People never remark on the good things I do."
Now, you might be surprised to find out that "Parker" just lied to his boss about how her new dress looks on her, to his best friend about why he can't help move furniture, and about farting in the elevator. So, Parker jumps on the bandwagon about liars, but he himself is a liar. Is Parker a bad person? No. Has Parker really taken time to think about his own behavior and how that statement might apply to him?
Example 2 might be more accurate if we added the fact that Parker also called one of his co-workers a b*tch behind her back. He also doesn't do any of the work he is supposed to do, but he does help the kids. Does his working with those kids really make up for him name-calling or allowing all of his co-workers to carry the rest of his load?
I say all this to say, as you read this (or any other written observation or advice), apply it to yourself first. Do YOU do these things or say these things? Can you see yourself doing them? Don't think about the rest of the world, because you can't control other people. You can only control your actions and reactions.
Now, let's move on to Lauryn Hill's song title. "Everything is everything" This means take NOTHING for granted. Don't assume ANYTHING you do, say, or encounter does not carry influence. Etiquette and general guidelines for manners were designed with this in mind.
People worried about being "politically correct" are overdosing on this thought, while those that open their mouth and operate like cable tv (with no filter for what comes out) are malnourished.
I shouldn't be worried about offending people because I said "girl" instead of "woman". However, people should not walk up to a woman and think that "What's up, B*tch?" is appropriate. It's a mixture of common sense, intention, and respect.
Imagine a ten year old boy hearing you say "What up, B*tch?" to your bestest girlfriend. No matter what you or his parents (if the kid isn't yours) SAY to him, he is going to think (especially as he gets older) that "b*tch" is an acceptable thing to call women. Maybe your bestest girlfriend is emotionally or psychologically abused at home, being called a "b*tch" on a regular basis by her spouse before he hits her. But she puts a smile on her face out in public because, hey...who wants the world to know that embarrassing scenario?
Maybe you decide to go out the night before work, knowing that you need to go to your son's school in the morning before hand. You wake up cranky, fighting a hangover...you either go into school with a bad attitude and blame it on the teacher "being a b*tch", take it out on your son for having to go in, or you miss it all together. Then, your son doesn't think you care, the school sees your son as a failure, and you've ruined that whole day simply because you HAD to drink the night before.
I always think of Spiderman when pondering this "everything is everything" philosophy. Before he became Spiderman, he had the chance to stop a criminal but said that it wasn't his problem. Later, he feels like crap because that same criminal who he let get away, kills his uncle.
You have to start believing that everything you do and say has influence over the world around you in ways that you NEVER will realize. People must try to accept that. It does not mean that you should be so uptight that you never joke, relax, or enjoy life. I do mean that I feel people would get along better if they tried their best to apologize when they make someone upset, without being defensive. In turn, those offended should accept apologies from someone who truly meant no offense and then let it go (unless it becomes a habit). Watch what you say and do, be classy and respectful, and apologize when you fail to do so.
Some of you will say something along the lines of "I can't please everyone" or "I'm can't watch what I say and do 24/7. I'm going to offend someone." To you, I say "Quit being f*cking lazy." If you have a problem of being offensive, work on it. The more you do, the easier it will get with time. It's not a quality to let whatever you want to fall out of your mouth offending others, it's a flaw. Society today appears to think "keeping it real" means saying whatever comes into your mind and not caring what others think or do (see entry "Care Bear Stare, Fool")
Everything is everything.
I think most people will respect that.
POINT: No matter who you are, you have great power and influence...over someone. You can either be a good influence or a bad influence over those people you encounter.
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