The Masquerade

If there is one thing that is clear to me after reading the assigned articles on immigration and popular culture, it is that we are all on a similar quest searching for many of the same things: identity, validation, importance, and acceptance. It is not by way of accident that popular culture mirrors history through music, television, plays, especially during times of social upheaval. It is at times of war, during the Civil Rights Movement, immigration laws, that inspire all people to act in some way. It seems only natural that the artists, musicians, playwrights, and spiritual gurus would focus their talents on creating social, economic, and political change. It is in one way something that unifies a group or groups of people around a common purpose and serves for historians a documentation of that time period.

With that said, I do believe that change is sometimes needed. In order to assimilate our beliefs with that of another, we sometimes need to participate in the masquerade. From our birth until our death, we are trying to find our niche, our place in this world. It is a constant struggle, a constant journey where we are trying to find out who we are, what we stand for in all facets of our lives. This is when we may also experiment with masking our identities to try on the identity of another. In many ways this might be looked at as a form of escapism or teenage angst or rebellion. The same cultural quest that began in the 1920's with gangster films to the cultural search for acceptance by the Puerto Ricans in the West End Story is still ever present in society today. Race matters. The way in which we learn about others cultural beliefs and life experiences that may differ from ours matters. It is truly finding that bridge between the two that many of the hippies of the 60's were trying to forge. We still see this 60's ideal in our entertainment industry today where people try to educate the public on issues like the genocide in Darfur with bands like U2 at the forefront. We see this with Madonna as referred to in the article we just read by using henna on her hands in one of her videos. We see it with certain actresses such as Madonna and Britney Spears wearing the red string on their wrist that symbolizes the Kaballah. These are very public figures that in a way are either on a spiritual journey finding out who they are or what they stand for or even another subtle example of cultural assimilation.

One of the many parts of the articles assigned that I was not familiar was that of minstrels. I have heard of the term "black face"before and only recently learned more about it in another class. I did find it interesting that Jewish people used this form of entertainment to assimilate with white culture. Again, just another example how we mask our true identities to fit in. What is clear is that every immigrant needed their niche to feel like they belonged in American society. Some associated with crime, opening their own store, and acting in minstrels. Being of Italian heritage and being very familiar with the mafia as portrayed by Hollywood (even though I am related to mafia members in New York) I was shocked that the Jewish mafia was so prevalent. I guess growing up when people referred to the mafia, I just automatically thought Italian.

Equally intriguing was the way in which movies were censored in the past. The control that certain organizations had over media and what was produced was mind boggling. The idea that the gangster "hero" was not allowed to be glamorized too much and must face a tragic fate seems too contrived or better yet too predictable. Even so, my love of mafia movies such as the Godfather, Scarface, American Gangster, The Sopranos comes from this fascination of this type of urban lifestyle that seems so far removed from my rural farm community I grew up in. More than that, I like to analyze the human character and the flaws we all possess. The masks we see the actors wearing in the movies are the masks we still see today. We see this with our students as they try to form their own identities many times trying on different cultural masks as a way to express themselves and find their niche. Instead of understanding that this type of cultural masquerade is a way for people, including young people to explore their own views in regards to culture, we tend to discredit the behavior as not being authentic. It is because of this, that I hope that through this racial masquerade it will give us the tools necessary to be more open-minded and tolerant to other cultural beliefs and customs. In doing this, I believe we will become a better and stronger country that our children and grandchildren can be proud of.

Modified Lesson from National Geographic

After reading the assigned lesson, I believe that a few changes or additions could be made due to the area in which I teach. In regards to cultural perspectives in relation to race specifically, it would be hard to make any connections because my school is primarily white. I believe it would be interesting to have students do the lesson as is, but adding a second part that looks at specific cultural capital from other cultures. Students could then research their importance in relation to their culture of origin. This would hopefully give the student population where I teach a broader understanding of the diversity they should already be familiar.

Another interesting addition might be to have students bring in media representations that they love. They could bring in their favorite movies, bands, songs, television shows, celebrities and compare/contrast the different medias brought into the classroom. Then, we could have a good discussion about what these things say about our culture, society, and more importantly what we value.

Bring in Da Noise

In reading the article, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in DuBois: Infusing an African-American Educational Ideology into the Urban Discourse, I found the message to be clear: educational reform is needed. Not educational reform like the No Child Left Behind Act, but real educational reform that allows all students, regardless of race, to be given access to the same quality education. As a student teacher in the 1990s in an inner city middle school in Minneaoplis, I was appalled and angered by the lack of resources these children were given. When I walked into the classroom, I noticed that there were not even enough desks or chairs, not enough books for the students to learn, and they were packed forty in a classroom with no windows or adequate room. This to me was a disgrace, and could see from the faces of many of the students that were in the class that they agreed with me. From their perspective, it was clear that the educational system didn't care for them.

Which led me to the article recently published in the Atlantic Monthly by Matt Miller, titled First Kill All The School Boards. In order to eradicate failing schools, we must first eradicate school boards. In his article, he looked specifically at other countries that educational systems thrived and so did the students. He found that in these schools, they trained their teachers as well as they trained their military, and clearly believed in the importance of a good education. They also had national standards that everyone followed which added to consistency in all curricular areas regardless of what school students went to. We live in a nation that should be able to grant the best education for ALL students, and yet we are still mediocre at best. My question to you is why are we so behind compared to other countries?

The Future of Race

In the article the Future of Race: Identity, Discourse, and the Rise of Computer-mediated Public Spheres, by Dara N. Byrne, I was unaware of these racial online websites such as Asian Avenue, Black Planet, or MiGente which appeals to younger generations of Asians, African Americans, and Latinos. This seems to be somewhat of an underground movement that allows Asians, African Americans, and Latinos to talk openly and freely about issues that they and their communities are concerned with. I think that this is a great forum for youth to have in order to make sense of the world and who they are.

Furthermore, I found it particularly interesting that most topics discussed among these youth were broken down into the following categories: relationships, heritage/identity, religion/spirituality, current events, and finance. According to Byrne's article, the most popular threads are relationships and heritage/identity. Since teenagers by nature tend to be very ego-centric, I found it hopeful that issues such as race/heritage made the top of the list. I think in order to change society and move in the right direction, we need to address these issues openly using these chat rooms as a place to hopefully vent and then organize for change.

We see this movement in action specifically in Barack Obama's presidential campaign and how the ineternet has made an impact in allowing his message of change to reach millions of people in a fast and efficient manner. If he can succeed to not only get the young voters to hear his message and then act on it by voting, this could not only be a historical moment in history for race, but for the technology age as well.

Pop Videos..

After watching Lil Kim's video I was somewhat appalled eventhough I know that she is the type of singer that likes to push the envelope. All I kept thinking to myself is that my daughter some day will probably be watching videos like this. Knowing that they are not going to go away any time soon, it is my job as a parent then to teach my daughter how to look at media through a critical lens.

In Fiona Apple's video, she too, was using her sexuality to sell her music. Although this one was sexually charged, I did not find this one to be in my face as much as Lil Kim's.

Lastly, Avril Levine's video seemed to be the most traditional. Girl likes boy. Boy messes up. Girl moves on. This to me was a more wholesome view of teenage love.

In all, I believe that a women can be strong and in charge of her sexuality without throwing it out there in such a negative way.

Growing up Barbie

As a child growing up in the 70's I am one of those generations like many others that played with the barbie doll. Like Speigel's article clearly points out, barbie symbolized female bonding and role play in the fantasy world. I never looked at barbie as a sex object, granted I understand that no one can fit the body image that barbie portrays. However, as a young child who loved to play barbies, I can't say that I felt that barbie gave me a poor self image. In my quest to better understand this view, I asked my eight year old daughter to share with me what she thinks of the barbie doll. She, too saw barbie the same way that I did. She looked at the barbie doll as role playing much that she would do with any of her other dolls. She also enjoys going to everything girl which is a barbie website. As far as I am concerned barbie is not a threat to young girls at all.

Juno

Last night, my husband and I went to see the movie Juno. I wasn't sure what to expect, but from every person that I had spoken to that had seen the movie stated how great it was. People said that you will laugh and cry and appreciate the twin city references.

Suprisingly enough, all of these people were right. I have not been to a movie in a long time that has touched me on so many different levels all at the same time. The movie was truly a raw look at what it would be like if you were a teen facing pregnancy. Not only was it a real portrayal of youth, but also the awkwardness of the teen years, and your first "true" love. More than that, it also delved into relationships such as family, single parenthood, cliques in school and exposed vulnerability.

It also made a great point of revealing this notion that rich suburbanites have such a perfect and happy life really breaking that stereotype and really presenting people with real problems. I was very much touched with the stepmother and the father of Juno who were completely supportive of her from the start. One scene in the movie where the father is speaking to his wife in private and says,"how could this have happened? Substance abuse, DWI, expulsion would have been easier to deal with, and his wife says, It happened because when teenagers are bored, they have sex." Furthermore, they were at her side supporting her throughout the process and allowed her to come to the conclusion on her own on whether to have an abortion, give it up for adoption, or keep it. I thought that this was something very admirable that too often you do not see. We are used to more judgement and ridicule from a society that does not take the time to think about what people may be going through in this situaton. Overall, it is definitely a must see if you haven't seen it already. Here is the Juno trailer.