Oh Please Just Make A Deal

Grey’s Anatomy has consistently high ratings, which is something I expected. I actually went looking for the ratings for Heroes. Heroes, my current TV addiction has had no new episodes (or old episodes for that matter) since our spring break. Instead, NBC has aired back to back episodes of Deal or No Deal. Apparently people enjoy Deal or No Deal, because it is a top rated show, ranking 11th for the season and 8th for the week. Is this why Heroes has not been on? Is it because Deal or No Deal gets viewers? All I know is that I do not enjoy the program and I want to watch Heroes. It seems to me as though changing a day or time would alter any show’s ratings. For example, if Deal or No Deal aired at the same time as Grey’s Anatomy, Deal or No Deal would likely suffer because it recieves half the number of viewers. Grey's is a hit show in an established time slot, which probably gives it preference to loyal viewers.

On Sociology, Gender, and Self

I consider myself a feminist. Many times, confusion arises about what feminist means. The negative connotation is a male-bashing, bra-burning, hairy-legged, violent female. I explain my own perspective as wanting equality for men and women. Yes, I can get fierce in my arguments, and sometimes sound like I hate men or think women are superior. I think anyone who feels a situation is unjust develops a certain amount of anger, and I have learned that a lot of times, especially in discussion, if I am trying to compromise and another is trying to win, I will always lose. I mention all of this to preface my point. As we read about oppression, I find myself relating it to the situation of women. When we read about dominant groups and discrimination against different races, whether these texts talk about gender or not, I connect the argument to oppression of women.

While the content of this class is not cheery, some of the concepts are cathartic for me. I am sometimes frustrated with how “female” I am. I realize that this is a bit of a contradiction to my feminist tendencies. If I believe women and men are equal, why do I feel that I should be less like a woman/ girl/ female? I am sometimes self-conscious when I cry feeling as though my tears are validating every stereotype about women. I have been called emotional (actually I get that a lot) and I either get angry… emotional… or I try to suppress things I would otherwise express. It’s hard to look at the “place of women,” wanting to be a living contradiction to everything awful that people say, all the while knowing that I only have one lifetime and there are too many variations for one person to embody. Oddly enough, I take some comfort from what Keith Osajima writes about internalized racism. He writes that “The desire to resemble the oppressor, to imitate and follow him implies a degree of self-dissatisfaction among the oppressed a belief that perhaps it is better to be like ‘them’ because who we are is not good enough, or smart enough, or beautiful enough.” (Osajima 140 emphasis added). As I read this I thought, wait, I think like that! Here, Osajima is not talking about the experiences of women, he is talking about the effects of racism on the oppressed. Despite his topic specific address, his argument applies to many different kinds of oppression. I myself make a connection to the oppression of women. I can relate to the internalization that Osajima addresses.

I find Osajima’s discussion comforting because it validates things that I have felt and thought. If you give his argument has weight, then entire cultures feel the same way. This means that I feel at times uncomfortable to associate too much with all that is feminine, not because I am weak or emotional or too much like my “fairer sex,” but because oppresion has this kind of effect. Dominant culture sends the message that men are ideal while women are weak, emotional, in need of protection, dependant, and the list of derogatory associations goes on. I am living in a culture that sends the message that who I am is not okay, is lesser, and that gets to me; that hurts all people.

Are You Down With G-O-D?

Saved is a 2004 film directed by Brian Dannelly, starring Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, and Patrick Fugit. The film follows a troupe of teenagers into the hallowed halls of American Eagle Christian High School. These less than typical teenagers run into all kinds of hypocrisy when one of their friends confesses he is gay, sparking a chain of incidents that are both humorous and critical of close minded reactions, especially within typical Christianity. Dealing with teen pregnancy, homosexuality, infidelity, physical disabilities, and religion with a sarcastic humor, Saved is not your everyday teen movie.

The purpose of the film is to criticize the hypocrisy, judgmental preaching, and closed mindedness that is often a characteristic of (American) Christianity. Saved accomplishes its goal for the most part. While it falls a little short toward the end with a “preachy” speech from Jena Malone’s character. Malone’s speech seems to do exactly what has been mocked throughout the film; preach. A friend of mine said that the end of the film “takes the easy way out.” Despite this valid criticism, the film is overall enjoyable and critical of presumptions.

While focus on the family says that “the filmmakers are far too busy taking vituperative pot shots at Christ and His followers to care much about creating constructive criticism,” I say that the film is hilarious and worth seeing, especially if you can handle a few jokes at the expense of Christianity. In my opinion much of the criticism is valid as well.

Crash and Burn?

Crash, directed by Paul Haggis, has a stellar cast and a gripping story line. The purpose of the film is to explore and criticize racial (not just black and white) interactions and misunderstandings within the United States. The film begins in the present and then follows the complex events leading up to that point and briefly beyond. Shots stay close up rarely letting the audience sit back and relax. The camera zooms close to the action and emotion, and stays there. Crash is not a film designed to make you comfortable. Pulling you into the sometimes violent, passionate, desperate, but always vivid emotions, the film urges you to examine your own prejudices while almost experiencing the prejudices taking place on screen.

As I mentioned, the emotion is high in this film and there I would argue is much of the films power. While the film is powerful, it is also a little contrived. The dense interrelation of characters, intense situations, and the way almost every character can be seen as both good and evil are extreme. I think the over-the-top element serves to make a point and is necessary for the spirit of the film, especially given the time constraint. However, the harsh reality of the issues discussed may strike some as sentimental because of the contrived elements of the plot.

Thinking of this film in light of cultivation theory, I would be curious what kind of reaction this film would elicit from a person determined to be unaffected by it. Overall, I think Crash is a film worth anyone’s time because of the issues it deals with, the performances given and finally because of its emotional pull, although sometimes despite it. The intensity makes the characters relatable and detestable in turn; in essence, human.

Who Tube?

Philo T. Farnsworth: the man the myth the legend. Wait a second who? Have I heard this legend? The truth is, no, you have probably not heard anything at all about this man. Why? It seems to me like another case of “the winners write the history.” RCA, having won patent battles, would not be likely to publicize Philo T. Farnsworth’s true role in the invention of the television. Why should they? It would be bad for business to draw attention to such a seedy underbelly.

In light of our sociology class, RCA was the dominant group due to sheer volume and economic reasons. A majority in the sense of numbers, RCA with its deep pockets and established status had the power over Farnsworth. As the “Domination and Subordination” reading states “a dominant group, inevitably, has the greatest influence in determining a culture’s overall outlook—its philosophy, morality, social theory, and even its science.” RCA meets the aforementioned criteria of dominant. The fact that Farnsworth remains little known is evidence of the power exercised. Class and economic status can cause discrimination as well as race, gender, etc. Not having the resources to go toe to toe with RCA, is an example of economic disability in the case of Farnsworth.