THIS movie made me BAWL last night. Dang.
I know it’s been forever since this movie was made and that I’ve been putting off renting this movie… Last night was a movie night for me so I finally got this movie and … wow.
The night before, I was with friends and we popped in “American History X” and even though I’ve seen it before, it still shocked me to my core. I left before we got to the sidewalk curb part *shudder*
I guess it just still shocks me, how blatant racism and heterosexism and all the other -ism’s (especially audism) is so strong in our country. Every time an incident happens and it’s clear that discrimination was at hand, I just can’t believe it. I have a very hard time understanding why people feel that sort of hatred towards another human being.
Of course, we can go back in time and look at all the different theories and societial influences that have led to all the -ism’s that are happening still today… but it’s stil lthe same old song and story. NO excuse. It happened, period. Now why it’s STILL happening, I don’t get it. Maybe I’m just sheltered by my “white, blonde, blue-eyed American privilege”… but does that make it okay? Of course not. Maybe people who are not white, blonde, or blue-eyed are looking at me and saying “You have noooooo idea” and that’s probably true since I don’t have the same life experience as so many other people in our world… but many people also don’t have my experience. Why should that separate us? We ALL have different experiences- some more traumatic than others, but why can’t we contribute our unique experiences towards some necessary change?
Ha, I’m probably a huge idealist. My dad did shake his head when I told him I hold more liberal views than conservative views- and he said, “Just WAIT ’til you start paying taxes!”
I guess in this case, ignorance is truly a bliss… but I feel guilty not doing anything about it. By becoming a bystander and nodding when something happens, saying “That’s the way it is. Life sucks”… I’m contributing to the -ism itself. That’s just ridiculous.
Now this is the point after I end my ranting and I realize I still haven’t thought of clear possible solutions… other than speaking up about it. That does make a difference… not enough, but it’s something.
What else is there? Share.
And if you haven’t seen these movies, go watch them. Plenty of other movies like those two, as well.
I totally agree with u on everything. Its hard to figure out a solution to all the -isms when there are so many. But it is a step in recogonizing them and speaking up. You never know who will listen to what you have to say.
Take care,
Ms. Bukenya
p.s I too loved Philidelphia.
Yep… we must first reflect on our own and with each other about the world around us before action can be taken. The reflections themselves ARE a form of action, though
The rest of the “-ism” are still running in our diversity life. People who havent got those tiring and thankless experiences by stereotypes, mis-determaination, discrimation… haven’t realized the real slap in the face. I’m sure they will in some day. Maybe they will response it heartful, or find it just a dull and move on like nothing was happened. THAT is still flowing around our own actual eyes.
For the part of the Philadephia movie, I really understand how this character with AIDS felt. I’ve been through the tough times being exposed with my co-workers, my friends, and my family about my HIV status. It’s not pretty in sight. IT is like being a gay cinderlla guy who had been bashed just for having this disease. Stabbed, slashed, laughted at, … you name it.
But, most of times- we’ve become pretty stronger, and smarter. Today, we are very fortunate to have the high numberous of openly minded people, and are very acceptable with who we are. Actually, we are also lucky not to be mark out apart to drink water labeled ” Clean People ” and ” Infected People “- similiar to the slave history of african americans experienced.
Anyway, enough of my comment to your previous gblog comment.
Take care!
- Kaelo