I just got back from watching Shrek, the Musical at the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/. The woman who walked out ahead of me said they have been attending for the entire 10 years, and this was the best musical yet. I seconded the sentiment. I have not been to all of the plays, but I have been to at least one every year, including some of my most favorite musicals (I have a lot of most favorite musicals.)
Before I saw the play, I did not know what the story was. I never saw Shrek, the Movie. I know this was billed as a family play, and it was, but I suspect a lot of the word play was lost on the little kids. The couple sitting next to me "got it," but a lot of the other adults around me did not react if they "got it." How sad. There was so much "lesson" about differences in people in this play. Maybe this is a must see and discuss the lessons kind of play on one level. On another level, it was pure entertainment.
Thank you, Moonlight Musicals.
Showing posts with label cultural differences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cultural differences. Show all posts
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Being Distant Does Not Mean Being Different
A member of my extended family is nearing the end of her life. She is very brave, and through Face book, has kept us apprised of her circumstances. We have not been close in our adult lives, but we are still related.
This situation reminds me that although we may be geographically distant, that does not mean that we should separate our hearts. Geography knows no bounds when love is involved.
This situation also reminds me that being different is a kind of separation. But, being different should not separate our hearts. Indeed, being different is not a reason to separate our hearts, but is a reason to recognize our differences, and more importantly, recognize and rejoice in our similarities.
This situation reminds me that although we may be geographically distant, that does not mean that we should separate our hearts. Geography knows no bounds when love is involved.
This situation also reminds me that being different is a kind of separation. But, being different should not separate our hearts. Indeed, being different is not a reason to separate our hearts, but is a reason to recognize our differences, and more importantly, recognize and rejoice in our similarities.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Latino Americans
PBS is airing a series called Latino Americans http://www.pbs.org/search/?q=Latino%20Americans. I have watched some of this. I believe it is a very well done series. It explores the various aspects of the Latin Americans, and their many, many stories. Latin Americans include the historical Americans who were of Spanish descent in the early years of the United States. It includes the people from Mexico, from Central America, from Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Although somewhat less dramatic, but not totally less traumatic, especially for the individuals and families involved, the discrimination against Latin Americans was not always as intense and ingrained as it was against the Afro Americans. But even as the discrimination was perpetrated, it was hurtful and inhumane. It was inexcusable and unacceptable. And it continues to sometimes relegate Latino Americans to second class citizenship.
No discrimination is acceptable. Although the United States has legislated equality, those laws are not always enforced as intended. There are still many, many barriers for peoples to overcome.
Maybe the series about Latino Americans will shed some honest light on their history, and offer some source of pride to those Hispanic Americans who watch the show.
Although somewhat less dramatic, but not totally less traumatic, especially for the individuals and families involved, the discrimination against Latin Americans was not always as intense and ingrained as it was against the Afro Americans. But even as the discrimination was perpetrated, it was hurtful and inhumane. It was inexcusable and unacceptable. And it continues to sometimes relegate Latino Americans to second class citizenship.
No discrimination is acceptable. Although the United States has legislated equality, those laws are not always enforced as intended. There are still many, many barriers for peoples to overcome.
Maybe the series about Latino Americans will shed some honest light on their history, and offer some source of pride to those Hispanic Americans who watch the show.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Did I Ever Tell You?
Did I ever tell you how difficult it was for me to adjust to the semi-arid desert of Lubbock, when I moved here. I hated the flat, dry, brown lands. When I needed relief, I would go out to Ransom Canyon or Buffalo Springs Lake, for the hills, and water, even though the water was brown. So often those early years, and even now, I miss the hills, green, trees, and water. I would frequently go out to the canyons and hills in the parks of Lubbock, or outside of Lubbock, and sing to my self the songs I could remember from "The Sound of Music." Specifically, I would sing about the hills being alive with the sound of music. Mind you, this was before tape players were inexpensive, and other sorts of music players were not even invented. My singing is atrocious, and I could not remember all of the words.
But, I made Lubbock my home. I learned to adjust. In fact, when I go back east, and the trees, and buildings close in around me, I feel claustrophobic, because I cannot see the wide open spaces and especially the sunsets.
I still have nostalgia for the love of hills that I have. I have become a flat lander, though, because I need the wide open spaces. The assimilation of this is when I am at the top of the hills and can see the wide open spaces. That is the best!
But, I made Lubbock my home. I learned to adjust. In fact, when I go back east, and the trees, and buildings close in around me, I feel claustrophobic, because I cannot see the wide open spaces and especially the sunsets.
I still have nostalgia for the love of hills that I have. I have become a flat lander, though, because I need the wide open spaces. The assimilation of this is when I am at the top of the hills and can see the wide open spaces. That is the best!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Indian Heritage
I have been watching major league baseball tonight http://mlb.mlb.com/home, becausee it is the post season, and I am interested in who will progress on to the World Series. The New York Yankees http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=nyy are out of it, but I am interested in how the Boston Red Sox http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bos do. The Boston Red Sox won against the Tampa Bay Rays http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tb. Then, the Los Angelese Dodgers http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la played against the Atlanta Braves http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=atl, and the Braves won.
Some years ago, there was some sort of public outcry about the Atlanta Braves using the American Indian or Native American name as part of there identity. Along with that outcry, there was public objection to the tomahawk chop and chant http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/4/30/2990244/how-the-atlanta-braves-adopted-the-tomahawk-chop-from-the-florida-state-seminoles. Well for whatever reason, this was not determined disrespectful and therefore was able to be continued in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the fan support cheer of the Atlanta Braves.
I grew up in the township of Montague, Massachusetts http://montaguema.com/. In this township were 5 villages: Millers Falls, Lake Pleasant, Montague Center, Montague City, and Turners Falls. Turners Falls was the biggest village, and the site of a Native American massacre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Turner's_Falls.
When we grew up, the Turners Falls High School sports teams were knows as the Indians. This was not meant as a derision of the Native Americans who lived and died in the area, but as an honorific. The yearbook annual was the Peske-Tuk, but I can no longer recall what that means, but apparently refers to the falls in the Connecticut River http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=5729&img=2&level=advanced&transcription=1
I think the Turners Falls team is now still called the Indians, although there was some time when this was considered derisive instead of honorific. I am glad the cooler heads have prevailed and the Indians prevail.
All of this to say that I think the Atlanta Braves honorific of Native Americans, including the tomahawk chop is just that, an honorific, and a tribute to Native American Indian Heritage.
Some years ago, there was some sort of public outcry about the Atlanta Braves using the American Indian or Native American name as part of there identity. Along with that outcry, there was public objection to the tomahawk chop and chant http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/4/30/2990244/how-the-atlanta-braves-adopted-the-tomahawk-chop-from-the-florida-state-seminoles. Well for whatever reason, this was not determined disrespectful and therefore was able to be continued in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the fan support cheer of the Atlanta Braves.
I grew up in the township of Montague, Massachusetts http://montaguema.com/. In this township were 5 villages: Millers Falls, Lake Pleasant, Montague Center, Montague City, and Turners Falls. Turners Falls was the biggest village, and the site of a Native American massacre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Turner's_Falls.
When we grew up, the Turners Falls High School sports teams were knows as the Indians. This was not meant as a derision of the Native Americans who lived and died in the area, but as an honorific. The yearbook annual was the Peske-Tuk, but I can no longer recall what that means, but apparently refers to the falls in the Connecticut River http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=5729&img=2&level=advanced&transcription=1
I think the Turners Falls team is now still called the Indians, although there was some time when this was considered derisive instead of honorific. I am glad the cooler heads have prevailed and the Indians prevail.
All of this to say that I think the Atlanta Braves honorific of Native Americans, including the tomahawk chop is just that, an honorific, and a tribute to Native American Indian Heritage.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Context is So Important
I know I have mentioned before how much I enjoy the movie "Desk Set" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050307/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm. This is the story of a research department for a network facing computerization in 1957, and being concerned about computers taking over jobs. It is also a romance, and a story about not discussing take overs to prevent changes in stock values. Do these issues sound familiar?
There is a line in the movie that did not make a whole lot of sense to me. Peg Costello, the Joan Blondell character, is describing Richard Sumner, the Spencer Tracy character, who is the computerization fiend. She makes the comment that she thinks he is one of those men who had recently started drinking vodka.
Today, I was listening to a story on NPR about soju, an alcoholic beverage from Korea http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/09/22/224522548/move-over-vodka-korean-sojus-taking-a-shot-at-america. The story reflects Korea's efforts to increase the market for soju in the United States. The story comments on the fact that until the 1950's, vodka was not very popular or common in the United States. I grew up thinking vodka was a common alcoholic beverage. What do I know. But it explains the comment in the movie.
I think about this. I wonder how much more rich a literary or cinematic experience would be if the consumer has a thorough knowledge of the customs, habits, and culture of the times. If historical information and events are known by the audience. We miss a lot otherwise, but sometimes, it cannot be helped.
There is a line in the movie that did not make a whole lot of sense to me. Peg Costello, the Joan Blondell character, is describing Richard Sumner, the Spencer Tracy character, who is the computerization fiend. She makes the comment that she thinks he is one of those men who had recently started drinking vodka.
Today, I was listening to a story on NPR about soju, an alcoholic beverage from Korea http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/09/22/224522548/move-over-vodka-korean-sojus-taking-a-shot-at-america. The story reflects Korea's efforts to increase the market for soju in the United States. The story comments on the fact that until the 1950's, vodka was not very popular or common in the United States. I grew up thinking vodka was a common alcoholic beverage. What do I know. But it explains the comment in the movie.
I think about this. I wonder how much more rich a literary or cinematic experience would be if the consumer has a thorough knowledge of the customs, habits, and culture of the times. If historical information and events are known by the audience. We miss a lot otherwise, but sometimes, it cannot be helped.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Butler
Once again, I will say that I do not watch Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" a lot. But I was watching tonight. Robin Williams was one of the guests, and he is in the movie "The Butler http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1327773/." As I understand it, this is a true story of a Black butler who served the Presidents in the White House. I am going to try to watch for this movie in Lubbock. I want to see it.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Jackie Robinson, A Biography
As I have previously mentioned, I went to see 42: The Jackie Robinson Story twice at the movie theater. This from someone who rarely goes to see a movie. I was very interested in the accuracy of the events, and found myself picking up a book at the library: Jackie Robinson, A Biography by Arnold Rampersad.
As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book. And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.
The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality. The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.
This was a very good book.
As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book. And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.
The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality. The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.
This was a very good book.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Impact of Sports on Our Lives
There are very many impacts of sports on our lives. I cannot begin to address all of those impacts, but there is one area of our lives that I want to address. And I want to address it by talking about two movies that specifically highlight this aspect of our lives.
The United States fought a War Between the North and the South http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/northandsouth.html over economic issues, specifically, but not only, the issue of slavery. By war's end, the black slaves of all states in the United States were declared emancipated http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/transcript.html.
However, Blacks were not treated well, nor as equals, nor allowed to integrate into our society for close to a hundred years after the war's end. Segregation was promulgated by "The Jim Crow Laws" http://www.nps.gov/malu/forteachers/jim_crow_laws.htm, not withstanding the fact that Integration technically became the law of the land in 1866 http://www.withylaw.com/history.htm. There are still racial problems in the United States, not with just the Blacks, but that is one of the areas of racism the United States still faces.
Although there have been Black soldiers in wars fought by the United States, beginning with the War for Independence http://www.army.mil/africanamericans/timeline.html, the United States military did not officially integrate until 1946 http://www.withylaw.com/history.htm. Even then, integration was not widely nor uniformly implemented. However, the integration of the United States military opened the door for other types of integrations.
Sports in the United States was a venue which saw integration after World War II. Yesterday, I went to watch the movie 42 http://42movie.warnerbros.com/, which is based on the story of Branch Rickey, Brooklyn Dodger executive, choosing Jackie Robinson as the first Negro player in Major League Baseball. I do not usually go to the movies. I went to see this movie the weekend it was released. A friend of mine wanted to see it, and invited me to join her. I enjoyed the movie more the second time, than I did the first, and saw things in it the second time that I missed the first time. And, I can tell you, I will see this movie many more times.
I have seen the movie Glory Road http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385726/ multiple times on TV or DVD. The story is about the 1966 NCAA Championship team, the Texas Western Miners, http://gloryroad.utep.edu/home.aspx, which started 5 black players in the championship game, the first such team to win a championship. Did Coach Don Haskins set out to integrate NCAA basketball on a grand scale? From watching the movie, he just set out to win. And win he did. But that championship game is considered one of, if not the most important basketball games in NCAA history.
These two stories are a prime example of how sports impacts our lives. Integration was a long, emotional, hard fought, and bloody battle. It did not go smoothly in sports any more than it went in many other aspect of our lives. But sports has had a major impact on integration.
The United States fought a War Between the North and the South http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/northandsouth.html over economic issues, specifically, but not only, the issue of slavery. By war's end, the black slaves of all states in the United States were declared emancipated http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/transcript.html.
However, Blacks were not treated well, nor as equals, nor allowed to integrate into our society for close to a hundred years after the war's end. Segregation was promulgated by "The Jim Crow Laws" http://www.nps.gov/malu/forteachers/jim_crow_laws.htm, not withstanding the fact that Integration technically became the law of the land in 1866 http://www.withylaw.com/history.htm. There are still racial problems in the United States, not with just the Blacks, but that is one of the areas of racism the United States still faces.
Although there have been Black soldiers in wars fought by the United States, beginning with the War for Independence http://www.army.mil/africanamericans/timeline.html, the United States military did not officially integrate until 1946 http://www.withylaw.com/history.htm. Even then, integration was not widely nor uniformly implemented. However, the integration of the United States military opened the door for other types of integrations.
Sports in the United States was a venue which saw integration after World War II. Yesterday, I went to watch the movie 42 http://42movie.warnerbros.com/, which is based on the story of Branch Rickey, Brooklyn Dodger executive, choosing Jackie Robinson as the first Negro player in Major League Baseball. I do not usually go to the movies. I went to see this movie the weekend it was released. A friend of mine wanted to see it, and invited me to join her. I enjoyed the movie more the second time, than I did the first, and saw things in it the second time that I missed the first time. And, I can tell you, I will see this movie many more times.
I have seen the movie Glory Road http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385726/ multiple times on TV or DVD. The story is about the 1966 NCAA Championship team, the Texas Western Miners, http://gloryroad.utep.edu/home.aspx, which started 5 black players in the championship game, the first such team to win a championship. Did Coach Don Haskins set out to integrate NCAA basketball on a grand scale? From watching the movie, he just set out to win. And win he did. But that championship game is considered one of, if not the most important basketball games in NCAA history.
These two stories are a prime example of how sports impacts our lives. Integration was a long, emotional, hard fought, and bloody battle. It did not go smoothly in sports any more than it went in many other aspect of our lives. But sports has had a major impact on integration.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Never Forget to Lie
I do not watch a lot of serious TV. I deal with serious all day and I do not want to deal with it at night. I was watching PBS, and actually turned away from this show, but felt compelled to turn back to it. The show was Frontline: Never Forget to Lie http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/. It is a show about survivors of the Holocaust from Poland, who are Jewish.
There was a time in my life, in my early 20s, when I was fascinated by the story of the Polish Jews, and read everything the tiny little library in Millers Falls had about this topic. I read novels and history books. I expanded my reading to include the story of Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. It was a story that made me heart sick but amazed me at the horror of man's inhumanity to man. When, in college, I was exposed to Viktor Frankl's Man Search for Meaning http://logotherapy.univie.ac.at/e/lifeandwork.html, his story of his life in German concentration camps Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Dachau, it was a story that spoke to me.
I think that in part, the resonance that I feel for Fiddler on the Roof http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/and The Sound of Music http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ is because both movies deal with the issues of discrimination and displacement, Jews, and Eastern Europe.
The show tonight was heart wrenching. To see people who went through that horror and misery, and survived to be good, productive members of society gives me faith in humanity. But makes my heart hurt for them.
I do not always step up and speak out when I see discrimination or injustice. I am a coward. I need to be stronger about that. Because when good people do not speak out against injustices, other good people get hurt.
There was a time in my life, in my early 20s, when I was fascinated by the story of the Polish Jews, and read everything the tiny little library in Millers Falls had about this topic. I read novels and history books. I expanded my reading to include the story of Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. It was a story that made me heart sick but amazed me at the horror of man's inhumanity to man. When, in college, I was exposed to Viktor Frankl's Man Search for Meaning http://logotherapy.univie.ac.at/e/lifeandwork.html, his story of his life in German concentration camps Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Dachau, it was a story that spoke to me.
I think that in part, the resonance that I feel for Fiddler on the Roof http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/and The Sound of Music http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ is because both movies deal with the issues of discrimination and displacement, Jews, and Eastern Europe.
The show tonight was heart wrenching. To see people who went through that horror and misery, and survived to be good, productive members of society gives me faith in humanity. But makes my heart hurt for them.
I do not always step up and speak out when I see discrimination or injustice. I am a coward. I need to be stronger about that. Because when good people do not speak out against injustices, other good people get hurt.
Friday, May 10, 2013
So, I am not a Rolling Stones Fan, But This is Pretty Neat
So, the Rolling Stones http://www.rollingstones.com/ have a place in my life but I never really liked their music enough to buy their records. I think my favorite song of theirs is "Satisfaction" and I do like to listen to them, mostly because I like the music of that era. But I thought it was neat that Green Valley High School http://www.greenvalleyhs.org/ choir http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182914505 http://www.8newsnow.com/story/22215823/local-high-school-choir-to-perform-with-the-rolling-stones from Henderson, Nevada was asked to back up The Rolling Stones for an encore song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." when The Rolling Stones perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/grand-garden-arena.aspx this Saturday. So cool.
I am not sure the high school students get it, but their parents do, according to the news stories.
What a fun story and great opportunity for some high school students, who 50 years from now, may "get it."
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Kudos to the NBA
Okay, I was not really happy about my experience with the NBA website most recently. But my thoughts about the NBA have changed a little. Or maybe, more than a little.
Jason Collins http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player. an active NBA player, has recently announced that he is gay. This is not the first male professional sports player to announce he is gay, but the first who is actively playing in a major sport.
In the past, active women sports players have announced their homosexuality: Martina Navratilova http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martina_Navratilova and Sheryl Swoopes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Swoopes. But not men. Or not until they have retired.
The National Lesbian and Gay Sports Hall of Fame http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-gay-athlete-fame-20130501,0,924465.story announced its opening today in Chicago, Illinois. Good for them.
Well, the point being that the NBA administration has come out in support of Jason Collins. So maybe, the NBA power group is not so bad. Maybe.
Jason Collins http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player. an active NBA player, has recently announced that he is gay. This is not the first male professional sports player to announce he is gay, but the first who is actively playing in a major sport.
In the past, active women sports players have announced their homosexuality: Martina Navratilova http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martina_Navratilova and Sheryl Swoopes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Swoopes. But not men. Or not until they have retired.
The National Lesbian and Gay Sports Hall of Fame http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-gay-athlete-fame-20130501,0,924465.story announced its opening today in Chicago, Illinois. Good for them.
Well, the point being that the NBA administration has come out in support of Jason Collins. So maybe, the NBA power group is not so bad. Maybe.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Jackie Robinson Day 42 and
The first Jackie Robinson Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson_Day was celebrated by Major League Baseball in 2004, and was designated as a celebration annually in 2005 http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130410&content_id=44442254&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb. This year, Jackie Robinson Day is 4/15/13. If teams do not play on 4/15/13, they celebrate the next day. If they are not in their home stadium on 4/15/13, they honor Jackie Robinson at their next home game.
If you do not know who Jackie Robinson is, he was the first Afro-American baseball player, hand picked, to play in the major leagues. This occurred in 1947, and frankly he faced a lot of racism as he traveled with his team and played baseball across the country. He handled the situation with courage, grace, respect, and dignity.
His number, 42, was retired in 1997 by Major League Baseball, but Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, whose number is 42, was allowed to continue to wear the number, as he did before the number was retired
In 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. asked permission to wear 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in Robinson's honor. In 2009, all players were allowed to wear the number on Jackie Robinson Day. Now, everyone wears 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
The movie "42 The Jackie Robinson Story" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453562/ has a line: "Someday everyone will wear 42." The point is symbolic: if we are all 42 we are all the same: race, creed, color, whatever, we are all the same. The movie was nationally released 4/12/13, timing it to coincide closely with Jackie Robinson Day 2013.
I went to see the movie today. I wanted to get to it early in its showing in Lubbock, because Lubbock is not a baseball town, and I did not think it would stay around long. I was surprised by the crowd, including many women, even solitary women as myself, without a companion, in the audience. During the movie, when there were good baseball plays, the audience clapped (I did) like it was a real game.
I appreciate the struggle and pain Jackie Robinson went through as the first black player in Major League Baseball. But I can not imagine what that was.
I am glad Major League Baseball recognizes him. And, that Major League Baseball (the national past time) recognizes its role in the integration of our nation.
I have to wonder what Thomas Jefferson, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King, Jr. would thing about Barak Obama being the President of the United States of America.
If anyone says that sports does not have an impact on our culture, they are wrong. And, while it is not the end all and be all of integration, sports has had a very large impact on integration in this country.
If you do not know who Jackie Robinson is, he was the first Afro-American baseball player, hand picked, to play in the major leagues. This occurred in 1947, and frankly he faced a lot of racism as he traveled with his team and played baseball across the country. He handled the situation with courage, grace, respect, and dignity.
His number, 42, was retired in 1997 by Major League Baseball, but Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, whose number is 42, was allowed to continue to wear the number, as he did before the number was retired
In 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. asked permission to wear 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in Robinson's honor. In 2009, all players were allowed to wear the number on Jackie Robinson Day. Now, everyone wears 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
The movie "42 The Jackie Robinson Story" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453562/ has a line: "Someday everyone will wear 42." The point is symbolic: if we are all 42 we are all the same: race, creed, color, whatever, we are all the same. The movie was nationally released 4/12/13, timing it to coincide closely with Jackie Robinson Day 2013.
I went to see the movie today. I wanted to get to it early in its showing in Lubbock, because Lubbock is not a baseball town, and I did not think it would stay around long. I was surprised by the crowd, including many women, even solitary women as myself, without a companion, in the audience. During the movie, when there were good baseball plays, the audience clapped (I did) like it was a real game.
I appreciate the struggle and pain Jackie Robinson went through as the first black player in Major League Baseball. But I can not imagine what that was.
I am glad Major League Baseball recognizes him. And, that Major League Baseball (the national past time) recognizes its role in the integration of our nation.
I have to wonder what Thomas Jefferson, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King, Jr. would thing about Barak Obama being the President of the United States of America.
If anyone says that sports does not have an impact on our culture, they are wrong. And, while it is not the end all and be all of integration, sports has had a very large impact on integration in this country.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Emoticons
I heard on NPR on September 19, 2012, that it was the 30th birthday of the emoticon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticon. Emoticons are keystroke symbols that came into use to express emotions consistent with the intent of the cybermessage being sent.
Since the advent of emoticons, things have become more elaborate, and there all kinds of cybersymbols that can be used to express feelings or ideas, even. Some of these are available through symbol fonts, some are available as part of font functions, some can be attached based on a program that supports the symbols.
I rarely use these. I do not usually text, and emoticons are popular for texters. I sometimes chat, but rarely. I do not like the abbreviated spelling of texting and chatting, and I do not like the emoticons. I think we should spell out what we want to say.
But, I am reminded that the English language is constantly changing. The old English of Beowulf is not the English of the 21st century. And the English of the United Kingdom is not the English of Canada, or the United States, or Australia, or New Zealand. We need to be flexible about the English language. And respect the expressions of those who use various symbols of expression.
Since the advent of emoticons, things have become more elaborate, and there all kinds of cybersymbols that can be used to express feelings or ideas, even. Some of these are available through symbol fonts, some are available as part of font functions, some can be attached based on a program that supports the symbols.
I rarely use these. I do not usually text, and emoticons are popular for texters. I sometimes chat, but rarely. I do not like the abbreviated spelling of texting and chatting, and I do not like the emoticons. I think we should spell out what we want to say.
But, I am reminded that the English language is constantly changing. The old English of Beowulf is not the English of the 21st century. And the English of the United Kingdom is not the English of Canada, or the United States, or Australia, or New Zealand. We need to be flexible about the English language. And respect the expressions of those who use various symbols of expression.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Classic Movies
I stumbled upon "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061735/on TV tonight. The movie was made in 1967. Every time I watch it, I marvel at yet again some aspect or another that I did not notice the umpteenth times I have watched it before.
Tonight, one of my marvels about this movie is how much our world has changed since 1967. It has been 45 years. Inter-racial marriages no longer cause the stir they used to. The President of the United States of America is black. Integration is a fact, racism still exists, and sometimes is hatefully subtle and cruel as ever.
My personal world is very vanilla. Although, I have to admit, I know a lot of gay or lesbians. That does not bother me. I do not have much color in my personal life. I would not object to color. I do not reach out much, so people who reach out to me are vanilla. But color would be nice.
I think this is part of what makes a classic movie: it makes us look at ourselves and how the story of the movie impacts us.
Recently, I watched another classic favorite, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045810/. This movie was filmed in 1953. There are a lot of stereotypes in the movie, and some fun is poked at stereotypes: The dumb gold-digging blonde. Her slightly smarter brunette friend. The dirty old rich man. The assumptions about available rich men. The "jocks." The movie really represented the cultural mores of the era regarding women and money. When Marilyn Monroe talks about how much easier it is to love a rich man, or for a man to love a beautiful woman, she says something about society that most of do not want to admit: these things ARE important, although are not always the defining aspect of relationships.
So this is what makes a movie a classic. It speaks to a human truth. One we all feel, know or think.
I am not a big movie fan, but there are some classics that I really enjoy.
Tonight, one of my marvels about this movie is how much our world has changed since 1967. It has been 45 years. Inter-racial marriages no longer cause the stir they used to. The President of the United States of America is black. Integration is a fact, racism still exists, and sometimes is hatefully subtle and cruel as ever.
My personal world is very vanilla. Although, I have to admit, I know a lot of gay or lesbians. That does not bother me. I do not have much color in my personal life. I would not object to color. I do not reach out much, so people who reach out to me are vanilla. But color would be nice.
I think this is part of what makes a classic movie: it makes us look at ourselves and how the story of the movie impacts us.
Recently, I watched another classic favorite, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045810/. This movie was filmed in 1953. There are a lot of stereotypes in the movie, and some fun is poked at stereotypes: The dumb gold-digging blonde. Her slightly smarter brunette friend. The dirty old rich man. The assumptions about available rich men. The "jocks." The movie really represented the cultural mores of the era regarding women and money. When Marilyn Monroe talks about how much easier it is to love a rich man, or for a man to love a beautiful woman, she says something about society that most of do not want to admit: these things ARE important, although are not always the defining aspect of relationships.
So this is what makes a movie a classic. It speaks to a human truth. One we all feel, know or think.
I am not a big movie fan, but there are some classics that I really enjoy.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
That Woman!
I frequently peruse the 7 day book shelf at the library, but often do not get a 7 day book, depending upon what I know my reading schedule to be. Last week, I looked at the 7 day shelf, and saw the title That Woman http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/8735153/That-Woman-The-Life-of-Wallis-Simpson-Duchess-of-Windsor-by-Anne-Sebba.html and knew immediately about whom it referred.
Years ago, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana,_Princess_of_Wales were all the publicity rage, an older co-worker of mine talked about the abdication of Edward VIII because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. My co-worker always referred to her as "that woman." When I saw the book title, and knew immediately about whom the book was written, it struck me as how monumental an event the entire saga of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII was and is.
At the mystery book club meeting tonight, while we were visiting, I mentioned reading this book, and several of the members immediately knew, without a hint from me, who "that woman" was.
As I read the book, it became obvious to me that this story was more than a love story, or gossip magazine fodder. The story of the king who abdicated his throne is the story of a major shift in the way politics would be handled in the United Kingdom during that period in history.
Of course, the story had so many levels: it said something about the way Edward VIII perceived himself and what he thought was his power. It said something about how the Royal Family behaved in public and in private. It said something about how the common people of the United Kingdom perceived the Royal Family. It said something about the character and persona of Wallis Simpson, and Edward VIII. It spoke volumes about the double standard of the role, rights, responsibilities, freedoms, expectations and enfranchisement of women during that time period.
Wallis Simpson, like so many women prior to that time period, during that time period, and since that time period was stuck being dependent upon men for her welfare and well being. Although women's rights have come a long way since then, many women still face that stifling dependency on men for their existence.
There are many lessons to be learned from this story. I think one of the most important for women is to appreciate and safeguard the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities we have gained by the struggles of women who came before us. And, to help promote those freedoms, rights and responsibilities so women, who still in this day and age do not have them, may move closer and closer to having them.
We forget about how much the United Kingdom changed during the 20th century, when so many of the countries became independent of England, but still in some ways are more or less loyal to England and the monarchy. It is certainly a different way of life and different attitude than what we have in the United States. Yet the lessons regarding women's rights ring true and solid in both cultures, and around the world.
One person can change history, intentionally or inadvertently, especially because of the impact that one person has on those that person impacts. What a lesson!
Years ago, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana,_Princess_of_Wales were all the publicity rage, an older co-worker of mine talked about the abdication of Edward VIII because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson. My co-worker always referred to her as "that woman." When I saw the book title, and knew immediately about whom the book was written, it struck me as how monumental an event the entire saga of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII was and is.
At the mystery book club meeting tonight, while we were visiting, I mentioned reading this book, and several of the members immediately knew, without a hint from me, who "that woman" was.
As I read the book, it became obvious to me that this story was more than a love story, or gossip magazine fodder. The story of the king who abdicated his throne is the story of a major shift in the way politics would be handled in the United Kingdom during that period in history.
Of course, the story had so many levels: it said something about the way Edward VIII perceived himself and what he thought was his power. It said something about how the Royal Family behaved in public and in private. It said something about how the common people of the United Kingdom perceived the Royal Family. It said something about the character and persona of Wallis Simpson, and Edward VIII. It spoke volumes about the double standard of the role, rights, responsibilities, freedoms, expectations and enfranchisement of women during that time period.
Wallis Simpson, like so many women prior to that time period, during that time period, and since that time period was stuck being dependent upon men for her welfare and well being. Although women's rights have come a long way since then, many women still face that stifling dependency on men for their existence.
There are many lessons to be learned from this story. I think one of the most important for women is to appreciate and safeguard the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities we have gained by the struggles of women who came before us. And, to help promote those freedoms, rights and responsibilities so women, who still in this day and age do not have them, may move closer and closer to having them.
We forget about how much the United Kingdom changed during the 20th century, when so many of the countries became independent of England, but still in some ways are more or less loyal to England and the monarchy. It is certainly a different way of life and different attitude than what we have in the United States. Yet the lessons regarding women's rights ring true and solid in both cultures, and around the world.
One person can change history, intentionally or inadvertently, especially because of the impact that one person has on those that person impacts. What a lesson!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9-11 Remembered
There were multiple remembrance ceremonies in Lubbock today, marking the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the United States on 9-11-2001. There was a military ceremony at a local park on 9-10-11. One of the local non-denominational churches in town had a remembrance service at the Civic Center.
I attended a ceremony sponsored by the Interfaith Council: It was on the lawn at the county courthouse. Prayers and speakers represented the Christian, Hindu, Islam and Jewish faiths: these are the faiths of the victims. The Roman Catholic Bishop spoke in English and Spanish. We sang "America" and "God Bless America."
Afterwards, I went to the American Tribute, every year sponsored by the American State Bank: Every year, at a local park observable from the very busy South Loop, American flags are erected in the park, and at night, they are illuminated. This year, the display occurs from September 8 to 13, 2011. There were many many families with children at this display when I went today.
Did your community do anything to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack on the United States of America on 9-11-2001?
I attended a ceremony sponsored by the Interfaith Council: It was on the lawn at the county courthouse. Prayers and speakers represented the Christian, Hindu, Islam and Jewish faiths: these are the faiths of the victims. The Roman Catholic Bishop spoke in English and Spanish. We sang "America" and "God Bless America."
Afterwards, I went to the American Tribute, every year sponsored by the American State Bank: Every year, at a local park observable from the very busy South Loop, American flags are erected in the park, and at night, they are illuminated. This year, the display occurs from September 8 to 13, 2011. There were many many families with children at this display when I went today.
Did your community do anything to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack on the United States of America on 9-11-2001?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
How Dastardly Ignominious Can It Get
Sometime in the 1990s, the Lubbock Sanitation Department developed a recycling program: It was fairly simple. Citizens could recycle glass, plastic, newspapers,aluminum cans and food cans by placing them in a blue bag and hanging them on the dumpster in the alley. Blue bag pick up was a couple of times a week. Locally, the supermarket chain United, and the discount chain Wal-Mart, used blue plastic bags that could be used for the blue bag program, vs purchasing blue bags (from Glad.)
This program did not catch on, and was ultimately discontinued. The city now has drop off points where plastic, aluminium, tin cans, aluminum cans, newspaper and plastic can be deposited. While not exactly convenient, it is workable for the serious recycler. Another option is to use the commercial recycling industries such as the Green Queens http://www.greenqueens.org/.
Today, there was an article in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal about going green: http://lubbockonline.com/faith/2011-06-24/christian-viewpoints-differ-environmental-movement-isit-stewardship-or-human The comments include that the Bible gives humans authority to use whatever resources necessary for success (not pro recycling or conservationism.)
Another quote is that "There's no reason for Christians to be concerned that, "Oh, they're gonna think I'm a liberal because I throw my cans in a recycling bin. "
Heavenly father, how can these well educated, well meaning people not understand that recycling is an act of stewardship of your Earth, and has nothing to do with economics, politics, power, or control. How can we spread the word, and help the health of our Earth.
This program did not catch on, and was ultimately discontinued. The city now has drop off points where plastic, aluminium, tin cans, aluminum cans, newspaper and plastic can be deposited. While not exactly convenient, it is workable for the serious recycler. Another option is to use the commercial recycling industries such as the Green Queens http://www.greenqueens.org/.
Today, there was an article in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal about going green: http://lubbockonline.com/faith/2011-06-24/christian-viewpoints-differ-environmental-movement-isit-stewardship-or-human The comments include that the Bible gives humans authority to use whatever resources necessary for success (not pro recycling or conservationism.)
Another quote is that "There's no reason for Christians to be concerned that, "Oh, they're gonna think I'm a liberal because I throw my cans in a recycling bin. "
Heavenly father, how can these well educated, well meaning people not understand that recycling is an act of stewardship of your Earth, and has nothing to do with economics, politics, power, or control. How can we spread the word, and help the health of our Earth.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Dining at Mount Rainier
When I arrived at the entry point for Mount Rainier, the ranger at the gate suggested I dine for lunch at the Paradise Inn, as the setting was a classic dining setting, with a grand view, stone fireplace, pillars, and excellent service.
I have already mentioned some of that in a prior blog "Seattle: What I Saw, What I Did."
While I was eating at the Paradise Inn dining room, I realized that I did not notice when tables were being bussed. So, I watched carefully when the next set of diners left. The waiters were very surreptitious in regards to removing dirty dishes, and condiments from the tables. They pushed the old table cloth aside, and the new table cloth onto the table, so one never noticed it without a table cloth. All was done with a minimum of fan fare.
I have to think: this might be the way 5 star restaurants bus tables, and fine dining on cruise ships and in special establishments is accomplished. It was so seamless, so inconspicuous, it was as if the changes were not happening at all. Wow!
I have already mentioned some of that in a prior blog "Seattle: What I Saw, What I Did."
While I was eating at the Paradise Inn dining room, I realized that I did not notice when tables were being bussed. So, I watched carefully when the next set of diners left. The waiters were very surreptitious in regards to removing dirty dishes, and condiments from the tables. They pushed the old table cloth aside, and the new table cloth onto the table, so one never noticed it without a table cloth. All was done with a minimum of fan fare.
I have to think: this might be the way 5 star restaurants bus tables, and fine dining on cruise ships and in special establishments is accomplished. It was so seamless, so inconspicuous, it was as if the changes were not happening at all. Wow!
Culture Shock
In a previous blog entry, I mentioned the predominance of heavily accented people in Seattle. I noticed this, including Eastern European accents. A coworker told me she was in "culture shock" when she went to Seattle, because she was used to the Hispanics of West Texas, but not the Asians which seem to predominate Seattle.
I realized that I noticed the Asians, but was not particularly shocked or surprised by this. Perhaps because I have read many novels about Seattle, and one, in fact, was about Asian Americans in Seattle.
Sometimes, I wonder about my cultural sensitivity. These predominances are not particularly apparent to me. So, I am either obviously unaware of cultural differences, or I am aware but not affected by them.
I am not sure which is better. I am sure it seems not to be important to me. Maybe, I should be more aware.
I realized that I noticed the Asians, but was not particularly shocked or surprised by this. Perhaps because I have read many novels about Seattle, and one, in fact, was about Asian Americans in Seattle.
Sometimes, I wonder about my cultural sensitivity. These predominances are not particularly apparent to me. So, I am either obviously unaware of cultural differences, or I am aware but not affected by them.
I am not sure which is better. I am sure it seems not to be important to me. Maybe, I should be more aware.
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