The Sapphires

This film was one of my very favorites. The singing was incredibly beautiful, the characters were lively, hilarious and emotionally captivating. The story line was also amazing, it truly made you connect and think about the issues.

The main frustration that came to me in this film was the idea that people had to be all black or all white. Constantly throughout the film, individuals would have to defend themselves and their identity. For those with ambiguous skin color, it’s like a proper introduction to provide their race upon meeting. And to those who’s skin color makes their race obvious, it comes up in conversation anyway… as if it needs to at least be addressed before moving on to any other information or topic.  This concept alone, makes me upset.  If there is one thing to take away from my random semi-insignificant blogging, please remember this: Race cannot and should not define a person and their characteristics.  Actually, I take that back. Please remember a second item of information that is equally important. Race is not a simple categorization tactic, no matter how hard the societal system tries to make us believe so. Race is a spectrum that should be embraced in all of its complexities. People are not always just white. They are not always just black. They are not always just chinese, just hawaiian, just vietnamese. Each race exists on a spectrum, and no spectrum is better than the other. No place on any spectrum is better than another.

It made me sad that Kay (in this film), had to keep defending herself based upon her racial identity. It was not her fault that she was a blend of two races. I was not her fault that she was taken away as a child, put in a school to change her culture and brainwash her mind and customs. She should not have to explain that she still identifies as having an aboriginal heart in order to be with a black man or perform with her cousins. She should not have to pick a single side when she has been molded in a mix of contrasting cultures. She is who she is and that’s all she shouldn’t have to defend that. Kay’s struggle with identity is a prime example of the consequences of forcing colonization among indigenous people. Forcing a child to conform to a new culture will only confuse and hurt the child. Causing them to feel lost within society as they are told to be 100% of one race.

Insight from class 10/22/14

Rabbit Proof Fence

The general storyline of this film is all too familiar. A governed policy of forcibly riding indigenous culture from the native children by colonization and torture. The constant mentality of superiority. The assumption that the differences in culture means “a problem needs to be solved”. Of course, “solving the problem” means [to the government] making the inferior the same as the superior. All of these concepts are repeated throughout history and all over the world. WHY? It makes me sick that the “solution” to this problem [that actually does not need to be solved] is ripping children from their families, forcing them into a new religion, forcing them to only speak english, starving them physically and providing horrible conditions to live in like peeing in a communal bucket next to their beds. I especially loved the camera angles that the director implemented. There was always an upward angle from the perspective of the children at the camp looking at the white people running the camp. This successfully gave us a feeling of the terrifying power relations within these camps and in society.  Of course, it is all based on a system reinforcing the superiority. Forbidding children from using their native language is essentially taking away all of the power they had left. Language is the basis of identity for all people, is creates a sense of comfort that was not welcome at these camps. After months of chasing the escapee aboriginal girls through the desert, trying to force them back into the camps their was a frustrated response that truly intrigued me:

“If they could only understand what we are trying to do for them…”

People who enforce this seem to truly think that they are doing it for their own good. They truly believe that the indigenous people need their help to achieve happiness or success. They truly believe the superior rank of cultures. Despite this, I still cannot let this intention give an excuse for the horrific results. It only explains how deep routed this awfully problem of the racist mentality is.

This film really tugged at my heart. To see the girls display an intense desperation for their culture was inspiring. I loved how strong, smart and brave they were. But, to also see their hopeless suppression when actually facing authority [especially when their sister was being captured] was heart breaking. I have seen many modern movies where at a moment of crisis, the family members will run out from the bushes to say “take me too.” I expected that to happen in this film, but it never did. It broke my heart that even with such a brave child, there was no fearless sacrifice shown to the face of authority. It was far too much of a fear to confront them. It was far too much of a danger to confront them. The only true option of defiance was to hide and run… never fight. I thought that this was a true testament to how much fear was put into the aboriginal lives. Running was their only option, but they sure did it well.

Bolzac and the Chinese Seamstress

This film exposed me to how much we (in the United States) take for granted in term of access to education. We have the world at our fingertips. Having the right to read about other stories, other experiences and foreign information is such a privilege that is commonly taken for granted. In this film, books were burned and banned from their culture. Getting caught reading a book would surely get you arrested and the book would be confiscated. I found it awesome that because of this, the adolescents desperately sought out books to read. They thirsted for knowledge like it was magic. They were fascinated with the use of language and the new concepts it provided them with.  They felt refreshed, rejuvenated, in love, awakened.

It is sad to realize the rarity of this in our culture. It should not take for something to be banned for it to be of value in our minds. We should thirst after reading like our improved cognition depended on it. We should appreciate the experiences of others like our empathy depended on it.  We should take the time to actually read a whole page, willfully and seriously… like our temperament and patience depended on it.  We should value the written work of others like our respect depended on it. We should allow a book to change our life like our ambition depended on it.  Let us learn from the individuals in this film: books are glorious and important, do not take them for granted.

Insight from class 10-15-14

A Wei Wei

Ai WeiWei is an incredible person. I wish I could simply provided a long list of his quotes; some of them would even be sufficient in providing total inspiration and admiration for his work. But, I also have some thoughts about his story that I think are important to share.

The most effective thing that Ai WeiWei accomplished in his work was creating bravery and activism among others. He had a way of motivating people to come together in smalls ways that make big impacts. When producing art, or performing art… he would utilize the help of others around him even more than his own self. I loved that he was okay with simply taking his ideas, sharing them with others and allowing them to be his hands. People would literally put together his art for him, and it actually made an immense impact on his success. See, Ai WeiWei understands that power comes when people feel involved and important.  Using other people to produce his art is a strong metaphor for how he went about his activism. He understood that allowing others to help with the cause creates the biggest impact. They develop a voice, they gain knowledge to use that voice and they start to see value in standing out.

When Ai WeiWei was asked about how he remains brave in such scary circumstances his response was simple:

“I am brave because I know it is dangerous. If you don’t act, the danger only becomes stronger.”

This is such a powerful thought. The only power that the Chinese government had, was instilling danger and fear upon its victims… thus making them silent and censored. Once this was overcome in Ai WeiWei’s mind, the danger had no real power. The freedom that Ai WeiWei gave himself as he expressed thoughts and coordinated actions via Twitter, put the fear into the government officials minds instead.

The officials began to act desperate, destroying anything and everything that Ai WeiWei produced. They even detained him for months at a time, but his voice did not silence. This leads me to connect that to my first thought. I am completely grateful for Ai WeiWei’s involvement of the people in his work. Because the people were his hands, they never failed to have his back. They were the mouthpiece when he could not be. They gathered together before a demolition of his building even when AiWeiWei could not be there, and they expressed their voices loudly when he disappeared. This was a brilliant example to show how silencing his voice would never actually stop his growth and impact. It was all the direct result of Ai WeiWei’s brilliant strategies. He laid the his foundation in those around him. He slowly gave them his bravery and this was the foundation of his success.

The last point I want to make is that all of his actions were driven by the concept that,

“If it not published, it never happened.”

Growing up in America, it is difficult to imagine a world that hides all information and hinders all expression of noncompliance. We live in a free country, so watching the film made me uncomfortable to think that the government was SO DRIVEN to hide their mistakes and injustices.

But, then I began to think about the untold and hidden American history. As a country, there has been many examples of injustices that are successfully censored. They are silently brushed under the rug. I won’t go into great detail, but one example of this censorship that I feel very strongly about is the history of relations with the American Indians. The terrible treatment of American Indians and destroying their culture is far less than acceptable, yet, throughout school I have never heard a single mention of it.

Even though the horrors of things that were done to the American Indians (past and present) were covered up… I am still thankful that I can learn about it truthfully and express my feelings without being detained.

My sharing this kind of information does not change anything, but it at least starts the process of awareness and inspiration. This is the kind of expressive right that Ai WeiWei is optimistic about, and I believe that he has been extremely successful in creating the optimism in others that starts the process of real change in his country.

He continues to make an impact from afar, in his exhibition on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco California. I admire his passion and dedication that allows him to continually use his resources and other people to spread his thoughts. To have an exhibition across the world as he is detained in China, is such an empowering idea. Nothing can stop Ai WeiWei when people give him support. 

“Like the room full of 1,000,000 sunflower seeds, diversity and individualism always exists when you look closely enough.”

Latin Jazz Music Performance

Listening to the performers in class last Wednesdays was truly blissful. They are so talented and wonderful, but I had a hard time trying to come up with something to write about. I know nothing about music composition, and I definitely know nothing about playing it. But, what I am good at…. is reading people. I quickly began to fall in love with the way they showed so much love for their music. I noticed how delicate their hands worked and it made me realize how strong of a desire I had to learn something like the back of my hand, as they do. To know something like the back of my hand would be a blessing, and I could tell that they realized just how fulfilled they were by knowing music in that nature. Watching them, you could tell that they could feel their music in their soul. Their face was constantly lit up in pure bliss. I often wondered if their cheeks were sore from always being used in smiles and appreciation while playing. I notice how consumed they were with their music, as if nothing else in the world exists but this simply moment of expression. It makes me happy to see people in their comfort zones, completely at ease and at peace with the world… even if it’s for that one moment. I also loved that they would consistently have outbursts of appreciation for their partners when they liked an improv that was performed. The would have outbursts of gratitude for them, outbursts of happiness about their musical connections. I loved how they would raise their eyebrows and smile with their whole body, just to show that they were truly impressed with their partners performance at that moment in time. This kind of teamwork and appreciation is inspiring. The lift each other up, and that is something of true importance. I than began to realize how much teamwork and communication is necessary in musical improv. One starts, and the others follow. It takes incredible skill to integrate throughout the song and correlate all of the critical components. The listening skills, the quick reactions, the muscle memory, the control and precision. The passion. All of it is beyond impressive and I am thankful to have enjoyed their talent.

Class insight 10/8/14

JR: Women are Heroes & Wrinkles of the City

JR has really taught me a lot about art. He understands the concept of beauty as I have come to understand it. I admire the way that he can use the texture of the city walls to add to the texture of the portrait. I admire that he proudly participates in graffiti. I find it fascinating, brave, bold, beautiful and impressive. The purpose of art is to show people thoughts, feelings and ideas, and he goes straight to the point by putting it directly in the public realm. I respect that, tremendously. I admire that he values natural features as something beautiful. I admire that he can bring out the personality of a person in a photograph. He has shown me that it is not only the final product that is beautiful, but the process of taking a portrait can show just as much beauty. He gets to know his subjects and gives them the attention and display that they deserve.

I admire that he displays the energy of ordinary people. No matter how old, how young, or what they do. They have a positive energy and he finds it in order to emulate it largely. I love that his art is respectful, yet takes the human perspective to a new level. It’s amazing how he can bring so many people together, feeling connected as a community…. from portraits of such diversity.

But what I admire most about him, as an artist, is that he values people and successfully makes them feel valued. He constant gives attention and respect to ordinary individuals who have endured amazing lives. Giving recognition to them, gives hope and inspiration to others. As well as creating an atmosphere of love for all people in our community.

The Garden

The south central L.A community garden -largest in the entire United States of America- stretched 13 acres. It was a dirt lot in the middle of poor urban land, that was designated for the use of gardening among its community members. The land was sectioned off, peacefully, and excitedly to many community members. It was a constant supply of various gardens that gave fulfillment to life within the urban chaos. The joy and passion it gave the latino/a members of the community was immeasurable. The south central L.A. community garden was more than a garden; it was safe haven, a resource for all things good. I am moved by how passionate the people who ran this garden were.

It sickens me to say that this joy was taken from them. Simply because of impossible politics and awful racism.

When the land was sold by the city to a private owner, naturally the owner wanted the land to himself. When the farmers passionately expressed that they would like to keep the farm the way it is, beautifully producing food, the owner insisted that they buy it off of him.

Fair request.

This at first seemed like a reasonable thing to ask. A simple bargain. Except for the fact that the non-negotiable price that the owner was willing to sell it for was triple what he paid. He paid 5.3 million, and he wanted to receive 16.3 million from the farmers. This here, is the problem worth taking about. This is unfair. This is demeaning. This is selfish.

He knew that the farmers were from low income areas. He knew that that kind of money was normally out of the question. He set the price, belittling their potential. He separated them from all possibility. This gave him power.

But with a crazy amount of hard work and help from the media and other partnering, supportive organizations… the farmers raised 16.3 million dollars. The surpassed the demeaning stereotypes. They proved this arrogant, selfish owner wrong. But, what came of it. The owner changed his mind and said that he would not accept any amount for the land, in fact, he simply did not believe in their organization. What he truly meant, was he did not believe in supporting their race, their culture, and their livelihood. His actions of denial were actions of racism. It was a slap in the face. It was awful. But most of all… it was a resemblance of the impossibility of politics for the poor.

“Liberty and Justice for all? Where is the Justice for the poor people?”

When those in power are only the rich, the poor people do not get fought for. When lawmakers, policy makers and federal funders are all rich-white-heteronormative males… the politics in America will reflect so. Like we see in the terrible case of the south central L.A Garden, the rich won, again. But, not because of money. The famers were able to raise a substantial amount of money that deserved the correct respectful outcome, yet it not happen that way. It can only imply that money is not the agenda for the powerful. The seek power at all costs. Selling the land to the farmers would have made the owner an easy 16 million…. but the power over the people was more gratifying.

Class insight 10-1-14

Wasteland

I was pleasantly surprised by this documentary. As I learned about their individual lives, the people who worked in the garbage fields, began to inspire me. It makes me so happy to think that their eyes were open to new possibilities. The level of poverty they lived in, was astonishing, yet their attitudes were so powerfully optimistic. They loved their community. They loved their impact on the recycling industry. They loved their families. They were able to content with so many aspects of their lives and I think there is beauty in that ability. But, what I found even more beautiful was what happened to them when they began to produce their self portraits.

The photographer captured, aesthetically powerfully and contextually meaningful portraits of these workers. Then, he had them help lay recycled trash on the contours of their own photo.

“There is so much excess that it became art.”- Vick

Their eyes began to be opened unto the world of art. They loved bringing their community and passion into a venue of expression. Many of them started to realize that they are much more than what they had been allowing themselves to be. There is power in their simplicity… but, there is even more power in directing this simple pride to make a productive change in their lives. Constructing self portraits allowed them to see another reality for themselves. It allowed them to find the WILL to change. They thought they were happy, but they began to see how to enhance that happiness. They became more proud of themselves than they ever were before. It is as if they were given a second wind in their energy. One of the workers came to the realization that:

“Sometimes we see ourselves as so small. But others see us as so big, and beautiful”

I could not help but tear up at moments like this in the film. By creating these portraits, their individual self worth grew a thousand times in their eyes. And that makes me so unbelievably grateful for the power that art has. Art can truly change people. Even the smallest of ways can make the biggest impact on courage and pride. Art gave these people the chance to show the world their pride, and it was wonderful to watch.

Two essential encounters that changed my life

If you were to look at my life 6 short years ago, I was a completely different person. Even looking at my life 2 years ago, you would see monumental differences. But doesn’t everyone? People change overtime. That’s a known fact. They grow, they mold to their environment, they overcome, and they learn… resulting in a change that can only be observed from the hindsight perspective. Looking back on my own life with this hindsight, I found two very distinct encounters that made me who I am.

Six years ago,  I met my girlfriend. Six years ago, I was also not aware that I was gay. In fact, I was not aware of anything that fell outside of the narrow shadows of my middle class, religious, white, sheltered family.  This meant that, naturally, meeting my girlfriend was simply engaging in a high school friendship. Making a new friend had happened dozens of times. It was a simple friendship that my 16 year old self thought would easily conform and comply to my normal life. Why would I think otherwise?

That friendship was a lot of things, but it was definately not what I thought. In no way did it add to my normalcy. It did not comply with the shelters of my world. But, what a fantastic, eye-opening, world shattering, beautifully written experience, it was. It was an experience that truly changed me. It was a beautiful mess.

Before that summer, I did not know anything about the world. Everything I had known, was backfiring. My eyes were opening, it felt tremendous. And frightening. I learned about other cultures. I learned about politics. I learned about controversies. I learned about hardships. I learned about gender binaries. I learned about feminism. I learned about art. I learned about the world. And I learned it from this individual who was so passionate. None of it was familiar to me, but I became passionate also.

With this came the most intense love I have ever known. And as we fell in love, I then learned how my parents unconditional love could quickly turn to conditional. There was emotional, physical, and mental abuse. There was religious counseling. There were ultimatums. Being 16 was hard. But, being 16, Mormon, and gay was the hardest thing I had known possible.

Encountering this relationship taught me that knowing about the world is an enlightening, and empowering thing. It taught me that that is what I wanted out of life. To discover and learn as much as I can about all different kinds of people and ways of life. It also taught me that fighting for something that I believed in was hard. And it taught me that fighting for something that I believe in is internally rewarding.

But, the truth is… I was suppressed. Even though this emotional revolution was taking place inside of me, I was hindered by the power of my parents. They had the control because they had the money, so I kept quiet. I took the abuse and rarely said a word. I went away to college where my parents wanted me to and I played softball just like my parents wanted me to. I knew I wanted to focus on my life as an individual. I knew I wanted to focus on meeting new people and taking new classes. College athletics at a Division II school did not match this plan for me, yet I did it anyway. It took over every bit of time I had, and I was burnt out. Nothing about the sport was worth it for me, but I could not speak up for myself. I had learned this tragic fault throughout my adolescence. I needed to take control of my life, but I have never done that before. How was I supposed to know how to even start that process?

This leads me to the second most important encounter of my life. I was robotically moving through my softball schedule, a random day in the spring semester when a thought popped into my head.

I could quit softball if I wanted to.

Now, this sounded ridiculous. Quitting is irresponsible, childish, and unacceptable. Reasons, all of which, forced this thought to stay out of my mind. But, suddenly I let it occupy my consciousness for a few minutes. I realized how much potential I had if I quit. I realized how much tension it would release inside me if I quit. And most importantly, I realized that despite the fact that I had spent 12 years of my life preparing to playing in college softball… my life would not end if I quit. I did not know what I was going to do instead of playing. But I knew that the quality of my life would improve if I could spend it otherwise. Within hours, I spoke to my coach and left the team.

I had never done anything like this. And, the most surprising part of it all was the bravery that I displayed. It was as if the past 3 years I was suppressing every little inkling of power inside me and it all came out at once. I felt liberated, free and in charge. At the time, I knew it was a great experience for me, but looking from hindsight has shown me just how important of a moment it was.

It was the first moment that I stood up for myself. The first time I finally said ‘no’. It was the first time I actually made a decision for myself.  After this moment, multiple other changes occurred in my life that I honestly believe never would have happened without this liberation. I moved home and told my parents about my true sexuality without hesitation and without suppression. Upon getting kicked out and taken off of every health care plan possible, I used my savings to buy a car and got a well paying job that I loved. I signed a lease on my own place. I found a career path that was perfect for me and started taking classes right away. I came out to my friends and realized that supportive behavior does exist.

I now have tremendous independence that I am proud of. I have learned that with independence, stability and confidence comes happiness. Standing up for yourself can only bring good things, and it gets easier as you practice. I am forever grateful for meeting my girlfriend as young as I did. It gave me time to to come to terms with myself. I am also grateful that I was able to have the courage to stand up for myself in college. It has proven that I can be myself if I only let myself.

Class 9-24-2014

Food Inc.

This film was difficult to watch. I knew many of these facts before watching… but, it has again enraged me about the situation our society has produced.  It is not fair that the majority of the United States is basically forced to eat less than quality food simply because it is all that is available at a decent price. When the large food industries make it a priority to make a profit rather than keep the population healthy, there lies a problem.

Making chickens double the size in order to maximize their product. Spraying pesticides to lazily keep farm crops alive. Feeding feces, and unwanted cow parts to OTHER COWS.  These are just a few of the awful practices that happen because companies do not want to take extra time, extra attention, or extra money to make it right. And the fact that humans have to suffer the health consequences of these practices, makes me sick.

About a year ago, I made the decision to buy organic meat and dairy products, despite the differences in prices. I am a college student, so paying for a full load of fresh organic groceries is not practical. However, I try to make it a priority to put my money into the correct (organic) industries when it comes to meat and dairy. I am excited for the day when I can afford to support only local farmers markets and organic products. I am excited to hopefully have the financial means to keep my family healthy in this regard, but I realize that all families cannot do this. Our nation needs to find a way to drive down the cost for organic food, so that more people have the means to consume it. If as many people who can afford it, decide to put their money into the organic industry, perhaps they can still make a profit even charging a lower cost in order to benefit all.

RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ORGANIC MEAT AND PRODUCE