Considering postmodernity, truth is in the lives we lead which are dictated by our known world. It is formulated by authority, our own social norms and ultimately cultural traditions. Our very definition of “truth” has been implanted in us to help define our identity. Since the “fluidity” of truth deals with how we understand the idea of “truth” in a postmodern context it’s a constant threat to Christianity. Plainly, it’s the battle of the dominant capitalistic white america against the kingdom of God. We are taught to think rationally and logically to gain truth. Our classical Greek thinkers emphasized different aspects of learning, but they were all rooted in rhetoric.
Christianity offers a revolutionized identity based solely on memory of Christ’s life. He calls us to irrational and leave behind our national identity-- the one idea of “truth” which was the only known truth. The character Evey in V for Vendetta lives a mundane life until encountering the protagonist, V. V presents an unknown truth rooted in the past and uses that memory of the 5th of November to share with his country men for justice and revenge. Evey experiences the truth the hard way-- V instills the very conditions he experienced on Evey. Her realization of the truth seems insane at first. After letting go of the anger and embracing the reality of the situation she finds peace within the irrational truth. And through it she gains a new identity.
The three parallel stories in the movie The Fountain contained the same ultimate theme of science vs. spiritual with spirituality winning in the end. Tommy’s quest for immortality and a cure for his wife’s salvation was portrayed as vain effort from the beginning. The repeated scene throughout the movie was in short the resolution of the whole film-- Tommy declining his dying wife’s simple request to take a walk with her during the first snow of the season. The wife, Izzi acceptance of her fate countered Tommy’s determination to find the cure to save her. The resolution is clear that the cure isn’t the answer. The truth of this film is that we will all die and hopefully reunite in the afterlife. I can't wait.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Everyone needs to keep on their medicine intake--
The term American melting pot means that in America eventually all cultures and traditions will forge together into one ultimate superior culture. According to this term clashing cultures will find a middle ground to agree upon. Of course this idea doesn’t take into account that one cannot possibly unlearn much of their own culture and automatically accept all other cultures and traditions. In theory the example would be one particular culture embraced all parts of other cultures to be a part of a final American culture.
Native Americans have been categorized into two stereotypical terms in culture: bloodthirsty and noble savage. The bloodthirsty savage is disgusting, full of rage, constantly seeking violence and destruction. They are mostly portrayed as such villainous creatures in Westerns and specifically as the character Magua in James Fennimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans. Also represented in Cooper’s novel is the noble savage. The novel savage is submissive to nature and the white man. Another role of the noble savage would be a guide through the dangerous wilds for the white man. Does Sacagawea count?
The movie Crash is not a positive film about race issues because in the long run it doesn’t provide audiences with a solution for change. The best way to describe Crash is an attempt to bring white America to terms with the big elephant in the room called race and racism and the dominance of white patriarchal society. The message is that everyone is prejudiced therefore its okay if everyone else is doing it. The message doesn’t provide a true solution to racism. Furthermore, it minimizes the two truths: the United States has a dominant white patriarchal society and that there people in LA who get along despite race issues. To pick a side, I would have to agree with Jensen and Wosnitzer that Crash did more damage than good because it left audiences with a drained out truth and implied justification of racism through heroism-- exemplified in the highlighted character Officer Ryan. Of course there are many problems with this film, as with all films, but because this particular film focused on the issues of race, racism and white dominance it missed the target which defeated all of its good intentions.
Native Americans have been categorized into two stereotypical terms in culture: bloodthirsty and noble savage. The bloodthirsty savage is disgusting, full of rage, constantly seeking violence and destruction. They are mostly portrayed as such villainous creatures in Westerns and specifically as the character Magua in James Fennimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans. Also represented in Cooper’s novel is the noble savage. The novel savage is submissive to nature and the white man. Another role of the noble savage would be a guide through the dangerous wilds for the white man. Does Sacagawea count?
The movie Crash is not a positive film about race issues because in the long run it doesn’t provide audiences with a solution for change. The best way to describe Crash is an attempt to bring white America to terms with the big elephant in the room called race and racism and the dominance of white patriarchal society. The message is that everyone is prejudiced therefore its okay if everyone else is doing it. The message doesn’t provide a true solution to racism. Furthermore, it minimizes the two truths: the United States has a dominant white patriarchal society and that there people in LA who get along despite race issues. To pick a side, I would have to agree with Jensen and Wosnitzer that Crash did more damage than good because it left audiences with a drained out truth and implied justification of racism through heroism-- exemplified in the highlighted character Officer Ryan. Of course there are many problems with this film, as with all films, but because this particular film focused on the issues of race, racism and white dominance it missed the target which defeated all of its good intentions.
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