Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Words of Terror
This is what I posted on my personal blog this morning. I thought it might be appropriate to add here as well.

Since the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech yesterday, I've been doing a lot of thinking that's led my mind all over the place. I'm an emotional person, and my first reactions were very emotional: shock, sadness, horror - not only for the situation itself but for all the consequences a repurcussions. I felt profoundly humbled as I thought about the relatively unimportant emotional personal issues I've been completely consumed by of late. They don't matter in the bigger picture.

This morning, my academic side broke loose as I was listening to the news. I started noting the vocabulary used around this story, and since this was all they talked about, I got a hefty sample of it. The following were many of the words and phrases that were used:

tragedy
mass shooting
state of emergency
the shooter
criminal act
massacre
support
emergency management
sadness
horror
motive
took his own life
shooting rampage
bloodbath
loner
no motive
None of those words are very surprising. They all fit with the event. But then, I started thinking about putting that into perspective of a suicide bombing in the Middle East. What is the discourse surrounding those stories? What are the words used then?

blew themselves up
conspiracy
scene of the attack
recent blasts
shattered calm
Islamic extremists
potential targets
suicide bombers
Iraq terror group
claim
insurgents
wounded only one
Now, these are very different situations. The Middle East has been in a state of conflict time out of mind. Certain areas are genuine war and battle zones in the Middle East. Certain tactics characterize those battles because they are tactics that work. It is a different context and does require a unique language at many times. However, the language that we use to describe a suicide bombing in the Middle East that kills eight innocent people and a suicide shooting in the United States that kills 32 innocent people is apparently very different. But are they really that different?

The big question on my mind is: Why is an apparently cold-blooded, planned shooting of this magnitude not recognized as an act of terror? It's recognized as a tragedy. But even the death of this Virginia shooter is hardly recognized as a suicide (technically a crime as well) in the media; it is softened to "he took his own life." We live in a time where the dominant rhetoric surrounding mass violence has taken on a militaristic tone centered on terrorism. Yet, it seems that we have to soften that rhetoric when it comes to events generated within our own culture.

To me, it seems that this small difference in language is a way that we separate ourselves from the rest of the world. It's a way that we perpetuate an Us/Them dichotomy. They have terrorism. We have tragedy. Discourse creates difference. It can also help to break down those barriers by just applying the same language to similar events.

Apparently, the United Kingdom is beginning to change its discourse about terrorism. I think it's a start and perhaps something that should be examined. How can we change the divisions we create with language? Not only internationally, but at home. Obviously, we create alienation in young people in this country, evidenced by the increasing rapidity and violence of these attacks. Are we creating terrorists at home with a polarizing language and culture? Why is it so hard to recognize these troubled people as terrorists? I have a feeling that if you compared psychological profiles of a school shooter in this country and a suicide bomber (or kamikaze pilot or paid assassin and so on) that you probably would not find too much of a difference in their pysches or motivations.

Oddly enough perhaps, I feel most sad for Cho Seung-Hui's parents. Although not much is known about him or them yet, it's likely that his parents came here to create a better life for their family. They've now lost their son, will have to endure intense media scrutiny and shame, and will probably face a great deal of hate for being immigrants and non-citizens - perhaps for the rest of their lives. For some reason, that was the untold part of the story that has really struck a chord in my mind. I hope that people show them some mercy.

posted by Alison at 9:56 AM 1 comments
Friday, April 13, 2007

Nappy Hair
This article made me think of Naomi *smiles*:

The Rutgers University women's basketball coach said today her players have accepted radio host Don Imus' apology for racist and sexist comments toward the team and they are "in the process of forgiving." Imus met with the Rutgers athletes Thursday night hours after CBS fired him for calling the players "nappy-headed hos."

Here's what Carolivia Herron, a former English professor and the author of the children's book "Nappy Hair," thinks about being "Nappy Haired." The book tells the story of an African-American family extolling the strength and wonder of young Brenda's natural hair while affirming her beauty and culture. Uncle Mordecai is the principal character who praises Brenda, and Herron has written the following article from the perspective of what Uncle Mordecai would say about the sullying of the word "nappy."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/13/herron.nappycommentary/index.html
posted by kbartal at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Thursday, April 05, 2007

Eritrea Bans Female Genital Mutilation - Effective March 31
All I have to say is "Hooray" for a country, that has always been in the news for violence, for stepping up and making a difference in the lives of its women and children. While I am sometimes biased to what CNN reports, this AT LEAST got front page in the world section.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/04/05/eritrea.circumcision.reut/index.html

Up to 140million women have experienced FGM worldwide and estimate another 3million/year will experience it going forward. The ban won't completely get rid of these instances, but will surely play a major role in getting the word out and lessening the number of occurences.

Wanted to share this with you all because I remember seeing a video or two while at DU.

-KB
Labels: Africa, ethics, FGM, international issues, politics, women

posted by kbartal at 12:42 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Earthbound - Enviro Docs Film Series
Calling All Occupants of Planet Earth: Earthbound - Enviro Docs Film Series

Denver Public Library's Fresh City Life partners with Denver Open Media for a film series that celebrates the environment and explores sustainability issues.

In a partnership with Denver's new public access channel, Denver Open Media and The Denver Public Library, the Denver Public Library continues their Fresh City Life cultural programming with their latest installment: GREEN, including workshops, cooking demos, guest speakers and their popular film series. Earthbound – Enviro Docs focuses on some today's hottest environmental topics – including the Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth. This film was produced by Global Warming Activist Laurie David, who will also be the keynote speaker for the finale of this series of events.

Films presented Tuesdays, March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 6:30-9p at the Denver Open Media Studios, 700 Kalamath Street . Roster of films includes Fed Up!, Blue Vinyl, An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car?, and Baraka. Specialists on the subject of each film will host after-film discussion. All films are free to the public.

Full Event Schedule:

Tuesday, March 27 - Fed Up!, (2002)
Directed by Angelo Sacerdote. About 70% of the food we eat contains genetically engineered ingredients and the biotech industry is spending $50 million a year to convince us that this technology is our only hope. Using hilarious and disturbing archival footage and featuring interviews with farmers, scientists, government officials and activists, FED UP! presents an entertaining and compelling overview of our current food production system from the Green Revolution to the Biotech Revolution and what we can do about it. It also introduces us to local Bay Area organic farmers from Purisima Greens Farm and the Live Power Community Farm, presenting community supported agriculture (CSA) and small- scale organic farming as real alternatives to agribusiness and industrial food. 57 minutes. Unrated.

Tuesday, April 3– Blue Vinyl (2002)
Directed by Daniel B. Gold and Judith Helfand. Starring Judith Helfand. You' ll never sit comfortably again on those ubiquitous white plastic lawn chairs after seeing this film; Blue Vinyl, by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, reveals the chemical toxicity, environmental damage and corporate malfeasance in the production of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This funny film offers serious advice about how to get out from under our reliance on chemical materials that we have always assumed were safe. 98 minutes. Unrated.

Tuesday, April 10- An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Starring Al Gore. The controversial documentary that prompted film critic Roger Ebert to write, "In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to." A strong recommendation for a film that tells it like it is: Global warming is real. It is caused by human activity. Mankind and its governments must begin immediate action to halt and reverse it. This film is a primer on climate change and a good starting place for anyone who wants to be involved in making the world and their community more sustainable. After-film discussion hosted by Chuck Kutscher of NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab). 100 minutes. Rated PG.

Tuesday, April 17-Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
Directed by Chris Paine. Told like an episode of CSI: Detroit, this documentary is a loving post mortem on the almost unnoticed rise and suspicious disappearance of the electric car. With all the usual suspects (the government, the U.S. car manufacturers, and big oil) lined up next to some unusual suspects (for instance, YOU, dear viewer), we all get to partake in some accusatory finger-pointing. But when the dust in this humorous documentary has finally settled, you 'll be left with the feeling that something very wrong and very underhanded has happened and you stood by and watched. Redemption and some where-do-we-go-from-here advice in the final minutes offers hope for the future of alternative personal transportation. Don't miss this educational film. 92 minutes.
Rated PG.

Tuesday, April 24-Baraka (1992)
Directed by Ron Fricke. Offering a sense of empowerment in a world that often feels out of control, Baraka is full of intense and exquisite images of life on this small planet. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things, this nonverbal, purely visual film explores our place in the environment a place that is powerful and insignificant all at the same time. "Baraka" is a Sufi word which means variously "essence" or "breath", or most commonly "blessing". The film underscores this title by wordlessly showing the unimaginable beauty of our planet and reminding us what a blessing it is to be here to experience it. A good starting place for anyone who would like to be a good steward of the environment. 96 minutes. Unrated.

Fresh City Life events and programs are free. For programming and event details, visit us on the Web at www.denverlibrary.org/fresh or call 720.865.1206.
Labels: Denver, denver open media, denverevolution, deproduction, earthbound, festival, film, series

posted by Deborah at 2:36 PM 0 comments
Friday, January 05, 2007

execute
when it comes to graphic images of war, terror, torture, or even execution, when does the individual's right to privacy end and the public's right to know begin? this line is a bit fuzzy for me, and still i struggle...

last year, i looked at those ghastly images of torture victims at abu ghraib. last week, i watched the entire video of saddam hussein's execution. my friend and i huddled around my mother's computer and watched in complete silence for two minutes as images of saddam's cold, business-like resignation to his fate gave way to a mix of jubilance and chaos once he stepped through the gallows.

i witnessed the execution of a tyrant in my mother's living room. and i'm not sure how i feel about it...
posted by Plexi at 9:48 AM 0 comments
Monday, September 25, 2006

numbers
as reported this morning on amy goodman's democracy now, the deaths of americans in iraq (2,700) and afghanistan (280) have officially surpassed the deaths (2,972) of americans in the united states following the september 11 attacks.

something to keep in mind as the bush administration continues to scrounge for justifications for their war on terror...
posted by Plexi at 9:02 AM 1 comments
Friday, September 15, 2006

Deproduction Drive-In
Looking for something really cool to do on Thursday nights? How about checking out Deproduction's community drive-in theatre? Deproduction sponsors an outdoor guerrilla drive-in movie held every Thursday starting at 9 PM. View a menagerie of independent, political, progressive and/or art films in a very unique atmosphere. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis, otherwise feel free to bring your own lawn chair or simply view the films from your car. Location varies, so please visit denverevolution for more details. Also, feel free to email drivein@denverevolution.org if you have ANY suggestions for films. Word.
posted by Deborah at 2:18 PM 0 comments