The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Thoughts on an Interesting Article Regarding White Viewers’ Racial Imagination

The following thoughts are in response to the Huffington Post article directly below, which was posted by a friend of mine on Facebook.  Thanks Dan.  It made me think.  And I couldn’t help but to write a few words [um, yeah, a few…. 🙂 ] in response to it.  This is stuff I actually find myself observing and thinking about often.  So, this was a perfect opportunity to finally get a few thoughts out.  Read the Huffington Post article first, then my thoughts, and let me know what you think.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/olivia-cole/catching-fire-beetee-race_b_4334585.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=3619638b=facebook

Interesting how much white guilt some peeps have.  Articles like this, although they do strike valid points, mass group peoples too much.  Not every white person thinks like this.  Just as not every black person, or brown person or whatever person thinks a certain way, etc., etc., etc.  However, the author does bring up a certain topic that is truly affecting a lot of the white population nowadays, and that’s the white guilt I mentioned above.  There is a lot of that embedded into the minds of the X and Y generations’ white populace.

White guilt tends to cause the “trying too hard” factor, which I find is when whites go out of their way to be overly nice or overly polite or overly sensitive when around people of a darker skin color than theirs.  It can be funny at times, especially because the peeps that are having it happen to them can obviously tell what is going on.  And it’s not to say that it isn’t a good thing that many whites are more conscious of racism and prejudice.  Of course, that’s great.  However comical it can be at times, who’s to say it’s not needed.  It often takes extremes to embed to be natural.

Nevertheless, this white guilt thing still doesn’t negate the prejudice and racism that is still quite embedded into our society, and around the world, for that matter.  The same white dudes that try to act all cool around black dudes tend to be the same white dudes who, when not around black dudes, use the “N” word and say racist ass remarks.  “Closet racism” when around only other members of one’s race seems to be very prevalent.  I know this first hand, as many of my friends throughout my life have been this way…despite my lack of approval and often vocal fights against it.

But there is no white guilt around when this type of behavior occurs in these more private atmospheres.  It’s so ridiculous and such bigotry.  And this isn’t to say this just exists in white society.  I’m fully confident in saying that it exists in all cultures, races and societies.  Until we rid ourselves from racism and prejudice in all aspects of our lives, no matter in public settings or in private social settings, these dark nuisances will continue to exist.

How can we act one way at home or around certain friends and then act another around other groups and say we aren’t prejudice or racist?  It’s a double standard we have to move past.  …..Easier said than done.  But here’s to moving forward.

 

– B

 

 

Something Wrong….In the Neighborhood….

Hey everyone.  I am working on a new site revamp.  Low and behold, I check how the current site is looking today and, well, things are all bad!  I haven’t touched anything in quite a while, so, not really sure why things changed.  Looking into it now!  But expect a much cleaner site soon.  Thanks for your support and patience!

 

–  B

 

HitRECord.org & Turntable.FM….COO!!!

So, I heard about a couple cool sites today…I know, I know…SOOO yesterday.  What evs!  #JosephGordonLevitt’s collaborative production company site called HitRECord.org allows you to upload and share original material with other users on the site.  Once you upload a submission it becomes a “record”, permitting every user the right to use it or remix it in any fashion they like, as long as it’s for another record they are posting back on HitRECord.

If Mr. Gordon-Levitt and his team decides a record is worth the effort and pushes to turn it into a “production”, all of the contributing users have the chance to make a profit off of the work.  HitRECord splits its productions’ proficts 50/50 with its contributors, as it is a pro-profit organization.  They use a non-exclusive license structure.  So, you maintain the rights to your original works.

Cool concept.  I plan on trying it out myself and have already signed up!  For more info, go to www.hitrecord.org.

The other site I heard about today and have already taken the liberty of peepin’ out is Turntable.FM.  Basically, it allows you listen to blast playlists from anywhere around the world that are being produced by DJs or everyday Schmos like yourself.  In essence, you are the DJ for someone else’s get down moments.

This takes online music streaming to a whole new level.  Because, now, you are actually listening to music being put together by someone else using the music you like to hear….with flare!   Rather than simply allowing a program to put music together for you, you’re being interactive.  In fact, another awesome feature is you can actually rate the music the DJ is playing, forcing him to eventually change the song, or, giving her mad props yo!

This site is great for hearing new tunes or your beloved classics.  It’s also a perfect stage for aspiring disc jockeys to get their feet wet and feel out crowds.  Just be ready for the haters, because you know people are WAAAAY more brave sitting behind their firewalls!  And remember, your listeners have the power to change your picks in the end.

All in all, Turntable.FM is a really fun and creative site.  So much for hiring in-house DJs! …..well, I wouldn’t go that far.  😉   Go to www.turntable.fm for mas info.

Never ceases to amaze me the creative thinking going on out there on the web.  Hard to keep up with it all!  Impossible really.  But it’s fun to try.  Hay ohhhhh!!!!

Late.

– B

Believe it.  Do it.

 

***As always, Bryan doesn’t take resp0nsibility for any misspelled words or Names, or, inaccurate facts.  He does his best and, frankly my dears, doesn’t give a damn.  Haters!  🙂  Much love.

 

 

AMC’s Breaking Bad

“Say my name….You’re damn right…”  “Shut the F#$@ up and let me die in peace.”   Man, last night’s #BreakingBad was excellent.  The writers just do such a great job.  It’s not just the dialogue either.  The camera work, the directing of the actors’ actions in line with the dialogue, everything, it’s always just so on point and original.  You think they’re going one direction with things, even coming off a little cliche.  But then they switch it up on you and blast something in your face, or just make it so subtle, so realistic.

The character development is in a class of it’s own.  The way they slowly take the time to make you feel for these people is just the way it should be done.  Mike wasn’t a good guy.  He was a bad guy who’s done very bad things in his life.  But, in the end, I felt bad for the guy.  He was genuinely trying just to get out.  He didn’t want any bull from Walt.  But Walt’s obsession with being the big dog wouldn’t let him leave on the terms Mike tried to leave on.  Mike’s words were his demise.  Again, he wasn’t a good guy, few are in this show.  But the writing, etc. developed Mike’s character so very well, with so many levels, as we all realistically have, that it made you want to like him….at least this is how it was for me.

Damn good show.  Sure, it has it’s small flaws, but they’re just that, small.  And I’d be pressed to find them, and don’t want to take the time to do so since it will mean missing out on all the quality awesomeness going on while I’m being a hater.  If you haven’t tried it for yourself, well, my recommendation is you should.  You might not dig it like so many others are.  But it’s mos def worth a shot.

 

– B

 

 

Waking to Leave

It’s both amusing and peculiar in what dreams may come.

Scenarios of grandeur.

Illusions of the deepest desires.

All to leave at the opening of the eyes.

Only to wish your separation from this world, even if only for a sleepy night, would not end.

A journey away from what you know to be real.

A meeting with those you hold dear.

A chance to live a life not always possible…..

In what dreams may come.

 

 

 

Original X: Bach