Friday, January 18, 2008

Paul Mooney Showtime Special


This is still on Showtime Demand if you have a friend who can record it. I believe you can also order the video. Paul Mooney has a long career with comedy artists such as Richard Pryor. However, what Paul does best is provide insight into the perceptions of black America.
Because of the language, many schools will never show Paul's show. It is ironic because teachers, social workers, and human service workers that are white across the country repeat the following ideas about the word, "nigger".
"Why can rap songs and black people say nigger too each other. Yet if a white man says nigger, its a big deal."

First of all, I belong to an Italian-American club. We have the same rules. Italians call Italians Wop Diego, Greaseball etc. Yet if a non-Italian called an Italian that, watch out.
Its a cultural issue.

However, watch Paul's show and see how culture and bigotry meet. I included a youtube clip for your enjoyment.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The Running Man


The Running Man is movie made back in 1987 that predicts many of today's problems with stunning accuracy. The movie predicts of a world in 2017 in which global markets have been rocked by declining oil resources and our economies unwillingness to change to alternative resources. The government in return has decided to restrict art and culture.....hmmmmmmm and distract people with a reality TV show known as the Running Man. (I will stop here to prevent spoiling the plot)
The DVD (Five dollars at most stores) includes two excellent documentaries. One is on the Patriot Act and the other is on Reality TV. The documentary on the Patriot Act serves as a haunting reminder of how trampled on our civil liverties are without us realizing it.

I recommend the documentaries for secondary ed and college teachers.