As nervously promised; rant: As I continue to get older, and my constant interactions with a wider variety of people increase, I find myself becoming jaded. Jaded by honestly everyone and everything. And, honestly, more by my so called higher educated/liberal friends than others. The world is so nit picky, so angry, and so unforgiving... calling yourself those terms, or calling yourself open-minded doesnt make you so. When real tragedies are occurring in the world and we sit here and argue about cultural appropriation in media... all I can think is HOW can the same people who understand the intellectual dilemma behind appropriation also not see that they are obsessed with an issue INHERENT to a melting pot? To me, it would seem, that continuing to argue the strength of identity based on race/gender/etc. will only further separate us based on those qualities, rather than tie us together by our one true commonality: Humanity. Am I defending the offensive use/exploitation of race here? No. Am I defending the right for creativity to be explored by those without ill will? Yes. Regardless of your ethnicity, race, gender, etc., I dont believe the actions or words of those here to ENTERTAIN should ever be considered a more pertinent issue to your being than the true crimes being committed on the daily. Even if they shape and mold young minds, I think the overwhelming change that is occurring in Western culture toward race and gender can only be seen as a positive and anyone who critiques it is, truthfully, impatient and incapable of satisfaction. Dont get me wrong; inequality and injustice based on these qualities definitely exists and should be fought... But personally, I dont believe that talent and artistic interpretation are qualities that are subject to race or gender. While those who control these industries, now, may still make decisions based on inequality, it doesnt mean that anyone working within those parameters is evil. Or that the future will hold true in the same vein. Some of us prefer to bide our time versus attack head on, all the time, with unrelenting social and emotional implications. Just because you made it doesnt mean you own it. And just cuz you made it doesnt mean you do it best. To me, that is equality. That is freedom. That is art.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 20:30:42 +0000
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