Rethinking Power and Protests

A friend of mine recently linked to this post on his Facebook page. 

In short, Tim Wise asks the reader to imagine the Tea Party movement as one made up of African-Americans instead of Caucasians (who represent a majority by most accounts).

Imagine that hundreds of black protesters were to descend upon Washington DC and Northern Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol and White House, armed with AK-47s, assorted handguns, and ammunition. And imagine that some of these protesters —the black protesters — spoke of the need for political revolution, and possibly even armed conflict in the event that laws they didn’t like were enforced by the government? Would these protester — these black protesters with guns — be seen as brave defenders of the Second Amendment, or would they be viewed by most whites as a danger to the republic? What if they were Arab-Americans? Because, after all, that’s what happened recently when white gun enthusiasts descended upon the nation’s capital, arms in hand, and verbally announced their readiness to make war on the country’s political leaders if the need arose.

It’s a powerful piece, and I’d wager most anyone reading it would reach a similar conclusion – even though we have an African-American President, this country is far from being a post-racial society.  Whites are able to engage in activities that, all else remaining equal, non-whites cannot.  Were they (non-whites) to do so, at the very least the reaction would be nothing short of polar opposite when compared to today’s Tea Party movement.  For me, though, the article is not necessarily about today’s Tea Party.  Instead, the author uses this current event to posit a much larger question. 

To ask any of these questions is to answer them. Protest is only seen as fundamentally American when those who have long had the luxury of seeing themselves as prototypically American engage in it. When the dangerous and dark “other” does so, however, it isn’t viewed as normal or natural, let alone patriotic.

Again, powerful stuff… Take a few moments to check it out.

Finding A Purpose

I started this blog a while ago.  Obviously, it’s been a hit and miss venture.  Yesterday, in an effort to overcome this recent (and bold, given my history) claim, I wrote out a post about Earth Day in which I (a) derided the author of an article I disagreed with, and (b) questioned in an arguably disingenuous way how anyone could be anti-The Earth.  I even drew up a comic to go with the post. 

Then, less than five minutes after hitting “Publish,” I deleted it. 

Truth be told, I’m finding less and less value reading blogs and opinion pieces following that formula.  Moreover, I don’t see what possible value my cynical sniping adds to… anything, really.  So I pulled it, deciding instead to focus the purpose of this space on something different.  That’s not to say I won’t post opinions in which I disagree with others (or yourself!), nor am I pledging to limit discussions to rainbows, unicorns, and / or ponies.  What I am pledging to do is take a more introspective look and post items related to my life, experience, and observation.  Oh, and comics, too.

To put it simply, there are hundreds thousands millions loads of blogs where you can read witty criticisms from half-quoted articles specifically chosen because the blogger trolled for material.  I’m not knocking the business, I’m just choosing a different path.  On that note, I hope you’ll stick around and see where this leads. 

Thanks,

The Management

Microsoft Is At It Again

If by “at it again” I mean “losing time and market share to Apple.” 

Anyone with a pulse knows Apple recently released the iPad.  And, for all the hoopla, it’s a decent enough foray into the tablet market… But it’s not this (watch the video).

Certainly, the Courier looks to be an excellent machine – one that would likely compete nicely (assuming a relatively equal price point) with the iPad.  But what’s the old saying?  A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, and that’s where consumers find themselves today.  Buy an iPad now, or wait… apparently until 2011 for the Courier. 

The first details on Microsoft’s supposedly secret Courier project emerged last year, and its design for a folding, dual-screen tablet has drawn a great deal of attention. But this device has apparently been sent back to the drawing board.

Wah wah… While Courier is reworked, consumers are left with the iPad and Apple has a full year (at least) to modify and improve the device.  By 2011, iPad 2.0 will compete with Courier 1.0.  And, if the iPod / Zune battle is any indication, we already know how that will end.

Too Little, Too Late…

…But still nice to see. 

3-0 over West Ham at Anfield is an expected result, in as much as Liverpool can expect anything these days.  With Torres out for the rest of the season, who knows how many more victories we’ll enjoy.  But for now, enjoy the three points.

Fool Me Once, Shame On You…

…Fool me… You can’t get fooled again.

Hopefully not, anyway.  So it’s been a while.  Since August, in fact.  I know many of you have been breathlesly checking back daily, certain your RSS readers were simply broken because there is no way he could have not posted anything since August, right?

Sadly, that’s correct. 

I’ve taken spells off before, and vowed too be a more regular poster after the break.  But this time I mean it.  In the words of this guy, “I’m back, baby, I’m back!” 

See you in a bit… and looking forward to it.

If The Shoe Fits

The Philadelphia Eagles, an organization already known for classy behavior and fans who demonstrate the highest levels of respect, dignity, and hospitality, have taken another step forward in improving their public image by signing Michael Vick.

Please note this is not so much a post about what a bad guy Michael Vick is / was.  For the record, he did plead guilty and serve his time.  It doesn’t change what he did, but he has done all he can to accept responsibility and move forward.

That said, could you ask for a (potentially) better pairing?

100 Years of Effort

I’m a reader.  It’s a habit I formed at an early age, and one I still enjoy.  Recently, I’ve been reading (or rereading in some cases) some of the “should read” books.  I’m currently wading through Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s 100 Years of Solitude and, perhaps contrary to the title of the post, I’m enjoying it.  The prose is beautiful, the descriptions vibrant, and the use of magical realism is nearly perfect.  But it is a bit of a struggle, and I’m not sure why.  With just under 100 pages to go, the book has become like the last round of a heavyweight bout.  When it’s finished I know I’ll appreciate the outcome, but really… can we wrap this up already?

Next on the list is Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth, then back to the “should read” list with a little Nabokov. 

Light summer reading at it’s finest.

All The “News” That’s Fit To Print

Or broadcast, in this case.

Every work day, my wife and I start the morning with breakfast and the news.  At 7:00, our local news ends and transitions to The Today Show on NBC.  The first 30 minutes are generally okay, being more “newsy” in feel than the rest of the broadcast.  That said, I don’t think there’s been a day when I haven’t been frustrated by some of the stories they choose to cover (and the depths at which they’ll cover them). 

Michael Jackson?

Nadia Sulaiman?

American Idol?

Honestly, if they spent half as much time covering legitimate news as they do / did those stories, maybe half the South wouldn’t believe President Obama was born outside the U.S. and maybe people would see through the b.s. people like Sarah Palin spread about possible changes to the health care system.  But that’s not what gets the ratings.

To be fair, this is not a problem solely connected with The Today Show – that’s just the one we watch most often.

Anyway, on to the comic…

Weekend Update

Because I know you care.

The weekend was a good one.  Friday at work wrapped up with some (potentially) exciting news, then transitioned to drinks with the wife and a good friend.  We were home by 8:45 and asleep within an hour.  I woke up ten hours later. 

Apparently I was tired.

Other weekend highlights include:

• Seeing (500) Days of Summer
• Enjoying homemade beef teriyaki (with homemade teriyaki sauce to boot… I win)
• Getting the house cleaned up

I recognize some would take issue with the last bullet, but I’ve got to be honest.  While the process of cleaning is at best draining and dull, the result is usually worth it. 

As far as (500) Days is concerned, I recommend seeing it.  It’s funny, honest, and I can’t recall seeing a movie like it for some time.  Additionally, the soundtrack kicks ass featuring – among others – The Smiths, Simon and Garfunkel, Spoon, Feist, Carla Bruni (yes, that Carla Bruni; and a “well-played” to the wife for calling it out), and Patrick Swayze.

What.  Like you’ve written anything better than She’s Like The Wind.

Anyway, check it out.

Shooting for the Stars, Hitting the Roof

As an update to the last post, tiny Dunmanway Town played a young Liverpool side today.  It was a valiant effort (from the sounds of it anyway), and the result was a respectable 1-0 loss.

In other Liverpool news, Xabi Alonso is gone and – pending a favorable medical exam – Alberto Aquilani will be playing at Anfield this season. 

Finally, Texas A&M football kicks off in 30 days. 

Fall is awesome.