I have to say that our presentation went off a lot better than I had envisaged. Points were well made, questions were forth coming, and I think it held together as a presentation (as opposed to four separate sections) really quite well.
One of the points made by the audience during the question and answer at the end did stick in the mind however. It was observed that we were quite negative about multiculturalism, that we skimmed over the better aspects. On reflection of our presentation, although I think quite positive in its analysis of multiculturalism's future, we did seem to work the entire presentation from the stand-point that it was generally thought that multiculturalism was causing problems (or at least, vocal areas of society see it as causing problems), rather than focus on areas where it is currently seen to be doing good. So, in light of that particular comment, I’d like to state - balls to what 'society' thinks. I kinda like multiculturalism, even as it is. It can improve, certainly. But it's not failing. As was said today, the difference in views between our grandparent’s generation and ours are really down to the emergence of multicultural thinking, and that can't be a bad start.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
A Ramble on Multiculturalism
One of the things that strikes me about society, pretty much all the time, is that we expect instant results. For everything. Any government policy put in to place is barely given time to adjust and steady itself before criticisms are made that it is ineffectual. And that is understandable. We all deserve the results now, whether they be less crime or better hospitals. If you think about it long enough, you end up wanting to believe in the long-term, the thorough, help for future generations, but fighting the feeling that while you very much do want the world to get better, you were kind of hoping it would happen a little quicker so you could enjoy it.
Mull it.
The reason I started with that is because I think the argument between social impatience and the long term-fix is just as applicable to the arguments we've had over violence and hatred. And the reason is this: When we looked at cock-fighting, we were looking at a successful culture with centuries of history, and in the same way, when we look at cultural groups that have had their historical traditions taken away and adjusting is causing problems, we have been singing the praises of the social cohesion of tradition, and that we now lack it as, especially in this country. What really, really irks me about this attitude is that we are forgetting that tradition, by definition, take time to develop. To me, if we say that the cosmopolitan multicultural society we have aspired to and are now criticising is lacking in tradition it is because the very concept is barely 20 or 30 years old. How can we criticize something new culturally because it has no traditions, when we seem to agree on the tenets of equality or human rights, the very thing it is based on?
(Remember, multiculturalism does not mean you can't ever publically dislike anyone again - it means that you reserve judgement on someone until you know their views and lifestyle, not just the colour of their skin or the religion they identify with, or even their musical taste. If they like killing babies, it's ok to dislike them. Even if they like doing something that they've taken from their culture or religion that you find abhorrent, it's ok to dislike them. It's that you can't judge other people who could claim the same culture or religion to have the same views. That's the point, and the end of that ramble.)
The binding point is that, just like government policy, cultural shifts need time to grow, to settle, and plan for the long term. No body, especially not me, would say that we shouldn't attempt to quell the violence and crime in this country. That's individual daily police work, taxation, and the justice system. It does not mean that we should abandon multiculturalism. The Civil Rights movement in the U.S.A saw violence and hatred directed at the black community, and then, eventually back at the white community. Some say the election of Obama is the culmination of the civil rights movement, something that started nearly fifty years ago with Rosa Parks on a bus. Few (and certainly no one I would pay attention to) would say that the civil rights movement was wrong, that the violence seen around it wasn't a worthy cost for the result. Like multiculturalism, it drew violence, but didn't encourage it as an idea. Let’s wait fifty years, and see how multiculturalism and society is faring then.
God I’m opinionated tonight.
Paul Harrison
Mull it.
The reason I started with that is because I think the argument between social impatience and the long term-fix is just as applicable to the arguments we've had over violence and hatred. And the reason is this: When we looked at cock-fighting, we were looking at a successful culture with centuries of history, and in the same way, when we look at cultural groups that have had their historical traditions taken away and adjusting is causing problems, we have been singing the praises of the social cohesion of tradition, and that we now lack it as, especially in this country. What really, really irks me about this attitude is that we are forgetting that tradition, by definition, take time to develop. To me, if we say that the cosmopolitan multicultural society we have aspired to and are now criticising is lacking in tradition it is because the very concept is barely 20 or 30 years old. How can we criticize something new culturally because it has no traditions, when we seem to agree on the tenets of equality or human rights, the very thing it is based on?
(Remember, multiculturalism does not mean you can't ever publically dislike anyone again - it means that you reserve judgement on someone until you know their views and lifestyle, not just the colour of their skin or the religion they identify with, or even their musical taste. If they like killing babies, it's ok to dislike them. Even if they like doing something that they've taken from their culture or religion that you find abhorrent, it's ok to dislike them. It's that you can't judge other people who could claim the same culture or religion to have the same views. That's the point, and the end of that ramble.)
The binding point is that, just like government policy, cultural shifts need time to grow, to settle, and plan for the long term. No body, especially not me, would say that we shouldn't attempt to quell the violence and crime in this country. That's individual daily police work, taxation, and the justice system. It does not mean that we should abandon multiculturalism. The Civil Rights movement in the U.S.A saw violence and hatred directed at the black community, and then, eventually back at the white community. Some say the election of Obama is the culmination of the civil rights movement, something that started nearly fifty years ago with Rosa Parks on a bus. Few (and certainly no one I would pay attention to) would say that the civil rights movement was wrong, that the violence seen around it wasn't a worthy cost for the result. Like multiculturalism, it drew violence, but didn't encourage it as an idea. Let’s wait fifty years, and see how multiculturalism and society is faring then.
God I’m opinionated tonight.
Paul Harrison
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Baudrillard.
When I first began to look at Baudrillard and his theories in this module his ideas and opinions confused me. He takes on a whole different way of looking at life and society and the way people work.
After looking more carefully at his views on consumerism and the idea of the code I have began to understand his way of thinking.
Most interestingly I think are his views on the sign values of objects. It is not so much about what the item is but what it means and suggests to other people.
Functional,exchange and symbolic values of objects is also an interesting point as they are all things that everybody comes across on a day to day basis. It just depends in which form.
After trawling the internet for information I came across a website that gives quite an interesting breakdown to Baudrillard and his career. It is quite easy to understand therefore being one of the reasons I was able to pick up on his theories further. (I think I needed it dumbing down haha) It helped me to understand a little bit more on his views.
http://www.egs.edu/faculty/baudrillard.html
Another good website to check out is http://englishscholar.com/baudrillard.htm
It has links to lots of resources and his writings on there for anyone who wants to read more into his work.
After looking more carefully at his views on consumerism and the idea of the code I have began to understand his way of thinking.
Most interestingly I think are his views on the sign values of objects. It is not so much about what the item is but what it means and suggests to other people.
Functional,exchange and symbolic values of objects is also an interesting point as they are all things that everybody comes across on a day to day basis. It just depends in which form.
After trawling the internet for information I came across a website that gives quite an interesting breakdown to Baudrillard and his career. It is quite easy to understand therefore being one of the reasons I was able to pick up on his theories further. (I think I needed it dumbing down haha) It helped me to understand a little bit more on his views.
http://www.egs.edu/faculty/baudrillard.html
Another good website to check out is http://englishscholar.com/baudrillard.htm
It has links to lots of resources and his writings on there for anyone who wants to read more into his work.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Violence within film
A lot of todays displays of violence are featured within the media and in particular the film industry. Whether used for slapstick comedy humour, vicious visceral horror violence or a dramatic attack during an argument or fight, violence is a prominent feature within many films. Included films for children. Is this ever focused on as a truly negative topic?
Are we teaching children that violence is funny or a part of everyday life? As violence becomes so regularly used it seems more shocking and extreme events are shown in films in order to provoke a shock reaction from the audience. Does this tell us that we are simply used to seeing violence and are immune to such events so more shocking outbursts are being created in order to take effect?
After research I came across an interesting argument that highlights my point of just how prominent violence is within the media and everyday life.
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/business_media_violence.cfm
Should we try and shelter future generations from acts of violence and violence as a theme within the film industry or just accept that this is part of everyday life and say welcome to the real world?
Sarah Broome.
Are we teaching children that violence is funny or a part of everyday life? As violence becomes so regularly used it seems more shocking and extreme events are shown in films in order to provoke a shock reaction from the audience. Does this tell us that we are simply used to seeing violence and are immune to such events so more shocking outbursts are being created in order to take effect?
After research I came across an interesting argument that highlights my point of just how prominent violence is within the media and everyday life.
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/business_media_violence.cfm
Should we try and shelter future generations from acts of violence and violence as a theme within the film industry or just accept that this is part of everyday life and say welcome to the real world?
Sarah Broome.
Monday, 1 December 2008
The Cock Is A Muscle...
"The cock is a muscle, You just gotta learn to use it!"
Kyle Gass - Tenacious D
The lecture on cockfighting, and the section I wrote in my essay interested me greatly. I had really mixed feelings at the start of the lecture, and I had questions on the validity of the chosen section being on the course. However over time and after research, the cockfighting ands its metaphorical meanings gave me insight into so much about human nature.
With the group doings its presentation on the possbile harm of multiculturalism, I went back to my original essay and began to wonder about if the cockfighting was really an outlet of violence and hatred, a way of expelling physical anger and discharge bad energys by focusing on the animals, or was it a vicious blood sport that could cause MORE violence, as a crowd enjoys the fights.
After flicking through my notes I stumbled across my old friend 'ambivalence', however now I'm alot more friendly with the term, where as before I was spectical about the possibility of having a family member you feel ambivilant towards for example. The way ambivalence was linked to cockfighting was brilliant, the idea of personification of the animals, they way they are groomed, presented and prized, added with the sheer brute anamalistic nature that the villagers are shameful of really made the penny drop on ambivalence
I tried to think of how I could relate an idea of ambivalence in the sense of community in Britain, to show a way a community has an act that it loves and hates, to bring about a better society. However considering Wolverhampton is one of the most anti-social and secular places i have ever come accross this was hard pushed. I think the liberal/capatalist system that focuses on the individual causes this, we no longer wish to help a community, and we dont relize a thriving community helps us, we just want it all for ourselves...
Kyle Gass - Tenacious D
The lecture on cockfighting, and the section I wrote in my essay interested me greatly. I had really mixed feelings at the start of the lecture, and I had questions on the validity of the chosen section being on the course. However over time and after research, the cockfighting ands its metaphorical meanings gave me insight into so much about human nature.
With the group doings its presentation on the possbile harm of multiculturalism, I went back to my original essay and began to wonder about if the cockfighting was really an outlet of violence and hatred, a way of expelling physical anger and discharge bad energys by focusing on the animals, or was it a vicious blood sport that could cause MORE violence, as a crowd enjoys the fights.
After flicking through my notes I stumbled across my old friend 'ambivalence', however now I'm alot more friendly with the term, where as before I was spectical about the possibility of having a family member you feel ambivilant towards for example. The way ambivalence was linked to cockfighting was brilliant, the idea of personification of the animals, they way they are groomed, presented and prized, added with the sheer brute anamalistic nature that the villagers are shameful of really made the penny drop on ambivalence
I tried to think of how I could relate an idea of ambivalence in the sense of community in Britain, to show a way a community has an act that it loves and hates, to bring about a better society. However considering Wolverhampton is one of the most anti-social and secular places i have ever come accross this was hard pushed. I think the liberal/capatalist system that focuses on the individual causes this, we no longer wish to help a community, and we dont relize a thriving community helps us, we just want it all for ourselves...
Violence and hatred
When referring to violence and hatred I have been surprised at how many different views there are to take on it. Before joining this module I tended to take the view that violence and hatred is bad. End of story. No other options explored. But after being in this module for a number of weeks now I have explored different views and opinions on the subject. Views that I myself do not neccessarily agree with but can accept and learn about other peoples cultures and experiences.
The lecture on cockfighting in Bali was one of the most prominent lectures for me as it touched upon a subject I feel strongly about which is animal cruelty. To me the idea of cockfighting is cruel and unnecessary but it was interesting to learn about the culture and the process of cockfighting and the social values it holds within Bali.
The fact that everyone is involved and it brings the community together is a positive factor which is a point I would not have considered before taking the module. I would have just seen the outer view without exploring other options. The module has been a real eye opener. I still do not agree with the act itself but am open minded enough to see both sides and it does have its positive factors.
When doing the first assignment I based my creative writing around the idea of cockfighting and its values. I wrote a piece based on the line "Before the fight". I used a website that helped me understand cockfighting a little more as there was an article written about all the different aspects such as religious aspects, preliminaries and gambling. For me it helped to break down the different views and aspects involved to understand from every point the process of cockfighting.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~boweevil/baliwasantara.html
Just a little opinionated blog there from me. Will add something with a little more substance in due course.
Sarah Broome.
The lecture on cockfighting in Bali was one of the most prominent lectures for me as it touched upon a subject I feel strongly about which is animal cruelty. To me the idea of cockfighting is cruel and unnecessary but it was interesting to learn about the culture and the process of cockfighting and the social values it holds within Bali.
The fact that everyone is involved and it brings the community together is a positive factor which is a point I would not have considered before taking the module. I would have just seen the outer view without exploring other options. The module has been a real eye opener. I still do not agree with the act itself but am open minded enough to see both sides and it does have its positive factors.
When doing the first assignment I based my creative writing around the idea of cockfighting and its values. I wrote a piece based on the line "Before the fight". I used a website that helped me understand cockfighting a little more as there was an article written about all the different aspects such as religious aspects, preliminaries and gambling. For me it helped to break down the different views and aspects involved to understand from every point the process of cockfighting.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~boweevil/baliwasantara.html
Just a little opinionated blog there from me. Will add something with a little more substance in due course.
Sarah Broome.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Jack The Ripper
Even though I am in the violence and hatred group I still took an interest in the Jack The Ripper topic after hearing about it in lecture and looked up the subject myself. I came across a metropolitan police website giving a lot of helpful information on the case so thought I would post the link for anyone who wanted to check it out for themself (mainly intended for Jack The Ripper groups)
http://www.met.police.uk/history/ripper.htm
The topic does however tie in with violence and hatred which links together with my studies and I have found it interesting to explore the reasoning behind the Jack the ripper murders. Were they just violent outbursts or hate related crimes? Any thoughts?
http://www.met.police.uk/history/ripper.htm
The topic does however tie in with violence and hatred which links together with my studies and I have found it interesting to explore the reasoning behind the Jack the ripper murders. Were they just violent outbursts or hate related crimes? Any thoughts?
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