Coming across "The Awkward Truth of 'Make America Great Again'" was like a mini-epiphany. What exactly are these presidential campaigns referring to when they want to "go back"? As a history teacher, I am more than familiar with the myth that our history is not as tidy and simple as we (or textbook companies) kid ourselves to believe.
For whomever preaches about how good the past was, they are ignoring how bad it was for something else. It would be easy to take a jab here at white American men, but that's unfair as that segment is as divided now as ever. Benefits come with a cost - even if some say white American women "benefitted" from staying at home expecting men to be the breadwinners, it "cost" those same women the benefits of pursing a professional passion, ability to travel, or shape the very political climate that surrounded them.
The harsh fact is that American culture NEVER matched "Father Knows Best" or Reaganism. We have never been a socialist utopia either. All along the game has been winners and losers and forgotten marginalists. So whatever campaign slogans arise, they are simply that: slogans, not a way of life. And whatever candidate finally makes it to the White House will [hopefully] quickly learn that give and take with everyone is how anything is accomplished because each term will create winners and losers.
A truly successful term will lessen the forgotten marginalists and not forget our history.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Nostalgia of What?
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Information OverLORD
I deal with a lot technology for my job. I like teaching people how to use it (hence my job). My premise is technology is a tool and once you know how to wield your tools, you become powerful. When I get push back from people that "don't like technology" I am always flabbergasted.
Except when it comes to Twitter.
Given my background, I admit it seems weird that I do not have a Twitter account. It's not that I haven't contemplated it - I've been flip flopping like a tennis match. But the more I think about it, the more I simply can't bring myself to do it.
Lordy, lordy, I am in information overload!
I don't dismiss the value of Twitter but I already have information streaming to me in a variety of forms on a variety of devices; Twitter might push me over the edge. I don't think I can handle hashtag hell right now. Chalk it up to "Spring Forward" as I call it (when the world fast forwards to lightning speed during the months of April and May).
I completely understand the push back now. I don't blame people for wanting a mental break from constant streaming of information. Although I don't understand the desire to hide from technology completely, at least we have the ability to pick and choose our tools.
Twitter will just have to wait to be included in my tech toolbelt.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Is this the New American Form of Imperialism?
This week an icon passed and we were reminded of the vast influence American pop culture has throughout the far corners of the planet.
Within hours of collapsing that afternoon, news of Michael Jackson's rush to the UCLA Medical Center on Thursday, June 25, 2009 was broadcasted around the world via every communication tool available. Aside from the "normal" media frenzy, individuals were trying to be the first to break new developments and alas his death. By dinner time, massive crowds had gathered to begin the mourning process and tributes were immediately presented - from music channels constant music video loops, You Tube clips, Wikipedia biography updates, and personal interviews of family, friends, and fans - billions of people were sharing common experiences simultaneously.
So much so that the web actually collapsed on some servers. I read a CNN byline that said, "How many people does it take to crash the web? One man apparently....if that man is Michael Jackson." The thought that one single African-American male can create that kind of technological response is trully amazing, a testament to the prolific advances in media and world-wide fame. This may be the prime example of a new form of American imperialism.
Phillipino prisoners created a video that was posted on You Tube in which they performed dance to MJ's songs...songs that were initally played on American radio almost 30 years ago and still are today. Ask anyone born between 1968 and 1988 and I bet you they can sing at least 5 MJ songs. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has never heard of him.
Despite all of the drama and frenzy that surrounded one single man, his music and influence in people's lives has continued for over 40 years and will probably will for many more. Through the media, this icon became much more than a simple American export; this icon became the world's top historical pop cultural influence.
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