Racism is a by-product of the myth that human assets and liabilities are influenced by one's racial/ethnic background. This myth was created some time ago by those seeking to divide, conquer and control, and its purpose was to goad us into competing against each other from a racial or ethnic (racism within a race) perspective. By doing so we focus on climbing as high as we can within the supposed racial hierarchy, while those at the the top give their full attention to the acquisition of more money and more power to ultimately achieve their own virtual reality of total control. Try as we might to convince ourselves that racism no longer exists or that we will not participate in its perpetuation and sustainability, we still find ourselves in its grasp.
As you might have ascertained from a previous posting, I love me some movies. I see them as a microcosm of real life and sometimes get caught up in discerning the writer/producer's intent. Years ago my friend Les gave me a veritable and important bit of advice when he admonished me to stop scrutinizing so much and accept non documentary films for what they are, a form of entertainment. Well I'm trying Les, but there's one thing that never fails to take me back to an analytical mode. Why is it that the black man is usually the first and/or only character to die or be killed? Have you guys ever noticed that? I was intrigued by L.L. Cool J's response to a life threatening situation in the 1999 movie Deep Blue Sea, and wonder to this day why it was an intended part of the script. The line was, " Ooh I'm done. Brothers never make it out of situations like this! Not ever!" Samuel L. Jackson's character had already been killed in that particular movie, and I've seen plenty of movies since then where neither the 'brothers' nor 'sisters' make it to the end of the movie.
My latest experience was with the movie 'Savages' where the only black guy, in a group of six or seven para military commandoes, was killed in a seemingly inconsistent manner. He's sent to protect the female co-star, in a different car mind you, and as he's trailing her he's stopped by a supposed police officer who shoots and kills him. Now you tell me, what was the real purpose for his being in that particular scene? Every member of his group had bit parts, with no real dialogue. What was it about him, what did he have beside a different complexion that the other six members of his group did not?
Well I'm still going to attend movies cause that's just what I do. However I'd appreciate some feedback in regard to how to either overlook these racial inferences and innuendos and accept them for what they are, or deal with them in a manner that doesn't nourish, substantiate and support that virtual reality of the existence of racism.
Ironically, this posting was composed prior to my hearing about the non racially motivated killings at the showing of the 'Dark Knight Rises' movie in Colorado, and seems so minute in comparison to the tragedy of humanicide (killing of humans beings due to man-made issues). However it points to the urgency and importance of addressing and resolving our social illnesses, no matter how we gauge their importance, and aptly illustrates how movie writers, directors, and producers can use the film industry as a means for doing just that.
Holla at me ya'll...
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