There has recently been much discussion about the movie "Crash" on these list serves.
Since I help moderate some of these list, I usually do not want a lot of discussion type posts, since these list are mainly for announcements and breaking news stories. A lot of people do not want a lot of discussions to crowd their in boxes. But I thought this was an important discussion It started by a forwarded post by Prof. Robert Jensen from Texas. I know him a bit and have run an article by him in Change Links. His point is the film did not deal with wide spread institution racism and while focusing in on more individual incidents that "might" be occurring in LA. Some others have criticized the film saying it over emphasized racism in LA, saying people general get along much better than it suggested.. Some critics of Jensen came in saying that he is being abstract (to use just one term) and that the film does raise valuable issues. I have NOT seen the film so can't comment on it directly. From the reviews, clips, etc. it did seem to me that it was dealing with more with individual prejudices rather than dealing with the more destructive wide spread institutionalized forms. As political activists it is very difficult to change or deal with the individual forms. We can't grab folks by the collar and insist they become better people and love everyone. What we should try to do, is find issues that we can unite on. Through out history, dominate cultures, religions, races and ethnic groups have used prejudices against other groups, smaller one at times, to basically to divide and conquer to secure their power and wealth. It is certainly not a white European phenomena . Its occurring around the world today. BUT, the film does seem raise real issues occurring today in LA. On the streets, in schools, and ever where else you have a lot of prejudices occurring. Not only Whites, Latinos and African Americans at each other. Mexicans against Central Americas. Mexicans, African Americas, Armenians fighting amongst themselves. Blacks, Jews, Koreans at times at each other. (the famous quote by "Football" Williams, "get the white boys and Buddha heads") The fights in local jails between Mexican and Black gangs. The reaction by some members of the Black community towards the recent massive immigrant marches. It is quite real and I see nothing wrong with raising the issues. I imagine the film in a dramatic sense tried to get people to look at these issues and how many people do live. To begin to fight against institutional forms of racism, we have to start working together. We cannot let ruling circles divide us. We might not rid each other of all our personal quirks but we can try to raise above them (which will led to getting rid of them all together). I do agree with the critics of Jensen, that the answers are not bringing out the heavy hammers of "politically correct" slogans to be helpful. Lecturing people who are trying to deal with real issues with long winded politically analysis not always productive. And yes one thing that has hurt the progressive/left movements over previous decades has been this holier than thou position some have taken to "prove" themselves correct and belittle others. Not only about race but a wide range of issues. Like the self appointed saviors of women who always like to hammer other men about paternalism and male chauvinism. As long time activists we are use to narrow agendas but I have seen many others flee rather than to put up with them. In organizing one of the first things you learn is first relate to others, where they are at, not where you are at. One reason the Sixties were successful was that along with being aggressively radical at times, people also had fun. People had sex, smoked dope, listen to rock and roll music, danced, produced avant garde art, etc. (and yes later learn from some mistakes that were made). Its no mistake that one of the first things the ruling classes went after was this alternative culture that was forming. Some leftist at times sound like religious zealots and instead of calling people sinners and quoting from the bible, they quote from the latest indicts from the Central Committee. John Johnson Change-Links Progressive Newspaper [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.change-links.org Subscribe to our list server. 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