THE POLITICS OF CENSORSHIP

This blog entry by Alicia Lua.

The story: "Is Clinton's candidacy blocking 'Path to 9/11'?"

The analysis:

I chose this article from LA times because probably the most obvious example of intolerance in our society today is the existence of censorship, and this is a clear example of how people in power can control what citizens may see. Under this circumstance, The Clintons’ wanted to protect their reputation because this series shows the Clinton Administrations failure to capture Osama Bin Laden and some facts surrounding the attacks themselves. So this situation can be a dangerous precedent for them. Especially now , when Hillary Clinton is fighting for the 2008 presidency.

I have a strong belief that this article shows the ways in which people in power have the authority to decide what people should see, and do not agree with them because every citizen has the right to choose what they want to see or hear, no matter the context of the subject. Another aspect in which censorship is unfair and selfish deals with our rights and the First Amendment which give the right to express ideas, there is also a right to receive them. So under, this circumstance, we have the right to see or choose any serie or DVD we want to if we do not like the content, that does not mean we have to force others not to read it.

With this article, we can see how people in power (The Clintons’) want to create an illusion, that the world is perfect and that there are not any problems. Moreover, every human citizen wants to know everything about our society and then society should be given the chance to know the real situation and decide what to do based on reality and not on its beautiful mask. Thus the general opinion that lack of censorship means ignorance and carelessness about the well being and morality of people contradicts with the results of the careless and ignorant way by which some topics are defined as taboos and are avoided. Censorship is a made up and ignorant. Most of the time, people pretend that problems do not exist. This is done so that the society’s feeling of security is not disturbed. However, sooner or later, the difficulties emerge in one form or other and cause even bigger crisis. As we can see with the problem The Clintons’ are facing when they are trying to block “The Path of 911.”

It is my desire to persuade people that some censorship is not right. Evidently it seems the government has evaded the subject that has occurred. In order to change this idea of censorship, it will take a strong, loud voice of unanimity to bring censorship down and let freedom of expression to reign untarnished.

NAKED MORTENSEN

This blog entry by Brian Mendoza.

The story: "Viggo Mortensen gets nude for Eastern Promises fight scene."

The analysis:

Currently, most movie critics are giving praise to director David Cronenberg’s film, Eastern Promises. Released last Friday, the film has already become notorious for its “realistic-violence.” But what the film is even more notorious for is a 4 minute naked fight scene acted out by Viggo Mortensen. After viewing the film--which I thought was the best film of the year—I began reading articles and reviews to see what other people were saying. Sure enough, most of them (such as the link attached) had to mention the nakedness of Viggo. The news article attached gives Viggo’s insight on the scene, how women have been waiting to “strip” him down, and his background.

What I think is relevant, however, is not Viggo’s insight on the film, but how much the popular media is selling the 4 minute scene as if that is the only reason to see the film. Moreover, I think many people will indeed follow these instructions. And if people do follow these instructions then we do have proof that popular media, which connects our culture, has an influence on what we decide to do.

The fact that Naomi Watts says this scene will be remembered gives one much to ponder about. If people do indeed see this film because of a naked man and it sells well, then I am sure Adorno would agree with the strong possibility that such a scene will become standardized in mainstream rated R movies. Hollywood already plays with our sexuality by starring good-looking women and men in the movies, but director Cronenberg goes one step further (although I do not think the scene it is a deliberate intention to persuade sexuality).

Another thing to consider in relation to the article is the fact that the scene and attention is given to a man. After all the medias attention only reinforces that it is ok for a man to be fighting naked, but I am sure that the news would be more outraged if it was preformed by a woman. Even though sex and the media usually focus on women, only a man could fight off intruders naked. Thus, gender roles are prescribed. The man should be macho while the woman is passive. Full nakedness is ok for a man but a woman needs to have some sort of cover up (even if it does not cover much). One can see it is merely the subjects discussed by pop culture mediums which can guide behavior. They need only to refer to sex and we get ideas which we then try to guide.

THE HIP-HOP SHOWDOWN

This blog entry by Tina Perez.

The story: "Kanye West's Sales Triumph, By The Numbers"

The analysis:

The battle between Kanye West and 50 Cent is still going on and they are even getting out of hand with each. Both of the artist are saying things about one other just because they are getting ready to sell the album. Their albums „Graduation‰ by Kanye West and „Curtis‰ by 50 Cent were the most bought cd‚s this month . The Graduation sold about 800,000 world wide and Curtis sold about 600,000which basically saying that Kanye did better on his album than 50 Cent. The big battle was that they were both going to release their album on the same day which meant they were battling for the best seller or to top the rank of the most sold. 50 Cent even said that he would stop rapping if Kanye sold more then him but he later on change what he said. Even before the album was going to get release these artist were out campaigning getting people to buy there album.


Jay Z who is the ceo of Def Jam recording made a comment saying „it‚s a good sign that heartful,sincere and honest music can do these types of numbers‰(Jayson ,Rodriguez).What are they trying to say that 50 cent music is ghetto and bad for the consumer to listen to. Both of these artists come from different background like Kanye went to college were 50 cent was struggle to survive the street of Queens New York. At one point 50 cent was having a temper tantrums attack because people in the industries found out about his video „Follow My Lead‰ and that made him upset. People were finding out information that he did not want them to know.

My attracted to this article was I like both of these artist and I enjoy their music but am confused why they are fighting with each other. I love to listen to 50 cent because of his lyric‚s and what he trying to tell us about growing in a hard life. It help understand how he see the world and what it did to him. Knaye music is so different from 50 cent his lyric‚s are way different not so much violence in them. I really can not relate to the words he saying but I enjoy the beats of them. In my eyes I think when two artist like 50 cent and Kanye West fight all it does is bring attention to them and the consumer want more. All the fight does is make more money for them and the record label. Just like when 2pac and Biggie small were fighting 2pac said it help them bring more money to them. I think that why every artist fight once in their life with other artist. If you think about the consumer will follow every story on these artist if they like them. I wonder if these artist plan to fight with each other to make that money. The point that am trying to make is that the consumer is helping them make that money.

BECKER AND GLADWELL READINGS

These are the two readings for week 5:
Howard Becker: Art as Collective Action
Malcolm Gladwell: Rumors, Sneakers and the Power of Translation

KELLEY AND LEBLANC READINGS

These are the readings for next Thursday and the Tuesday after that, respectively:

Robin Kelley: Kickin' Ballistics, Kickin' Reality

Lauraine LeBlanc: "I'll Put On My Lipstick Then Kick Their Ass."

CURRENT READINGS

For some reason, the documents I uploaded to E-Reserves (and which were approved) are not showing up in the system.

For the sake of making things simpler, I'll upload documents to both there and here so you will always be able to find them here.

Adorno: On Popular Music

Henslin: On Becoming Male

Sivulka: Targeting Women

ADORNO READING

The reading for next Tuesday, Adorno's "On Popular Music" is available through the Erserves system for the class. The password is "soc490".

Questions to keep in mind:

1) What does Adorno think is the relationship b/t the culture industry and the consumer?

2) What do you think he gets "right" and what he gets "wrong"?

3) How can Adorno's ideas apply to contemporary times, more than half a century later?