Slumdog Someblog

There has been some talk of a backlash to recent Academy Award winner Slumdog Millionaire. Although some of it is quite valid, I think the conversation isn’t as significant as it could be. One of the criticisms is that the movie portrays India as a poverty stricken country and doesn’t focus as much on the recent development and wealth of the nation. I agree with this critique and many Americans do hold strong stereotypes of the developing world. However, India does still suffer from grim poverty.
The fact this movie is getting so much attention provides the opportunity for conversation about stereotypes of India, poverty, and the developing world at large. Our media often goes straight to stereotypical images because that is what sells. We don’t want to see an African city that looks like an American city because then it wouldn’t be exotic and that’s what people want to see.

Another criticism was that the screenplay is a fantasy that is based in reality.
“It makes a show of being anchored in a real-world social context, then asks to be read as a fantasy.”
This criticism I feel is an insult to much of the audience. As if, we aren’t able to distinguish fact from fiction. Entertainment is meant to provide elements of fantasy, but they often have real world ingredients. Take for example romance movies. Main characters fall madly in love in one day and live happily ever after. (At least, in Slumdog Millionaire the love affair developed over years.) Love happens in real life, often there are characters and situations we relate to, but everyone knows living happily ever after like that is a farce. The illusion being placed within some authenticity is the best part of romantic movies.

As for the Academy Awards, truth be told I think Benjamin Button should have won for its overall cinematic quality (acting, directing, technical skills, etc.), but Slumdog Millionaire was a beautiful flight of the imagination.

Congo, Coltan, Cash and Crisis!

Violence in Congo is something that I had heard about in connection with my interest in women’s rights. However, last night my eyes and ears really began to open wide to understand the complexity of the situation.

As with so many wars before and unfortunately I’m sure in the future, once you look below the layers you find money as one of the roots of violence. In the “African World War”, as the Congo conflict has been dubbed, is no exception.
The mineral Coltan (Colombo-tantalite) is used in cellphones, laptops and other technology. Corporations have a lack of resources ( and desire) to trace the origins of the coltan used in their product. It is likely that the computer you are reading this blog from contains Congolese coltan. Especially since 80% of the world’s reserves of coltan are found in the Congo region.
Coltan’s problems are far reaching.
Many warlords have been displacing farmers from their land to mine the stuff. This also destroys habitat for the already vulnerable mountain gorilla population.

Working conditions in the mines are dangerous and authoritative.

Not to mention the way the profits are being used to fuel the war and violence against women in the region.
This is an issue that I believe we should all investigate more. As an informed individual I was flabbergasted by this information and felt the urgency to tell others about it. As I learn more I will continue to post more about it!

Corporate Entitlement Complex

I would like every person to raise their hand if they believe that $500,000 a year is a rip off. Even for a stressful and “important” work position. Today, President Obama announced a salary cap of ½ a million dollars for executives in companies that receive a lot of taxpayer bailout cash. Of course, some people on Wall Street went crazy when they heard this news. While others, including myself, cheered. This seems like a perfectly reasonable request, especially for the time being. Perhaps, if the executives end up being profitable and contribute in making American and global society profitable, sustainable and reputable again then the cap can come off.
Considering the fact that U.S. residents are helping them out, they should really appreciate having a job at all. That’s what people tell me, even though I had my hours cut by 20% and therefore my pay. Not to mention that I was underpaid in the first place. Why should I get on board to hand out money to corporate fat cats for yachts, larger homes, sport cars and vacations? (The last one really gets me angry because travel is the luxury I truly envy) Seriously, can anyone give me a good reason?

By the way, if any executives are reading this and want to quit there job because of the salary cap, I'll take you job for a year at $500,000.