Is Oscar Diverse Enough?

Jan20

In the news today there is a topic that is odd to me. The Academy Award nominations were recently announced and there is a building furor over the fact that there were no nominations for black actors or actresses. Spike Lee (director), Jada Pinkett-Smith (actress) and now Snoop Dogg (musician/actor) have announced they will be boycotting the Academy Awards by not attending or watching the show.

Here is what I don’t understand: when did the awarding for performance become about proper representation of any demographic? The best film performances and contributions this year might just not be black. Or, perhaps the superior movies or roles for people of color were just not there in 2015? I guess it could be that there were deserving black candidates who were overlooked. Yes, it’s possible.

But if we step back, let us remember that the awarding of an Oscar does not solve world hunger. Not one homeless person will be housed. No war will be averted. Not one fewer inner city murders. The drug war will rage on unfazed. The most that can be said is that someone will make more money. Getting nominated or winning the Oscar will dramatically increase the winner’s bottom line.

Against this backdrop, the protestors seem very self-serving. Ridiculous.

 

 

 

The Immortal Nicholas, by Glenn Beck

Jan17

If you haven’t read this book, beware of the **spoilers** in this post.  

Today I finished the book, The Immortal Nicholas, by Glenn Beck.  All that I knew about this book when I picked it up was that it was some kind of Christmas book.  Truthfully, I only read the book at the urging of my friend, Jess, because we have our own little “book club” thing and she had started the book already.

The story is set in the time and region of the birth of Jesus.  The primary character is present at key events in the life of Jesus, even though his character is not part of the biblical documentation.  Nonetheless, it was somehow comforting to recognize biblical references and feel the tug of Jesus’ call as the story unfolded.  It’s even a good introduction for those who didn’t grow up with these bible stories on the life of Jesus.

Halfway through the book, the storyline took an unexpected turn in “Part 2”.  At first, I was not impressed with this new twist, which at first did not track well from “Part 1”.  However, I stuck with it and I’m glad that I did.  The new direction of the book ended with satisfying conclusion that brought hope to the Christmas story.

In conclusion, this little book brings a different look at a well-known story with a surprise ending.  I think it earned a solid 4-star rating.

 

 

Pondering Guns

Jan6

Today, President Obama announced he would use his executive powers to enact new restrictions on guns. His speech was passionate and he was brought to tears as he explained the impact of the mass shootings in recent years that have taken the lives of children.  It has moved him to action.

When children are violently killed it is beyond a tragedy. It is heart-wrenching. We are crushed and want to take action. Surely there is something we can do to prevent this! I understand the outrage, the helplessness. I feel it. We cannot be powerless, can we?

As we unpack each tragedy, what common factors do we find? A deranged person. A reason. Maybe planning. And many times, yes, a gun. It only makes sense that, in order to feel less helpless, we must do something. Something big and tangible. So a crusade has been on the march to control that gun.

But I don’t get it. I have tried, I really have, to see the straight line between the unimaginable tragedy and stricter gun control. I don’t see it. The widely publicized mass shootings appear to have been with legally purchased guns. I know the passion that wants this to fix it, even a little. But, sadly, I think we are missing the mark.

So what? If even one life is saved because one crazy person who wants to kill us cannot legally buy a gun, isn’t it worth it? Here is my question: When did we start believing that a person who wants to kill us respects the law?  What are we losing by picking a solution that doesn’t solve the problem?

We want action. We want control. We want to say we did something, because inaction in the face of senseless tragedy is unacceptable. What will we do when the next tragedy occurs and the gun was purchased legally?  Will it be time to look for a different solution?