Yeah, I saw it — derprintergang’s “Der Printergang” video:

(Also saw the same video, with different captions, on a variety of other subjects.) Students, as Nazis, concerned about University print policies and residential computer labs – I know it’s over the top, and I do get the point – ouch!

Heard the word on the street about this video throughout campus, including conversations with administrators and faculty. I refrained from replying to folk with DM and e-mail links so I could think about it before I passed it on or made comment. Don’t misread me – I’m not a killjoy; I love a good remix; I live for decent satire; I adore commentary on things going on; and, I think human around race, culture, and ethnicity, when done right, is some of the funniest stuff I’ve heard. My gut told me that this time I needed to move on.

Not sure we’re at a point where people portraying Nazis makes good satire. Reminded me of the unease I felt this summer with the Nazi commentary and remarks embedded in some conversations and demonstrations about health care. Maybe we should be over it. Maybe I’m just part of a generation that’s needlessly sensitive about these images and what they have implied – perhaps it’s time for us to grow up and appreciate humor. Is this akin to the Ego Trip videos that I enjoy? Do I need to just lighten up?

I’ll still think hard before I forward or retweet a satirical commentary that uses Nazis.

Peace.

Saw this clip from The Colbert Report and it reminded me that we still haven’t had the conversation about America’s struggle with race:

So, in this country, is it as we thought – that Obama’s election vindicates the civil rights movement and its creation of a culture where we all can truly be President? Didn’t the election wipe out the old cold race warriors who push cultural and racial differences down our throats? We lived to see the time of a generational understanding that race, in America, does not matter. No guilt required anymore – it’s about our good hearts and the content of your character.

Since the conditions are right, I, too, am sending in my resume for the secretary of post-racial affairs. If President O created one – and I am unsure he would – I could do a lot with the newly created position. (Just think of the water cooler and kitchen talk the messy confirmation hearings would bring.) So this Friday, during Coffee and Conversation, let’s discuss post-racial America and how we continue to move it along. Are we really living in a new post-racial America? What should we expect from the election a year ago? Did changes in racial attitudes amongst us influence the election results? Are we satisfied? Is America’s struggle with race finally over or at least coming to an end?

See you 3-5 p.m. in the Howard Thurman Center. I’m bringing the coffee and cookies; you bring a cup and your best conversation.

Peace

P.S. be sure to stop by the Human Race Machine.

What are you afraid of? Shopping; global climate change; swimming; finding a job; snakes; nuclear proliferation; the start of a New York Knicks season; death; the future; or, Saw VII. We spend a lot of time, effort, and resources dealing with our individual and collective fears. And, most of us will not take a moment to figure out what we’re scared of and why. Instead, we run.

It’s the season for scary things. Today during Coffee and Conversation, instead of running away, let’s talk about fear. What’s the worst thing that can happen? See you in the Howard Thurman Center from 3-5 p.m. Face your fear right now – write down your fear(s) in six words or fewer and bring it. I’ll have plenty of coffee, tea , and cookies (an ensure you that we will keep the lights on).

Peace.

My first response when I saw this video was, “Oh, snap!” I knew this had to be political satire (pretty good stuff, but I couldn’t find the names of the comedy writers). This is real and “keepin’ it real.” Politicians don’t do this kind of thing – show their families, especially when they are not in keeping with what’s believed to be traditional in American society? In America, people who want to get elected do not make tape like this and slam them on the tubes:

True – I never thought I would see this type of ad during my years on this planet. I’ve reconsidered.

This is “gangsta” – maybe the kind of campaign ad that can only fly New York (City); the old school spot where people from all over the world show up and where nothing is traditional. No, maybe this is the result of that era – we gave ourselves to during the last presidential election cycle – that is young, more racially and culturally experienced, and understanding that many folk worked hard to create. Is this the sign of that new America I’ve heard so much about, lately? Or, is this just the usual and time for me to declare the old racial cold war over?

Peace.

P.S. – This is not meant to be an endorsement of the candidate in the video.

]]> http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/28/shocking-yet-inspiring-video/feed/ 0 http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/22/inspiration-matters-students-holding-it-down/ http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/22/inspiration-matters-students-holding-it-down/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:04:36 +0000 Kenneth Elmore http://www.bu.edu/dos/?p=1100

I like my inspiration like my coffee – usually straight up, strong, and, at times, with a little flavor. What inspires me? People who find a passion and show it in their life.

Each year I look forward to recognizing seniors who have distinguished themselves through their campus work—their passions—demonstrating it to us each day. I am inspired to hear the stories of hard-working, intelligent, and thoughtful students making this campus a vibrant thing. It always makes me proud to say that I am in the company of, as my parents would say, “good peoples.”

Tonight, I have the honor of recognizing Jordan Cumper, David Gargulio, David House, Colleen Huysman, Kelly McCarthy, Margaret McKemie, Sean McQuarrie, Emily Pallotta, Lauren Prince, Kelsey Bucher, Jonathan Scagos, Jeremy Schein and Francine Whu – thirteen members of our BU family – for their outstanding work at the University in a Scarlet Key Tapping Ceremony. Come get some inspiration and applaud these students with me – 6 p.m. in the Trustees’ Ballroom, One Silber Way (9th floor). (It’s a unique ceremony that includes a dean wielding a sword – true story!)

Congratulations to our honorees – people who show leadership and inspire straight up, in strong ways, and with a lot of creativity – and I hope I see you tonight.

Peace.

Just don’t get Iran. I read that we misunderstand the place – that is largely secular and liberal both socially and culturally; and, that the majority has a secular attitude towards politics and is open to the West. I also read of the troubling grandstanding, trash talk, and outrageousness of the country’s president?

In some ways, a revolutionary community and one that seems backwards to my Western, East coast educated, university-working, mind.

This summer, I watched the beef with elections in Iran on the tube (television and YouTube), read about it in the papers, and followed it on the net (especially through tweets). For once, I was confused about where to stand and whether to make a green solidarity avatar – I just didn’t understand the country and the issues enough.

So, let’s talk about Iran. Is it worth the energy and resources to be tight with and hang with Iran? Are we focusing in on the right issues? Quashing protestors v. a perceived nuclear threat? The secular centers of power v. a theocracy? Should we continue to sanction the country or push for more engagement? Is the president of Iran relevant? Have our country’s and Iran’s politicos used Iran- and America-bashing to advance unhelpful and unnecessary causes? Can we separate the musings of its president from the feelings of the people of Iran? Should we have a say in how Iran runs its country?

This Friday, during Coffee and Conversation, we’re talking about Iran. Have you been or do you have a connection? Let’s figure it out and send President O a note with suggestions. See you at the Howard Thurman Center, 3-5 p.m. I’ll bring the coffee and cookies; you bring your thoughts.

Until then, peace.

Finally, It’s National Writing Day

GSU hosts celebration, workshops concerning that crucial craft

BY SETH ROLBEIN

Aspiring writers, unite!

It may not be a holiday on the level of Independence Day, or even Columbus Day, but today, Tuesday, October 20, is National Day on Writing, and Boston University is celebrating.

The lineup of events being offered at the George Sherman Union is intended to showcase writing, help aspiring wordsmiths move onward and upward, and highlight writing’s impact on every aspect of our lives.

A writers fair kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Stop by the GSU and help create a giant fridge magnet poem (see those arbitrary words come together in the collective subconscious) and make a 30-second writer’s testimonial video. Who says it’s a solitary craft?

Also from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., writers workshops are being held at various locations around the GSU. Topics include advice about poetry, screenwriting, rap lyrics, family biographies, flash fiction (beating writer’s block), film reviews, and PowerPoints. Don’t tense up about making a choice — there’s time enough to attend more than one session. Space is limited, so advance signup is recommended.

From 7 until 9 p.m., beatnik days return with coffeehouse readings in the GSU Back Court. Food and drink are on the house, but in return expect to read for about five minutes (no longer). The reading can be from original work or something inspirational, fiction or nonfiction, poetry, plays, stories, letters, or some surprising combination. And remember, if people snap their fingers, that means they like the performance.

Seth Rolbein can be reached at srolbein@bu.edu.

________________________________________________

My quick comment:

Love it! Celebrating words. I’m in. Planning on slamming a short portion of a James Baldwin essay with much meaning to me (during tonight’s coffeehouse at the GSU) – My Dungeon Shook: Letter to My Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation.

Words and writing make me think of music. With an ode to some of the great, modern wordsmithers: KRS-One; Lyte; Latifah; Marshall Mathers, and Speech, here’s my playlist for tonight’s reading and writing:

Move – Miles Davis

Lush Life – John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

Fables Of Faubus – Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy

Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock

Chronology – Ornette Coleman

Triptych: Prayer / Protest / Peace – Max Roach

I Don’t Need No Doctor – John Scofield

While My Lady Sleeps – John Coltrane

The Peacocks – Esperanza Spalding

I’m in the Mood for Love – James Moody

Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango

Rouge - Miles Davis

Pt. I – Acknowledgement – John Coltrane Quartet

Solitude – Herbie Hancock

Naima - John Coltrane

Dedicated to You – John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

Eventually – Ornette Coleman

Fantasy – Miles Davis

(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 – Nat King Cole

Lover Man – Chris Botti

Violets for Your Furs - John Coltrane

Body and Soul – Charles Mingus

Perazela – Esperanza Spalding

Godchild – Miles Davis

Sinnerman – Nina Simone

Peace.

John Prendergast with some of you Thursday night in the HTC.

By strange coincidence, this week I had the honor, on back-to-back evenings, of speaking at the two universities that played each other for this past year’s national collegiate hockey championship: Miami of Ohio and Boston University. Although their loyalties may be divided when it comes to hockey, it was amazing to see how united the student bodies of the two schools are in their activism around ending the suffering of people in Sudan and Congo.

At Miami of Ohio, we focused on the “good news stories” emerging out of African peace processes. Contrary to the doom and gloom of most news coverage, Africa is actually full of success stories, of countries that have transformed themselves out of war or crisis into peaceful democracies. There is no reason, with the right diplomatic support from the U.S., that Congo and Sudan can’t be the next ones to transition from war to peace.

At Boston University the students honed in on Congo and how our demand for cell phones and laptops inadvertently helps fuel the worst sexual violence in the world. We focused on what people can do in response. Rather than feeling guilty, angry, or sad, let’s use these same electronic products to call or email the companies that sell us these devices and tell them we want them to produce “conflict-free” cell phones, laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, and video games.

Students have been at the vanguard of the movement to end the genocide in Darfur. They are again leading the charge in helping to catalyze efforts to end the world’s deadliest war in Congo. This week I had the chance to witness how the campus-based human rights movement continues to grow and seek new ways to help change the world for the better.

A few things keep me up at night: getting the word out to our communities; the unreachable; whether our programs are designed to meet the right needs; transitions for people new to our communities; helping the student starting with us to finish on our team; balancing care we can give against the responsibility that we should demand of individuals; whether we’re struggling with conversations about big, messy, tough, important issues and ideas; balancing liberal learning against professional learning; diversity; the economy; the future of colleges and universities; whether any new joints will exist for true funk soldiers; and, weather the Knicks got game this season. I also worry a lot about alcohol – great in some social settings and a disaster in others.

There is a constant call for change to the drinking age in America. Should I be more worried than I am now? This Friday, let’s talk about the drinking age – should it stay or should it go? Twenty-one or 18 – the best way to deal with health, crime, poverty, and drunkenness? How about we just repeal the Twenty-First Amendment? This Friday, I’ll meet you in the Howard Thurman Center, 3-5 p.m. Let’s talk about alcohol and the drinking age. I’ll bring the coffee and cookies; you bring the conversation (and your parents, too).