Part II: Final "School's Redneck Day"

http://www.newser.com/story/167238/schools-redneck-day-does-not-go-over-well.html

The recent media event I chose is small in comparison to some I could have chosen, but I feel as though this is a very good example on the current state of America and diversity. The article is about a school in Arizona that organized a school wide "redneck day". This was of interest to me because they stated it was in honor of the show "Duck Dynasty" that features a family of self-named rednecks who made a substantial career through selling hand made duck calls. As an avid watcher of this show, I felt like this was an article that is important to reflect on.

The show "Duck Dynasty" is an important view into where America is headed. While the show chronicles a family full of "red necks" whose antics are entertaining, the general public fails to recognize the deeper and more substantial messages that it portrays. Nearly all of the main characters are college educated individuals or are pursuing higher education. The only individual in the show is the Uncle, a Vietnam War veteran who did not have the chances the others had. While most people only watch for the funny moments and crazy commentary, the most substantial message the show presents is a family unit who looks out for each other, preaches positive values and are believers in God. The children in the show are all respectful of their elders, a trend in recent years that has not been reflected in television since 7th Heaven. Respect for elders and positive family values are seemingly on a downward trend in America, where divorce has been on the rise in recent years to the point where at this point in time 50% of marriages currently end in divorce. Furthermore, as a family unit of educated and successful business men who still make time for family and run a family run business, counters the belief that to be successful, some part of a persons personal life must be sacrificed. Lastly, the end of every episode is the entire family eating and praying together. Almost no television show in the past 10 years that involves religion, has been met with the same popularity and fan base.

I chose this article because I feel as though this show is an important reflection on where we are headed as a nation, in both positive and negative aspects. My issues with the idea of a "redneck" day in a school lies in the fact that they reference an individual who wore a confederate flag. This is where as a country I see us moving back as a nation. Our downfall as a country is that even in a post Civil War era, we have not come very far. As a nation who prides itself on being a melting pot of cultures, an argument could be made that we are instead just a segregated pot of individuals who coexist to a point, but do not actually mix. In recent years, and through living in Milwaukee (one of the most segregated cities in the US) I have noticed a trend of groups of individuals continually sticking to their own, protecting their own, and avoiding the inevitable globalized world that demands integration. This is a scary example of people reverting back to the Pre-Civil War trends. In addition, this article is a reflection of the problem with one-track minded people. The kids at the school focused on the basic superficial messages of the show. Those that don't see the importance of the messages that this show - a show unlike 95% of television shows - is imparting on the general public, are the people who contribute to the lack of diversity in the America.

The positives that come from this show, are not so much a reflection on the diversity in the America, but a start to a change in values that has been a long time coming. Showing positive, educated, and innovative people who created wealth from a small idea is a step in the right direction to changing opinions on the messages we have been bombarded with throughout the MTV generation. It is a show that features neither young girls having children, nor drunk coeds doing idiotic things and making a better living than most of the college educated public.It finally gives a glimpse into a functioning family unit that deal with issues head on and doesn't try to be anything more. Instead of being bombarded with what I believe to be are distractions, it is finally presenting a positive image.

What I see the show as is a start to what should be coming. If the general public can wake up and see the bigger picture, even in something so small as a television show, producers and the general population alike will begin to wake up and want more. What this show has sparked is the idea that people want to watch normal people function like a "normal" unit. This could lead us on the path to actually becoming the melting pot that the US has always claimed to be. It begins with one "red neck" family, and should continue on to positive representations of all races and denominations.

What you asked of us to take from this course is a new understanding of the intricacies of race, religion, among many other things. You asked us to delve into the realities that have been ignored for so long in American culture, to look past the superficial. As a human being I can say that the movies we watched, the readings, the videos and the recordings we listened to, I took with a grain of salt at first. For too long I chose ignorance when it comes to things like the "tolken black guy" and the "whooping Indian". This is the reality of so many American's which is why there is no argument for the current state of diversity and culture in America. Diversity and culture exists, but in a superficial and segregated way. We as American's thrive off of stereotypes and pretend to understand the subtle intricacies without actually delving deeper into them. This article is a reflection of that problem.

In closing, I wanted to call to attention something that was said to me the other day. "They can make a movie called white men can't jump, but when you make a movie called black men can't swim then there is a problem". This quote along with the ridiculous "red neck day" article are the best reflection on the current state of affairs in our country. Everyone, in every race and group of people wants each other to feel bad for each others situations. The point where our nation will move forward is when people can put those feelings of discrimination and blame behind and learn to move forward towards becoming the great melting pot and country we claim to be. Until these changes happen on all accounts - black, white, Indian, Native American,etc - we will continue to move backwards and allow history to repeat itself over and over.

Film Form and Representation Bio About Moi

Hello Film 150 World and anyone else lucky enough to stumble upon this humble blog!

Call me Chelsea. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; left for a couple years to explore the world and live in Paris for about two years, then straight back to finish up my degree. I was raised Catholic, Irish Catholic that is, with the guilt and all and continue to practice to this day. While I don't attend church as much as I am supposed to, I attended a Catholic High School that instilled upon me a certain level of faith in the church. While I don't feel comfortable rating my class back round, I will say that I have not had the pressures imposed upon me that money and class usually provide. Rarely have I needed to worry about funds, not simply because of my family; but also because I have been blessed or molded into an extremely hard working individual who can make anything within reason available. I am one of six children, 5 girls and 1 lucky boy who just happens to be the youngest. I am lucky enough to be the second oldest and the most grounded (only if you ask me). Caitlin is 24 and currently planning her wedding and I am not far behind in age at 23 but far from making the plunge into marriage and adulthood just yet. Kinnsael, Avonlea, Lisdon and Padraic are all younger than us and are all named after towns in Ireland; whereas, I am named after an antique store my mother loved in Door County, Wisconsin.

Coming from a rather large Irish Catholic family I have come to love and accept them in the best way possible. I admire many things not only about my immediate family but about my extended family as well. We all live in the same general vicinity, therefore I see more of my family than should be allowed. I admire many characteristics of my family and would not change them for the world but that does not mean there are never difficulties. What I would say I admire most about my family is our ability to stick together through difficult times and to laugh and enjoy each others company on a daily basis. What I enjoy more than anything is that if  I ever find myself in a pickle, at least someone would lend a helping hand without expecting anything other than yard work in return. What I find difficult and quite interesting about my family, is the amount of people that are always around. One would think that having so many people under one roof would be enjoyable; yet, we always seem to find a way to annoy and banter with each other. In addition, each and every one of us is opinionated and stubborn, which can be a deadly combination in some cases. Nonetheless, you can't pick your family and I can't say that I would ask for any different in another life. I am blessed or cursed, whichever way you chose to look at it, with one crazy family who is filled with laughter, fun, and a bit of nosiness at times. These are the reasons I admire my family despite the difficulties on certain occasions.

In my family my role is the adventurous troublemaker who pushes the limits as far as I possibly can and makes no apologies unless one is due. My mother told me I was born with a mischievous grin on my face and that she knew from the get go I would be trouble. As the second oldest, I set the bar low by making a lot of mistakes and learning many tough life lessons early in life. Following in the footsteps of Caitlin, or as I like to call her the "perfect" one, has never been an enjoyable feat but someone had to mix things up a bit. Despite the rubble rousing and trouble making, I try to learn from my mistakes and take responsibility for my actions -usually not immediately but eventually.

What have I learned from my big crazy Irish family? I've learned a couple key lessons that I will impart on everyone. Family is the most important part of my life. Through all the ups, downs and zig zags they have been and will be there when I need them. I can't say for sure how this has shaped me as a citizen but I will say that my family has always inspired me to invite those who are not fortunate enough to have a solid family unit into my own. Extending my family to include the rest of the important people in my life who are not blood  has made me realize how important it is to have a sense of community and a general care for the welfare of others. Being apart of a supportive community, in my opinion, is key when trying to make it through the years.

Thank you for paying attention to my mumbo jumbo of a life. I look forward to an interesting and fun-filled semester.