Demanding Diversity

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” It's Dr. Seuss' 113th birthday, well, would have been. You know what I mean.  Theodor Seuss Geisel  died in 1991, after producing more than 60 children's books. Fun fact: he was in advertising before he started writing.  The quote above is one of my absolute favorite quotes. These words are framed up on my wall. They are a daily reminder that the world is much bigger than I am. They are an inspiration to many, as they are a good reminder that empathy is still valid and can't be forgotten.  Originally found in The Lorax, this quote goes down as one of the hundreds the masses still plaster everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Schools, offices, bedrooms, etc.  The Lorax was made into an animated film in 2012. But the book, the book can't be beat. Dr. Seuss’s Lorax spoke for the trees and warned of the dangers ...

Today, a boy who was sagging his pants around his knees had the nerve to come up to me and say "I can see your bra-strap through the back of your shirt." I had to keep myself from doing a few things. Laughing, firstly. Because of my super sarcastic answer. I replied with "Really? OMG. I thought my boobs were just magically supposed to hold themselves up. Yes, I have a bra on. Yes, I know you can see it. No, I don't care." Secondly, I had to refrain from telling him that I could see his underwear. I think that is what bothered me most. Not that a stranger felt the need to come up to me and tell me he can see my bra-strap through my shirt. But that his pants were almost literally around his knees. He had a belt on to keep his pants from literally falling around his ankles. He had to waddle around because no normal person could walk around properly with their pants around their knees. Don't tell me you can see my underwear if I can plainly see yours. It...

"We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world that embraced this film with t his story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other, ”said  Zootopia  co-director Rich Moore while accepting award for Best Animated Feature Film. Zootopia racked up over $1 billion in global ticket sales when it released back in 2016. For an animated movie, that is absolutely insane. But I can see why it made so much. Zootopia opens the door for parents to talk to their kids about tolerance and inclusion. It allows them to start the conversation about acceptance and equality. It encourages them to planet the seed of not judging others based on their differences - but embracing them for their differences - now rather than later.  That little bunny became a role model for many kids and adults who need to be reminded they can do anything they set their mind to. While that sly fox became a role model for many kids and adults wh...

Much like winner of Best Foreign Language Film, the winner of Best Documentary Short was not present at the Oscars to receive his award.  Raed Saleh, the leader of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Syrian rescue group the White Helmets  did not attend the Oscars tonight to be recognized for his inspiring work.  U.S. immigration authorities denied Khaled Khateeb, the 21-year-old cinematographer and Syrian national   entry into the U.S. to attend the Oscars. So, two of the most deserving people of the evening... weren't even there to be recognized for their awe-inspiring work.  Von Einsiedel  read a statement by Saleh, in which he said, “Our organization is guide by a verse from the Koran ‘ to save one life is to save all of humanity. ’ We have saved more than 82 thousand civilian lives. I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life, to stop the bloodshed in Syria, and around the world.”  To use a platform as big as the...

Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney accepted the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Moonlight. Jenkin's spoke first, and after thanking the usual grocery list of people, he said: “I told my students that I teach sometimes be in love with the process, not the result but I really wanted this result because a bajillion people are watching. And all you people out there who feel like there’s no mirror for you, that your life is not reflected, the Academy has your back, the ACLU has your back, we have your back and over the next four years we will not leave you alone. We will not forget you.”  McCraney spoke second, saying: “I also want to say thank God for my mother who proved to me through her struggles and the struggles that Naomie Harris portrayed for all of you, that we can really be here and be somebody, two boys from Liberty City up here on this stage representing 305. This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming who don’t see ...

For the first time since 2010, The New York Times ran a television commercial during tonight's broadcast of the Oscars.  The New York Times is a popular subject of Trump's Twitter feed. Constantly being criticized for 'failing' and reporting 'fake news.'  The video ended with bold, black letters on the screen that read "The truth is more important now than ever." This takes me back to Media Law with professor Hanebutt. His ramblings about Denny's coffee during law school and countless stories about previous students have gotten lost since then, but five words will always stick with me from his class. "Seek truth and report it." We cannot be driven to a society where the only news we receive comes from President Trump's Twitter feed. We, as a nation, demand truth. We need publications - such as The New York Times - to report that truth. I applaud this ad. I applaud the messaging. I applaud The Times.

The Salesman won Best Foreign Language Film tonight, but filmmaker  Asghar Farhadi decided not to attend tonight's ceremony. Instead, he  sent Iranian-American businesswoman Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian to go to space, to accept the award and read a statement on his behalf.  Here is the complete statement from Farhadi: It’s a great honor to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I would like to thank the members of the academy, my crew in Iran, my producer Alexandre Mallet-Guy, Cohen Media, Amazon and my fellow nominees in the foreign-film category.  I’m sorry I’m not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.  Dividing the world into the "us" and "our enemies" categories creates fears. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These ...