Huck Redux

Okay, so I got a faceful of owch from Doc O'c today about how my Huck Finn post was garbage. And he's right! That was garbage. So let me explain myself a little better. I, like our teachers, believe in the integration of current events into our American History course. But I take it a step further. See, books and such are on the "English" side of the history spectrum. And yes, I know we don't separate the two, but can Huck Finn really be called even mildly accurate history? So why then, do we mire ourselves in the past in the English department of our learning? I don't think we've read one book that was less than 15 years old, I can't remember when Reservation Blues was written. So my point is, why can't we read something current, either to our country or perhaps something relevant to the adults we've become? Maybe Speak, Night, or something else more current? I mean, I just think the book's a little outdated, and to be honest, that's one of my biggest pet peeves, outdated things. There ya go, Doc O'c, better?

The evolution of cartoons?

Whilst flipping channels, desperately looking for something to watch, I happened upon an episode of Tom and Jerry. For those of you that don't know, Tom and Jerry is an old (1950's) cartoon about a cat (Tom) and a mouse (Jerry), the plot of which is Tom constantly attempting to catch Jerry and failing. It's an old, silent slapstick cartoon. I decided to watch, as the show brings back nostalgic memories for me.

However, I was absolutely shocked by the amount of racism and imitable violence in the show. I haven't watched since I was like, 5, so I guess I didn't notice it then, but goddamn, that shit would not fly nowadays. It got me thinking about how cartoons have come since then. Nowadays, you can't actually show someone being hit, you have to show a *pow* blotch or simply imply it. Not only that, but words like "Crap" and "Hate" are considered right-out (I only know from personal experience.) I just thought it was interesting.

Reverse Racism?

So I was part of an interesting debate with Nick Steen (sp?) today, and it made me think "How much 'reverse racism/sexism' is there in the USA today?" For that matter, where does reverse racism start? Is um... well I can't remember the name but "that thing where persons of minority descent get into colleges more easily than white kids" racist? What about Equal Opportunity employment? How about "Sensitivity Training" for the workplace? What do you think? (This one was meant to be a big convo-starter)

Huck finn, who cares?

So, as you know, we're reading Huck Finn, the Great American Classic, a nice ol' slice o' Americana. Omnomnom, right? Naw, I say blech. This book is dry as a bone. I mean, I'm tryin' ta read this, right, and I can't hardly be un'standin' what they're sayin'. Sure, it's stood "the test of time" or whatever, but why does that mean that we have to read it? I say let's leave it to the old folks who yearn for this America, and let us read more current, interesting books, like David Wong's "John Dies at the End"

CRUNCH TIME! HOOAH!

As finals approach, I'm sure the majority of you, like me, are feeling the crunch. Projects loom, deadlines glare, and the tests themselves sit in a creaky rocking chair, giving you an odd look and holding a shotgun. I suppose what I'm wondering is this: Why the hell are these finals imposed on us? I mean, I understand the need for testing and benchmarking and whatnot, but why finish up with such a stresser? Wouldn't it make more sense to test us slightly harder throughout the year, rather than take a giant dump on us now? Just some food for thought.