On teaching
"Democracy is always a movement of an energized public to make elites responsible - it is at its core and most basic foundation the taking back of one's powers in the face of the misuse of elite power. In this sense, democracy is more a verb than a noun - it is more a dynamic striving and collective movement than a static order or stationary status quo." --Cornel West, Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism, Penguin Books, 2005, p. 68
How ironic that Jerry Falwall and and Yolanda King should die at the same time. A preacher and the daughter of The Preacher, the Reverend Dr. King. When Reverend King was preaching the message of justice, equality and peace, Reverend Falwell argued that the church should stay out of the civil rights movement; that religion and politics don't mix. Reverend Falwell did enter the political scene, but not with a message of justice and peace, but rather, a message of discord and hate. Yolanda King, actress and motivational speaker, carried forth her father's message of peace and justice.
La imparcialidad ideológica del Estado liberal y su tolerancia de todas las religiones y opiniones tiene su contrapartida en su actitud frente a los particularismos... Al transformarse en la ideología del mundo moderno, el racionalismo burgués no se convirtió en una religión ni en una pseudorreligión como el marxismo en el siglo XX. Aunque enemigo de las antiguas tradiciones y particularismos culturales, por sí solo habría sido impotente para destruirlos, como lo fue antes el racionalismo grecorromano. Sin embargo, ha contado con un aliado que no tuvo aquél: la técnica ha sido agente de destrucción de lo que llamamos el alma o el genio de los pueblos, es decir, de sus maneras de vivir y sus maneras de morir, de su cocina y de su visión del transmundo. Los antiguos conquistadores edificaban una mezquita o una catedral sobre las ruinas de los templos de los vencidos; los imperialismos modernos construyen factorías y centros de comunicación. Edificios desalmados.
With apologies for the disrespectful and undoubtedly incorrect German in the title, Governor Schwarzenegger, get your head out of the sand. Thank you Cindylou for alerting us to the Governor's recent remarks:
And so they do. For “Boda de Luna Nueva”, the company selected the tiny, farm town of Grayson in west Stanislaus County. They brought in a company of professional actors and students in their summer residency program and then recruited locals of all ages from Grayson and the surrounding communities to develop and act in the play. In adapting the play to time and place, they first researched the community. So, for example, instead of the wheat harvest in “Bodas de Sangre”, “Boda de Luna Nueva” showcased the tomato and apricot harvest. “Death” was played by a woman pushing a “paletera” cart and selling drugs instead of ice cream and popsicles. The Greek chorus of “Woodcutters” was replaced by a chorus of “Tomato Pickers” and Leonardo escaped with the bride not on horseback but in his pick-up. The play was performed at the edge of an open field and the audience sat in bleachers. Beyond the stage setting one could see the field, the highway and orchards beyond, and as the play progressed, the sun setting beyond the western hills. “La luna” (The Moon) appeared not on stage, but from the distant field beyond, back lit so she was initially just a white sphere moving ever toward us. The play was amazing; a magical moment in time."Cornerstone Theater Company is a multi-ethnic, ensemble-based theater company. We commission and produce new plays, both original works and contemporary adaptations of classics, which combine the artistry of professional and community collaborators. By making theater with and for people of many ages, cultures and levels of theatrical experience, Cornerstone builds bridges between and within diverse communities in our home city of Los Angeles and nationwide." http://www.cornerstonetheater.org/who_mainpage.html