This morning in a San Francisco State class, Women and Film taught by Jenny Lau, our teacher reminded us how significant the current draconian cuts in education truly are. One student wondered aloud to everyone if his showing up at a protest would actually influence any specific changes. And the answer is that, yes, of course. I am finally hyper aware how simply showing up creates a presence that influences greatly. In politics, stepping out to the street is probably the strongest vote we have. On the list to participate is choosing a political group where I can donate some of my time. Money works also. My phone company Credo Mobile reminds and thanks me for donating a few extra dollars for social justice causes these last 11 years. http://www.credomobile.com/
Lau sent us an e-mail last week reminding everyone to march in protest of the $1 billion cut from K-12 California education. She admitted that to simply operate within the walls of academia without encouraging her students to ask how will I make a difference with my one life, would feel like a failure. So fascinating to watch a classroom from my perspective as a teacher. The room fell quiet and everyone sat raptly listening. Who says youth is jaded? Responsibility probably falls more on those in the know.
Funny pace to my life right now where I simply cannot get caught up and so I simply lean into the days. Also missing that spark of something-something, which is fun to enjoy. What do I mean? Just the spontaneity of a relationship, hoping she will call, texting silly stuff, enjoying a greasy Chinese dinner, watching a low-low B movie or kissing on the Telegraph Hill steps. I have been single long enough now to remember the contrast of a long term relationship. Both grooves are uniquely appealing and I’m gently falling into seeing myself as decently grown up, ready for the change. We’ll see. Is that political? I would suggest yes.
A friend of mine has been with her partner for twenty years or so; they own a beautiful home in the Portrero district here in San Francisco. How do they energize the kinetic stuff between them? Taking short trips is always fun. Mostly they have shared interests sure, but they actively go for it when it comes to solo time. Wait, that sounds like feeling some bursts of the single life while being in a relationship. Good to have positive lesbian role models! And in this flow, enough time is left to take political action.
A student in the morning film class today jeered that folks in the Castro protested when the Basic Instinct came out because–once again–a character with lesbian qualities equates to become a psychopathic killer. Remember the amazing film American Beauty? I was so bowled over by the cinematography until the ending scenes where a killer’s motives are linked to repressed gay desire. How predictable, yes? Problem is that when the same trite characterization of gay and lesbians occurs ad infinitum in film, the message becomes political.
Any message disseminated to popular culture becomes political as actions are taken or not taken based on internalized ideas. For example, the student who jeered at the public protests in the Castro is one I have been talking to quite a bit in class. This morning she hadn’t seen me take a back seat and the teacher winced at me when the comment was made. Lau knows I wish to choose a film and analyze it from a queer cinema perspective. Might run a draft or two by my buddy in class. Learning is political that way and relationships, too.
Posted by karolinawrites 