The movie Bread and Roses tells the story of Maya, an illegal immigrant who becomes a janitor at an office building in Los Angeles. The working conditions for Maya and the other janitors are less than ideal. Since some of the employees at her job are also illegal immigrants, the mangement takes advantage of this because they know that without a job, these people cannot survive. One day a labor acitivist, Sam, comes to Maya’s job and tries to get the janitors to unionize. This is great and all but I felt as if this movie played very much into the savior complex. It is great to want to help people rise up and better their situation. However, I think the best way is to empower these marginalized groups and allow them to make their own decisions accordingly. I feel as if this movie was more like, “I’m Sam, and we are going to do it my way.” Whether or not his way works or not, it makes him the “savior of the oppressed” and I do not think this is the best way to make a lasting change in any issue.
Author Archives: Joyce
Untold Stories
Sometimes Hollywood does a good job and tells a meaningful story. This movie represents one of these times. Before watching Hidden Figures, I did know know about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. It was nice to watch a movie which showed the strength and intelligence of black women. Many times black women are over sexualized or shown as being uneducated. It is refreshing to watch a movie which tell the stories of real women who overcame so much just to show people that they were capable of amazing things too. Hidden Figures was very inspiring and highlights one of probably many other stories which go overlooked because of the people who they represent. I hope to see many more movies which celebrate minorites in a different light from what we are used to seeing.
A Beautiful Illusion
A Beautiful Mind is one of my favorite movies. I first watched this film in my high school psychology class. After watching it a second time, I still really like this film. A Beautiful Mind tells the story of John Nash, a mathematics genius, and his struggle with the many delusions that he has throughout his life. During the first half of the film, everything seems to be going well in Nash’s life. He developed his own equilibrium theory which revolutionized economics. However, the twist in the movie is that Nash is schizophrenic and has been having hallucinations all his adult life. One thing that I think the film does really well is showing that mental illness does not have a certain look. Most of the time you cannot tell if a person is suffering from a mental illness. John Nash is probably the last person someone would expect to have schizophrenia. Also, just because someone has a mental illness, that does not mean that they are not intelligent or smart. Nash is a perfect example of this. He is a math genius but suffers from a serious disease. I know some critics have an issue with the way that Nash is portrayed in the film because it made him seem nicer than he actually was; but, I think that film stresses an important point that mental illness can affect anyone.
Ithaca is Gorges
This hike to the Cascadilla Gorge was very beautiful. Since being at Cornell, I have not gone out to see some of the more scenic spots on campus. It was very interesting to hear about the history and geology of this Gorge. One unique fact about the Cascadilla Gorge is the rock formation. The tour guide told us that it is not common in nature for there to be straight lines at 90 degree angles. This type of formation is usually man made. However, the rocks at Cascadilla are all at 90 degree angles and this is because water likes to follow the path of least resistance so that is why the formation is so straight. Another thing that I found interesting was the cost of the upkeep of the Gorge. I did not even know that so much work went into making sure the gorges are safe for exploration and making sure any issues with flooding is accounted for. The tour guide told us that it cost about 2.9 million dollars to maintain the gorge and this is always a changing process which requires constant repair. Learning this fact made me really appreciate the beautiful landscape that surrounds us here in Ithaca.
City of Stars
La La Land had all the workings of a cheesy, fun musical. I enjoyed some of the songs throughout the film, especially “City of Stars.” When I went to watch this film, I was not sure about what to expect. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone would be the last people I would cast for a musical. Therefore, in the beginning I did not expect much from them musically. However, I was pleasantly surprised that they sounded okay. The plot of this musical was the typical story of two struggling entertainers trying to make it in a world that does not really appreciate their craft. Eventually, they both succeed and become the top of their game. This however comes with a trade off. Throughout the movie Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) were involved in a whirlwind romance however, they do not end up together in the end. Overall, this movie was good, not oscar nominating worthy but I guess with the lack of musicals these days it has to suffice.
Alternative Facts
The Matrix has been on my “movies to watch” list for a long time. This movie has been hyped up for me for a long time and I must say, I fininshed this movie feeling disappointed. The message of this movie seemed to be “rebel just because you can.” It seemed as the main character, Neo, wanted to live in a world without rules and things just happened because they could. He was so quick to escape the Matrix to be free from the rule of the machines in order to be “free” in the “real” world. However, I did not understand what was so bad about the Matrix. If Neo wanted to choose to live in the “real” world, that is good for him but what is so bad about wanting to stay in the Matrix? In the “real” world Neo would be fighting a pointless fight. Personally, I feel that the machines are just like Neo and his whole gang. They want people to live in the world they deem as acceptable. Neo and his people are trying to convince people that the “real world” is great and that they should break free from their chains in the matrix and become a different type of slave in the “real world.” Sure you’ll know that you are living a lie if you go into the real world but knowing that does not really change the fact that no matter which reality you choose, you can shape it to what you want it to be. I think that the fight between the machines and Neo is pointless because at they end of the day I think that they are just trying to take the power for themselves and convince people that their choice of life is the best. If I had a choice, I would choose the Matrix simply because it has better food.
Illusion of Sanctuary
Earlier this semester, interim president Hunter Rawlings claimed Cornell as a “sancutary campus.” Due to the current climate with immigration rights and undocumented students, many students on campus felt at ease when this message came out because it seemed to ensure the safety of their friends. I too was very happy with this declaration. However, after this table talk, I learned that “sancutary” means different things across different campuses. Prior to attending this table talk, I thought sancutary meant that the campus would protect the identity of all undocumented students and not allow any immigration officers on campus to question students. To my surprise, Esmeralda told us that Cornell would comply with any petition submitted by an official and release the name of the student in question. Upon learning this, I felt as if I had been led to believe that Cornell would protect the identities of undocumented students. This just shows that as students, we have to read between the lines and do our own research to uncover the truth of these matters. One statement that resonated with me at this table talk was when Esmeralda urged us all to “stay vigilant.” This is very important because actual lives are at stake. It is important that we are involved in conversations among students and faculty. Cornell students must stand in solidarity with our fellow students and let them know that we support them wholeheartedly. It is easy to get comfortable with issues which do not pertain to us however, the poet Martin Niemoeller said it best:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
The Second Civil Rights Movement?
Previous to watching this documentary, I really did not know much about James Baldwin. I only knew that he was a novelist and a playwriter, but that was the extent of my knowledge of him. It was interesting to hear another persepective of the Civil Rights Movement and racial tensions in America. The scary thing for me is that many of the things that Baldwin said in the documentary can still be applied to conditions today. In the documentary, they showed images of the present day with Baldwin doing a voiceover. It’s amazing, or actually chilling, to see how many things of the past are still relevant today. One thing that resonated with me was when Baldwin said that the problem white people have with black people is a fear that exists in their heads. I totally agree with this because I think sometimes people are living in the shadow of the horrors of slavery and the guilt that comes with it. They feel as if they keep black people oppressed, there will be not retaliation or revenge taken on white people. Granted, there are some blacks who have this idea of “black superiority,” however, a majority just want the chance to be the best version of themselves without the color of their skin determining everything. Personally, I think people who are racist, have a mental illness because we are all human beings yet sometimes we treat each other like we are from a different species. It makes no sense. It is so exhausting that we still have to have these conversations today. I really don’t know if anything will ever change, however, I always have to push myself to keep fighting and standing up against oppression of ALL kind, no matter how tiring it gets sometimes.
Marching to the Beat of Injustice
Monday’s talk about the Women’s March was very interesting. There were many different opinions about the importance of the march and what it accomplished. This year’s march was the largest in the history of the Women’s March. So many different movements came together to stand up for their various causes. Although I did not attend the Women’s March, what I gathered from others at the table was that there was a sense of unity and strength during the March. Personally, I sometimes feel that marches do not accomplish much because people come and rally and then just go home and do nothing. It seems more like an opportunity to post a hastag photo on social media rather than a call to action. One thing that kept coming up at the table talk was the fact that since there are so many different groups and movements and ideas, it seems like even in unity, there is still some division. According to one of the GRFs, there were some Trump supporters at the women’s march and that puzzled some at the table. However, is it right to exclude conservative women because of their views of what it means to be a “woman?” How do we bridge the gap between conservative women and more liberal women or do we just exsist in opposition? Many of these questions came up during the table talk and ultimately there are some questions which are hard to answer. One thing that we do agree on is for people to stay active. Call your state’s representative, petition, boycott, and educate other people on what is happening and keep having conversations until there is change in legislature. At the end of the day, we can march to Timbucktu but if that’s where the action ends, nothing will change much.