 |
|
Pen Points
Letters to Gay Today |
|
American Beauty, the Movie 
I just saw this movie, and can't believe what I saw.
This is a mainstream American film. Shows here in Northern Virginia, a suburban conservative area on the edge of metropolitan (Washington) D.C., were sold out. And here's what it depicted: Unabashed voyeurism The sexual obsession of a forty-something man for a sixteen year old girl The active sexuality of a sixteen year old girl and her attempts to seduce her friend's father Suburban marital. . . dysfunctional mania A critique of late 90's American materialism and it's soul numbing potential Complex lives and sexuality A case study in sexual repression and self-hate as a path toward violence
That's just a beginning. This is the most culturally subversive mainstream movie I have ever seen. It's apparent popularity must also mean that people are hungry for depictions for the complexity of their lives and the confusions they feel as they search for meaning in a society of abundance but constant and dizzying changes in family structure and "traditional" sources of social organization.
I overheard people, at points, say things like "This is disgusting!" or, "This is depressing," but I saw no one leave. An extraordinary film. By the way, I also found Edge of Seventeen extraordinary for other reasons. I would welcome the thoughts of others on either of these movies. I highly recommend both. AJ What Motivates Africa's Anti-Gay Presidents?
It was not homosexuality that was imported into Africa but the bible and its accompanying homophobia. Research has shown that same-sex sexual activity exists in a variety of forms in at least fifty-five African traditional cultures and these expressions are ancient and entirely indigenous to this continent. It is becoming increasingly clear that it is not homosexuality that these leaders fear most but the attack on patriarchal dominance presented by gay relationships. Gay relationships are relationships between equals which destroy the patriarchal myth that a loving sexual relationship requires male dominance and other stereotyped gender roles. In addition, these male leaders are frightened by the emergence of activism around gender politics which threatens to undermine their power bases and as well challenges their traditional authority. After centuries of slavery and colonialism, we remain at a loss to understand why African leaders continue to wallow in the language of oppression and domination. As Africans we demand the freedom to move forward, and not be kept in the past by these moralistic dictators.
Keith Goddard galz@samara.co.zw
Does this not sound like a "let them eat cake" mentality? I am once again incensed by GOP arrogance! Talk about being out of touch with reality! N. |
Page 2: The GOP wants its House candidates to go out on the campaign trail and eat cock. 
© 1997-99 BEI