ANNOUNCEMENTS: A teach-in on race and Pangea Day

1. Wed., April 9th 6-8:30pm TBA - TEACH-IN on RACE at Baruch College
I am spearheading a TEACH-IN on the conversation of race inspired by the address "A More Perfect Union" by Obama. Many professors and colleagues as well as students have been floored by the power of this address, and we want to open up a conversation that goes beyond the soundbytes, beyond the elections.

A teach-in features short speeches by professors and some students. Professors Clarence Taylor (History/Black&Hispanic Studies), Johanna Fernandez (History/Black&Hispanic Studies), Michel Marriot (Journalism), Arthur Lewin (Black&Hispanic Studies), Sonia Sanchez (School of Public Affairs), and myself among others will be presenting ideas to contextualize the issues of race in our college, society and world.

The location is to be announced but if you want to know where let me know by email kyra_gaunt@baruch.cuny.edu.

For a great overview of issues of race, check out the following website:
http://www.understandingrace.org/about/index.html


2. Pangea Film Day at Baruch College Sat May 10th, 2008

What Is Pangea Day?

Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that - to help people see themselves in others - through the power of film. On May 10, 2008 - Pangea Day - sites in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro and NYC (at Baruch) will be linked live to produce a program of powerful films, visionary speakers, and uplifting music.

The program will be broadcast live to the world through the Internet, television, digital cinemas, and mobile phones. This is the first global campfire.

Of course, movies alone can't change the world. But the people who watch them can. What will we do here at Baruch?? http://www.pangeaday.org/

Manliness in the US

When talking about male gender stereotypes, we should first take a step back and ask ourselves: what is manliness, anyway?  As we explore the answers to that question, it becomes obvious that definitions of manliness aren't always consistent between cultures.  More important, though, is the fact that the definition of manliness isn't a static one: it has a tendency to change over time.  As American society crosses into the 21st century, we are experiencing shifts in what gender stereotypes are socially acceptable.  Gone are the days when little Jimmy would go outside to play stickball with his friends every afternoon.  Today, the average male youth participates in a host of activities that transcend male and female lines.  He talks about his feelings.  He takes cooking as well as woodworking.  For many, manliness is less about eating red meat and watching football, and more about gentleman-liness, for lack of a better term.

As American men search for what it means to be male, it become obvious that gender equality is not exclusive of gender identity and role.  One blog, The Art of Manliness, embodies that new American male identity.  Its writers focus on contemporary interpretations of the core values of masculinity, using them as a path to becoming a gentleman.  I recommend the blog to anyone else in the class - it's often a great read.  Click here for The Art of Manliness blog.

Blog by Abraham Hedaya

I do both Jay and Jane

This plays into our discussion regarding Gender Stereotypes. The song "I do both Jay and Jane" clearly distinct these roles through the eyes of a bi-sexual who sees men and women as equal. The song states:

Jane is sweet as honey, the taste I'm teasin'
She knows how to hit the spot, her touch is pleasing

He knows how to make me hot, his heat is healing babe
He is a special man, long, rough, and rugged

The adjectives that she chooses to describe women "sweet as honey" "her touch is pleasing." On the other hand, men were described as "long, rough, and rugged."

Ciara- Like a Boy

Ciara's song, Like A Boy is the pinnacle of relationship gender roles in our current generation. The song is implying that there is a certain way that men act which would be unacceptable for a woman to do since in apparently she can't "switch up the roles and be like that."

Sometimes I wish I did act like a boy..

Like A Boy lyrics

Pull up your pants
(Just Like Em')
Take out the trash
(Just Like Em')
getting ya cash like em'
Fast like em'
Girl you outta act like ya dig
(What I'm talkin' bout')
Security codes on everything
Vibrate so your phone don't ever ring
(Joint Account)
And another one he don't know about

[Hook]
Wish we could switch up the roles
And I could be that...
Tell you I love you
But when you call I never get back
Would you ask them questions like me?...
Like where you be at?
Cause I'm out 4 in the morning
On the corna rolling
Doing my own thing
Ohh

Kanye West and Religion

I love Kanye West but it wasn't until today's class that I realized all his religious references.


Jesus Walks
*Basically the Whole Song


Can't Tell Me Nothing
*I had a dream I could buy my way to heaven
When I awoke I spent that on a necklace
I told God I'd be back in a second
Man, it's so hard not to act reckless
To whom much is given, much is tested



Never let me down
*Let it been known that God's penmanship has been signed with a language called love
That's why my breath is felt by the deaf
And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I, too, dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth
A touch of God reigns out
((MANA ANYONE?!))