The Princess and the Frog

So 2009 is the year that one of the most historic and largest animation (and all over film) corporations have decided to dig into the race barrier and portray an African American main character. Tiana, Disney's first black princess has been slowly producing clips to individuals and groups who in some way or another have begun complaining of the inevitable imperfectness of the characters and settings.

Black Voices (a website off of AOL representing black culture of which I have never heard of) goes so far to criticize the fairness of supporting character's skin. William Blackburn, a former journalist, who i'm sure spends more time criticizing than he does to actually analyze all foundations for his complaints, has remarked on the location of the film's setting. The Princess and the Frog taking scence in New Orleans, home of Katrina, is believed in Blackburn's eyes as the locale to one of the most devasting tragedies to the "black community."

What I understand of such pointedly predictable criticism offered with such a landmark regards the the interpretive bahavior. Characters, scenes, props, backdrops, language is greatly differentiated between the histories and cultural knowledge of the creators and viewers. Though I do recogize producers recevied consulting from leading African Americans (i.e. Oprah), maybe the one criticism such individuals and groups should have is not in the minor details but in the scope of it's creators; two white men.

I think it's more than time for an animated black main character, a heroine or hero of which was stalled maybe due to fear of over-stereotpyping. People can point out all of the potential flaws, and i'm sure there are a few. I'd be more concerned with how this film and these characters will be perceived by the viewers; young and impressionable children.

Sotomayor Nomination

Today, Tues. May 26th, President Barack Obama announced his two-week deliberance on the newest Supreme Court nominee. Sonia Sotomayor is up for confirmation after this morning's annoucement. A federal appeals court judge who has the hard knock upbringing, intellect, empathy, and a powerful stance on legal and constitutional issues will provide a more liberal leaning sway in the replacement of the honorable David Souter.

As quoted in the New York Times article linked above, Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, said she was pleased that President Obama had chosen a well-qualified woman. “I share the view that the proper role of the judiciary is one of interpreting the Constitution and acts of Congress, not legislating from the bench,”

As a future female attorney I smile in the choice to serve the progression of females in positions of deep power and consquence.

"Liberty" University

This past December my curiosity led me to the Brigham Young Univeristy student affairs webpage to explore their campus life page. In hopes of finding a "lifestyle clause" or the equivalent of such, I came across a weak and humorous representation of student expectations off their prospective F.A.Q. page (see archive post).

This past weekend a story was sent to me via email from a friend that I just had to look into. Having a strong distaste for parochial institutions in higher education, I was forwarded to the story below.

Conservative University Founded by Jerry Falwell Bans College Democrats Club:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/22/conservative-university-founded-jerry-falwell-bans-college-democrats-club/?test=latestnews

Keep in mind this is from FOXNews, however - surprisingly not as straightforward as I would have expected.

Reading through the reasoning as to why Liberty's administration took action to ban the student led Democratic Club was as disingenuous as to my own mentality of religious based organizations. Quite simply, I don't believe in the ideologies and the method of pedagogy used in educational instruction. I don't believe in the lifestyle they promote and the angst they have for individuals and groups disaffiliated with their "values and morals." I have given parochial institutions a lot of silent and a little outspoken verbage concerning their sanctity within their measures of inequality in their beliefs and practices.

Mark Hines, the VP of Liberty's student affairs claims [that the Democratic party violates the school's principles by supporting abortion, socialism and the "'LGBT' agenda," referring to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. The e-mail said that even though the campus group "may not support the more radical planks of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party is still the parent organization of the club on campus."]

What the university is dispelling is that social values and political values are not mutually exclusive. Can one not be pro-life and a Democrat? Can one not support gay marriage and be a Republican? To go off of that, can one not be gay and believe in God?

Liberty is treating politics, religious beliefs, and social issues hand-in-hand. Our ideologies, our values, our choosen spirituality and our given orientations are not mutual. They are not dependent on one another and cannot be treated as so.

Though Liberty is a private institution, their students do qualify for federal aid and the university has access to federal funding. I'm interested to see how Democratic student leaders will act in defending their rights outlined in the Liberty statements and the state (VA) andn federal constitutions. We should see action toward a resolution in the freedom to organize and the freedom to speak on one's own independent behalf.

Deja Vu

On my second day arriving in Des Moines I was all too eager to walk around and get to know my new surroundings. With my new Canon digital camera (Ooo, actually not all that exciting), I ventured out to what then was "anywhere." Capturing shots of the university grounds and local businesses, the photos were a little dissapointing as there was little known significance or personal attachment to anything. My first shots in Iowa were, and surely looked, like an unorganized conglomoration of random buildings, signs, and monuments.

Though when venturing outside quickly late yesterday evening I felt the refreshing spring breeze and amicable semi-chilly air on my face and knew I had to take a nice long walk. I mean, who wouldn't on a Saturday night? It was one of the first few Saturday evenings I wasn't tangled up in a bar and thoroughly enjoyed the quiet night to myself, so much so I think I might have led a suspicious trail for campus security as the only walking aimlessly on campus at 9:30 in the evening. I know the officer on camera duty was probably like, "what the hell...," particularly when I choose to walk into the unlocked Cartwright Hall and meander at will. Hey, if those law school dummies are going to leave something open, i'm going to go explore.

In walking around campus, camera in tote, I was able to capture some evening shots similar in respect to those I had taken just about about two years earlier. Though security might have questioned my intentions of my random footprints around campus, I captured some pictures that know have a more sentimental meaning. In one my final walks around campus, breathing in the fresh cold air I have learned that shots of personal attachment are not only more meaningful but they have a better quality to them. My best shots are of places and people that I care about. Places that I have been to far more than once.

Here are a few to share from yesterday evening...

Old Main is one of the oldest and architecturally beautiful buildings on campus. Directly across from my apartment, I have walked by this building front/back/sideways hundreds of times always appreciative of it's New England like charm. It reminds me of Thompson Hall at UNH.

Very close to Old Main and directly between Cartwright and the Fine Arts Center, this adapation of a sundial radial is in my opinion the prettiest and eye-catching displays on campus. I'll be honest in saying, I still don't know what the meaning is of the university behind the sundial.

At the end of April Drake holds it's annual and magnificant track and field event, the Drake Relays. This past spring was the 100th annual running - a huge history of competition and record breaking that brings together the campus and community. On the Friday prior to the event student organizations paint an artery walkway in the middle of campus to commemorate the event in their representation of the year's theme.

Every year a student is commissioned to design the student organization logo. An honor given to one of our most talented student employees. After submitting her ideas for potential designs, a committee of students themselves selected Kelly to visually represent the event. Above is her final design as painted on the walkway overlooking the path to university library.

Double Pop

Who remembers the double-pop? This was taken from a newspaper ad for JCPenney's (2009?!) summer apparel line. Oh good times...

The Beginning of Goodbyes

Agh - it's started. I got my first "good-bye" last Friday afternoon. I hate it when I realize how fast pieces of my life roll by that I question if I took advantage of enjoying it as much as I should of. Considering it's my last semester here at Drake and there are many I have considered under my wing who are preparing to walk cap-and-gown to say farewell to their undergraduate career forever.

Thank you to all the students who I have had the great opportunity to get to know. I thank you for your trust that you have in the ability to approach me in counsel. I have received very warm comments that have meant and will continue to mean much in my last two years and in greater recognition of the person I continue to want to become.

It's been a trip - all in the support of your enthusiastic, goofy, and fresh-thinking ways!

Farmers Market

So I failed in remembering my camera last Saturday, opening day of the year. However wanted to get some personal shots up regardless of that "first weekend" miss. Here are a few of this morning that I took strolling around.

Looking West down Court Ave. Vendors lined either side from 5th St. to about 2nd, and then up and down 4th and 3rd. Pretty good turnout.

A steel drum band jammin' out on the corner of Court Ave. and 4th.

What everyone looks forward to most ... breastfast burritos!

The Des Moines downtown council has done a great job of promoting pride and event marketing off these lamp-light banners.

I love trying many of the organic and natural products. Where better than Iowa to hold a local farmer's market. In actuality many of the products come from around the entire state. There are many foods from the Northwest and Eastern areas.

Eric "I can't answer a question" Cantor

The poster boy of the G.O.P. image resurgency, Eric Cantor is the Republican Whip representing his party in media platforms across the nation. In trying to build up enthusiam and steam for a dwindling and far right leaning party, he has represented a (relatively) pretty face and nothing of practical verbage. This morning as asked on MSNBC, "Without big words ... [what does the Republican party intend to do about healthcare?]" The response was an unfortuante voidof anything useful. I'm sick of this pretty boy averting solid and practical answers. I'm not a fan of Joe Scarborough, however, he made a good point in reference to Cantor's interview. He said "The Republicans need to start voicing some alternatives or get off the stage."

Cantor, please get off the stage.

The Grass is Green ... Here.

Finally a beautiful day where I wasn't confined to an office. When the weather gets warmer, the grass gets greener, and Kate is happier :)

Iowa general weather pattern:

January - February: Unbearably and numbingly cold

March - April: Cold with spring teases

April - May: More spring teases, except with lots of rain. A few gorgeous days (as above)

June: Perfect.

July - August: Hot as Satan's spa

September: A gamble on temperature. Either unrelentingly hot as previous months, or a sharp decline to intrusion of ice and wind to come

October: Generally very fall-like, similar to New England

November-December: Break out your Gortex and succumb to higher heating bills. The snow will start piling on sporadically. First snowfall of 2007 was Nov. 25th - doozy time is over.