Friday, February 20, 2009

Anything Goes - Talking About Taboos


If you've come here enticed by my post title, thinking you'd see something to satisfy your prurient desires, think again. This is a porn-free site. At least so far.

I'm talking about the tamest of the wikipedia definitions of taboo:
restrictions on discussion of controversial topics (law, morality, ethics, manners, politics, religion, race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, handicaps, class, creed, ones' occupation, finances, and groups of people as a whole).

I love talking about controversial topics. I love it so much that I'm teaching a class starting next Monday on Social Justice in Popular Culture Films. I've already shared this here, but I want to give everyone an opportunity to weigh in with suggestions for discussion questions. Some of you wanted a chance to think about it. Time's up, people. You must share your brilliance now. Comment here, or comment at the original posts. But please comment! If you have suggestions for other resources to share with the class, please let me know. I'd really appreciate it if you let me know about useful websites.

Here are the five class sessions' topics, with links to details about the films I'll be showing:

Bread and Roses - workers' rights, unions, illegal immigration, cost of healthcare


Come See the Paradise - civil liberties, Japanese internment camps during WW II


Something the Lord Made - race relations and segregation, equal opportunity


Le Placard (The Closet) - gay rights

Inherit the Wind - intellectual freedom, religion vs. science



Whilst I warned you that this was a porn-free site, I feel compelled to share an image with you to make it worth your while if you came here as a result of searching for sites with "taboos." It's a shot of the lead in Le Placard, wearing part of the costume he'll be dressed in for the gay pride parade. His headgear is designed to promote the product manufactured by the company he works for.

WARNING: If you are offended by birth control or safe sex devices, please avert your eyes. I don't want to risk losing a follower because of this picture.

Actually, if this picture offends you, you probably aren't cut out to be one of my followers....

10 comments:

Rachel Fox said...

Fantastic photo! Beats my tampons in hair from the other week hands down!
x

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

I am so ashamed.

I haven't seen these movies.

Pathetic, I know.

Excuse me while I hang my head in shame and/or write these down so I can rent them soon.

stephanie said...

So, what? You're saying that my previous suggestions for questions were not worthy?

It's fine, I can take it.

Fantastic Forrest said...

Rachel Fox - that is not a question. But thank you for the compliment.

Lisa - Come to my class.

Stephanie - Your previous suggestions ROCKED. You are a goddess of questioning. I love you dearly. Now go rest up for the partay, and let other people have a crack at this. Unless you wish to bestow more brilliance upon me.

shrink on the couch said...

I love the photo and want to see more such photos. Does this deem me an excellent reader?

shrink on the couch said...

Oh, and have you seen the movie "Crash" 2004 (Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, plus many more whose names escape me). Excellent movie featuring strained race relations. Might be a bit long.

Fantastic Forrest said...

PhD in Yogurtry - You are my people.
I haven't seen Crash - thanks for the recommendation. It's now on my list!

lady jicky said...

Oh hell, I have not seen one of those movies too.
No that photo does not offend , if anything its sort of "school boy " humour to me - and that is boring. LOL
I think the only thing that offends me is cruelity to people and animals .

LITTLE BROWN DOG said...

Hands up - another one who hasn't seen any of these films. But, hey - that's why we're here, no?

La Belette Rouge said...

Your class sounds fantastic!!!