chrismcmahon

and the thought occurred to me that media such as this (and the fore blog mentioned X-Men comic book) may be a microcosm — a true ‘art imitates life’ —  of viewing the current state of civil rights issues in America today. Now my wife and I just finished viewing most of True Blood, Season 1 on DVD. I had seen bits and pieces of the show before, but never really developed a hard-core interest in the series. I have since changed my mind. What I did see in the 1st 7 episodes was: a very attractive young, very outspoken black woman who is sleeping with her white boss; an openly gay short-order cook who peddles everything from himself (with a white state senator) to veritably any sort of illegal drug one could desire; and the sexual escapades of half the town of Bon Temps that everyone else in the town seems to be privy to. What I find interesting about this is that there doesn’t really seem (except for the occasional sarcastic comment here and there) to be a huge flap about any of this! Yet we’re always hearing in the ‘main stream’ media about how big of an issue civil rights are today. (True gay marriage is at the forefront of every media outlet and politicians are ducking the issue like someone is throwing tomatoes.) Yet here is this small southern town completely running wild with sex, drugs and interracial/homosexual relationships and judging from what I’ve seen and heard on the ‘net this morning nobody can wait for the premiere of Season 2 this evening. Why? I have a thought. (Bet you knew I did!) Could it be because everyone’s focus — everyone’s hatred, mistrust or bigotry is focused on the now-emerging vampire culture instead of being aimed at one another?? I mean really? Is that all it takes?! Could it be that Dr. King and Malcolm X and the Kennedys didn’t have to be killed when all they really had to do is prove the existance of a different race of people for us to aim our ignorance at?? Okay, that’s over the top. Or is it? Look at the X-Men comic book. Race relations don’t seem to be a huge factor in that book (and it was started in 1963). Because every man, woman and child on earth are focusing their hatreds, fears and animosity on mutants — instead of each other. The movie/series “Alien Nation” ring any bells with anyone? Again, the formula: everyone on planet earth seems to get along just fine now. Why? Because ‘Marvin the Martian’ and his family just moved in next door! So now the focus is to get along with Jews, Blacks, Muslims, Hispanics, Caucasions, Asians, Arabs etc., because we all get to hate the aliens that are taking our jobs, our women, our money and even our names! This whole blog must sound silly but I think if art does truly imitate life sometimes, then this blog suggests a few thoughts: do we as humans (in this information-abounding day and age) really need other people to focus our aggressions, fears and hatred on? If so what does this say about the human race in the 21st century? Maybe the next time you need to look down your nose at someone, or judge their color or culture or the way they pray — you should go to the nearest cemetary and search out the first vampire you see. And focus all that stuff on him or her. Give it a try. At the very least, while you’re doing that, our world will be that much brighter. Go Sookie!

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