Social Justice Events & Blog Log (Final)

Ryan Mottram

FNED 346

Mrs. McKamey

12/4/18

Social Justice Event 1: Pariah

          This drama film is about a 17 year old African-American girl, Alike who lives in Brooklyn with her family and identifies as a lesbian who is seeking a relationship, despite the discrimination and unfairness she endures by others.  Viewing this film has reminded me that we cannot be afraid to embrace ourselves for who we are, despite what even our closest family members may think based on background and culture.  One does not have to be gay or lesbian to understand the lessons this film is trying to portray. 

          There were a few scenes in the film that I noticed stood out the most.  It was sad how Bina expressed her love to Alike physically and then soon after explained to her how she is not actually lesbian and just used Alike for sexual pleasure and experience and told her never to speak of it.  At first, it seemed Alike finally found someone who she could have a comfortable, intimate relationship with who also understood her feelings.  In my opinion, the saddest part of the film was when her mother refused to accept her for who she truly is and reconcile with her before moving to California to attend college.  I believe this could be a Lisa Delpit moment of “codes of power”, due to how her mother is disappointed in her and refuses to accept her any longer for supposedly going against her family’s culture and background with her choice of sexuality.  When she says to her father that she is not running away from fear, but choosing to leave it, it seemed as though she was showing viewers how easy it is to ignore how people may be judging you and live life how you know it should be lived.  

Social Justice Event 2: He Named Me Malala

   This documentary is about a Pakistani female teenager, Malala Yousafzai who fights for the rights of children, even after the Taliban tries to kill her for defending and promoting the education of young women.  Due to her honorable bravery, she becomes the youngest winner of the Nobel Piece Prize in her country.  Undoubtedly, the most brutal and disturbing part of the movie is where Malala gets shot by Taliban members while riding the bus on her way home from school in a valley.  This gruesome attack on her inspired worldwide support for girls’ education.  Malala was fifteen at the time and her and her father Zia were both advocates for these rights of women in their culture.  She is also the co-founder of the Malala Fund and is currently leading a campaign for girls’ education worldwide.  Malala and her family are truly dedicated to fighting for rights of women and girls’ education.  
  
      This film has reminded me how if there is a cause you want to fight for, you must be willing to come out of your comfort zone and reach out to others beyond your community.  I believe this film can be related to Lisa Delpit’s “codes of power” similar to Pariah, due to the fact that Malala goes against her culture’s norms by fighting for equality for girls regarding their education.  I also believe August is present here because of the lack of protection for these females, and as a result not feeling safe in school and if they do not feel safe then they may not succeed or do as well as they could if they did.  Malala also implies how a simple change in school supplies teachers, and protection can change the world for everyone. 

Link to Final Blog Log 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qF6_X7clekXpILeImQNo0jhOHAmz6JmPrHjJjxATpF0/edit