Don't you mean long live the arrogance?

I was wondering what the backlash would be on the American Muslim population, following the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death.  Sadly, it only took a few hours for the first story of anti-Islamic vandalism to break. Here are the pictures from one of the incidents:

Some time last night someone wrote "Osama today, Islam tomorow (sic)," "Long live the West" and "Free Cyprus" on the Maine Muslim Community Center, after the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death.  I'm not going to point out the obvious unintelligence of the graffitti "artist" (please, note that "tomorow" is misspelled), but they must have also failed to hear President Obama's amazing speech where he discussed and repeated that this is "not a war on Islam," or that in fact bin Laden had killed thousands of Muslims all over the world (including our own country).

Are we not beyond the time in WWII, where we found it necessary to imprison an entire group of Americans based on their ethnicity because of a terrorist attack.  I'm referencing, of course, the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans after the Pearl Harbor attacks.  Have we not learned from our mistakes that this treatment of a minority is both unjust and ineffective? 

Well, apparently some Americans are still stuck in an era, when women were expected to stay home and raise children and African Americans were expected to sit in the back of the bus.  But, tell me, when has it ever been okay to let a minority of extremists define the majority?

I mean. . . let's face the facts: If we defined Christianity by the KKK (who's members believe it embodies Christian ideals) then we'd be a bunch of anti-Semite murderers with white-superiority complexes.  And besides the Neo-Nazis and the Westboro Baptist Church, I don't think that applies to the majority of Christians.  Granted I can't really speak for anyone but myself, but I most certainty hope I am not in the minority.

But the point of this post was not to argue Christianity vs. Islam, or which one is more misrepresented.  This post is to talk about America, which is something I don't do too often.  I'm usually pretty embarrassed by my country, whether it's from our inane coverage of celebrities' lives or our disgusting amount of wastefullness.  I have friends all over the world and they often ask me, "What's up with America?  Are they just in their own little world?"  And usually my answer is "Yeah, we are."

But last night I was so proud of the way our President handled the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death.  He could have been like "YEAH USA! USA!" but he didn't once rejoice this man's death.  He took this moment in history to remember those lost and still suffering from the tragedy of September 11th, nearly a decade ago, and what it really means to be Americans and come together as a nation.  It was one of the most amazing speeches I have ever seen in my lifetime.

And then for narrow-minded, bigotted idiots to go around to a mosque and vandalize it with such hateful words. . . I just. . . I felt ashamed.  I felt ashamed to be associated with these people, because they probably think they're doing the "Christian" thing.

Islam is not the problem here.  Hate is.  Hatred toward a group of people.  That's what fueled Osama bin Laden's campaign of terrorism, not religion.  Any Muslim will tell you that he took a twisted view of Islam and used it to corrupt.  The same way Christianity has been used time and time again over the centurites to instill fear and hate in people's hearts about people who are "unclean" or "un-Holy."

All religions say the same thing in the heart of their message: Treat others like you want to be treated.  It's in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindism, Taoism, and dozens of other religions.

I don't think I'd want someone to come to my church and write: KKK Today, Christianity Tomorrow!

Because the KKK understands Christianity no more than bin Laden understood Islam.  And associating the two is arrogant as well as insulting.

Anti-Christian Christian

So today I read this article. For those of you who don't really want to sort through all of it, it basically broke down into three parts:

1. Redefining the word gay
• ‘Gay’ is a left-wing socio-political construct designed to create grounds for fundamental rights [based on] whimsical capricious desires,” said Ryan Sorba, chairman of the Young Conservatives of California. “Gay identity does not exist.”
• “Same-sex attraction,” “Same-sex intercourse,” “Sodomy,” “Unnatural vice,” and “anti-Christian.”
  
2. The gay war
• It's their duty to protect the definition of marriage and protect America's youth from the "gay agenda."
• Also, protect America from homosexual lobbyists.
  
3. Same-sex orientation: ‘hedonism repackaged’ 
• Hedonism - a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good.
• Gays are gay because it feels good, and they should not be allowed to partake in this pleasure because it is morally wrong and disgusting. 

So. . . I'm not going to do what a lot of what my liberal friends would do and outright call this "stupid."

Instead, I wanted to approach this from these people's perspective, the Christian perspective.  For those of you who don't know, I am in fact a Christian.  Although these people seem to be arguing that I cannot be gay and Christian at the same time, and that they are in fact complete opposites and cancel each other out. However, I'm pretty sure we're reading from the same Book, so I thought it'd be cool to go and check out where the disagreement is.

There is No Silence

This is our film for University of South Carolina's first annual Tunnel of Awareness, described as a "Haunted House of Hate," dealing with the different types of discrimination and prejudices present in modern society.  We decided to tackle the slightly controversial topic of the bullying of LBGT youth in America.

This was a very emotional project for me, so I decided to write a letter of thanks to my wonderful cast and crew. 


Dear Cast and Crew,

The DVD finished burning Monday morning at 6:21AM.  Nine hours later it was shown on a TV screen in front of a group of about 10 people for the first time. I've never collaborated on a project like this.  I'm used to being a one-man show, and just taking care of everything on my own, but this time I had to completely rely on other people.

To my lovely and talented actors and actresses, I want you to know I was really moved by your performances.  On and off camera you were amazing to work with, and I can't wait to do more projects with you.  I was really anxious when I first wrote the script because I was terrified no one would want to be a part of a "controversial" film, especially one by a never-heard-of student director.  But I got my dream cast and each one of you really understood your craft, and it took no effort to make you "look good" on camera.

To my sound team, I want you to know that I really appreciated all of your help with the boom and syncing and post-cleaning.  A special note to Nick Ducko, who by some miracle managed to salvage the audio from the locker room scene, constructed a make-shift recording studio in a study room to re-dub lines, and spent all of Sunday with me at the library re-constructing audio from scratch.  I learned a lot about filters and mixers and things I didn't even know existed, and I also learned that I'm much better behind a camera than behind any piece of audio equipment.

To my extras, you guys really came in when I needed you most.  The cafeteria scene really only worked because of you guys.  And it was so much fun getting to direct you.  You were patient and willing to redo takes, stuff that's a lot to ask for volunteers.  So thank you for bearing with me, and I hope you'll always consider being a part of any future films.  It seems to be that free food is a good incentive.

To everyone, I wanted you to know I'm blessed to have had this experience to make this film.  And I know it's a little difficult to watch, but look past the terrible high school language and the slurs.  Listen to the silence because that was the message I wanted.  I wanted the silence to be more deafening than the words.  The words are hollow, meaningless things that teenagers don't think twice about.  The silence is the screaming of everyone who's ever been bullied.  And one voice has the power to change all of that.

A bully screams at you, but says nothing.
A bystander says nothing, but screams at you.
A victim is silent, but wants nothing more than to scream back.

Words are the only thing as powerful in their presence as they are their absense.

So in reality there is no silence because that silence is screaming louder than any insult.

This isn't "my" film, it's "our" film, and I'm so happy I have so many amazing people to share it with. 

Love,
Olivia

Reading Movies

This is in response to one of my friends who doesn’t watch many movies.  I was in a similar boat until college and I’m pretty sure I still pale in comparison to other film studies majors.  Honestly, half the films I’ve watched are because I had to for class.

However, in my screenwriting course this semester we were told to pick our top 10 movies and write about a common line between them.  This list is posted below:

1.  V for Vendetta
2. Mulan
3. Fucking Åmål (Show Me Love)
4. Grave of the Fireflies
5. A Beautiful Mind
6. Departures
7. Ghost in the Shell
8. The Virgin Suicides
9. August Rush
10. El Orfanato (The Orphanage)

If I was to pick one similar theme throughout all of these movies, it is perhaps the symbolism of the mask. Whether they physically or emotionally wear a mask, the protagonists of these films create an alter ego of themselves. However, it is through this altered persona that the protagonist is able to discover something true about their character. Often these characters are forced to wear their masks and are not in full control of their lives until the mask is cast away (figuratively or physically). Perhaps one of the reasons I identify with this theme so strongly is the fact that I, too, had to hide a secret for a long time. This might also explain why I don’t like to name my main characters and almost always like to hide their true identity from the audience.

I hate watching movies by myself and love to talk during them.  I feel like commentary is one of the best ways to interact during movies. If I can’t talk about a movie then I don’t see the point in watching it.  That’s why movies like Inception are so popular because they produce discussion and make you ask questions.  I love ambiguity and open endings, where a film asks the audience to participate.  Films have the ability to be a powerful visual-audio text if we get over this idea that they are “less than books.”  They’re a completely different medium and not fair to compare.  They can be intellectually stimulating, enlightening and heaven forbid even entertaining, just like a really good book. 

 
So my answer to you friend is this.  If you find watching a movie boring, then watch one with a friend and talk about it while it’s going on.  Films are designed to wash over you, the same way having a bed time story washes over you when you had it read to you as a child.  But when you take an active role and “read” the movie, then it becomes very similar to the stimulation you have when you read a book. 

A Message from the Past to the Future

Alright, so I have finally heard from all my friends in Japan, and can now rest my mind a little bit.  My heart is still breaking for their country, and my prayers are going out to them constantly.

Now, over the past two years I have really fallen in love with the language and culture and people of this amazing and beautiful country.  Therefore, it sickens me to think that there are people from my home country who honestly believe the "Japanese" had it coming due to the Pearl Harbor raid during World War II.

At first I didn't even know how to channel this.  I was so disgusted and so angry that I honestly think I could have happily punched whoever started this ill-conceived, uninformed and heinous "thought" (if you can even call it that). However, I decided that I will be a more mature person about this and simply let history speak for itself.

After the Pearl Harbor Attacks, on February 19, 1942, in Executive Order 9066, President Roosevelt required all Japanese-Americans to be placed in interment camps (in Nazi Germany these were called "concentration camps".) The official reason given for this action was for "national security-to counteract the threat of spying." However, later historical analysis would show that underlying reasons included war hysteria and revenge on the Japanese people for bombing American territory (not "state," Hawaii didn't become a state until 1959), as well as racist feelings against the Japanese that had existed for many years. Over 110,000 Japanese-Americans were uprooted from their homes and moved to temporary camps inland, where they were forced to remain.

Peal Harbor took place as all of you know in Hawaii, where 32% of the population at the time was in fact Japanese.  And very American patriotic Japanese-Americans as well.  In fact, in 1943 some of the prisoners were released to serve voluntarily in the armed services. Over 17,000 Japanese who were able to prove their loyalty to the United States were placed in segregated units that earned great respect and distinguished combat records. One regiment, popularly known as “Go for Broke” or the 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most decorated combat unit of the war while serving in the European theater.

However, despite the amazing acts of heroism by the Japanese-Americans, racism still ran very strongly throughout America.  So much so that when an agreement could not be made between the US and the Republic of China with Japan to surrender, the US bombed not one but two cities in Japan with atomic weapons.

Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day. The Hiroshima prefectural health department estimates that, of the people who died on the day of the explosion, 60% died from flash or flame burns, 30% from falling debris and 10% from other causes.

During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness. In a US estimate of the total immediate and short term cause of death, 15–20% died from radiation sickness, 20–30% from flash burns, and 50–60% from other injuries, compounded by illness.  In both cities, most of the dead were civilians.

Okay, now that I've given you all the numbers available on what we, the United States, did to Japan.  How about I tell you what Japan did to US?

First off it was an attack on military personnel (i.e. not civilians) and second off there is still a serious debate over whether there was warning given a head of time or not.  And even if there wasn't a warning given by Japan to America, the never-before-seen destruction caused by atomic bombs is hardly likened to Pearl Harbor attack, which consisted of 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.  

Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and the four others present were damaged. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 men were killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked.

See that's the thing about atomic bombs, you can't just "pick a target," you pick an area, and everything in that space is going to get vaporized.  So as you can see, the Japanese obviously "had this tsunami coming" because they bombed us at Pearl Harbor.  Because natural disasters and acts of war 70 years ago are obviously comparable.

For my poorly informed Americans out there, I highly recommend "reading," it's this amazing concept that some of us started doing around the age of 3 or so.  It "informs" you and stuff.  It's kinda handy for making you not look like an arrogant idiot.

And to all my Japanese friends, I want you to know that you shouldn't listen to what any of those people say, they don't know what they're talking about.  This tsunami is a terrible tragedy and our prayers and hearts are with all of you.  God Bless Japan.  And God Shut-up America.


Sources:

Yes, I used Wikipedia, because every American who has the ability to use Twitter and make stupid comments has the ability to use the Wiki search bar.  I wanted to make it easy for you guys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Harbor_advance-knowledge_debate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor#cite_note-108
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_internment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki

20

So I turn twenty officially in six hours, but the Facebook landslide of birthday wishes has already begun, so I thought it best to go ahead and get the inevitable birthday post out of the way.

For the first time ever, I made myself a birthday present.  It's a personal website.  I'm going to be doing some experimental writing exercises and trying to get feedback on what concepts, topics, material, etc. people like to read about.  I'm also using it as a creative pool to get my ideas down and then be able to discuss them.  But we'll see how it goes.  I'm just determined to not let it turn into a LiveJournal or anything like that.

And as far as my actual birthday goes... I'm spending a vacation weekend with my family.  I don't know what the plan is for tomorrow, but I do believe my mum is planning some kind of super secret special dinner.  And for those of you who don't know, my mother is one of the most amazing cooks of all time.  She seriously missed her calling.

This has been my first vacation in four years, and it has been lovely.  Before Dad and the little sister (as well as the dog) came to join us, we had 24 hours just to ourselves for some mother-daughter bonding time.  We sat and enjoyed each others company.  We listened to classical music, drank tea, went for a walk at sunrise and napped.  I considered it a very productive, successful and relaxing 24 hours. 

But of course it wasn't stress free.  With all the destruction going on the other side of the world, I can't help but worry.  I'm still praying for all of my friends and their families and still waiting very anxiously for one of them to contact me.  But all I can do is pray for Japan, and hope that they can really come together as a country and maybe even the world come together to help everyone. 

It's a very humbling feeling to know that while I'm celebrating my 20th, there are people in Japan who might not get to..... And honestly, my biggest birthday present in the world right now would be if my friend Mari would message or email me back.  Her family is one of the most incredible ones I've ever lived with, and I am indebted to them so much.  So keep praying for Japan, and if you can send a few extra prayers to the Maeda family. 

地震 (Earthquake)

So last night I was on twitter when I noticed that #PrayForJapan started to trend.  Now as some of you may or may not be aware, I am in love with this country.  From its culture to its people I have not found anything I dislike about it except for perhaps sweet pink rice. 

So when I saw the news about a devastating earthquake I wasn't able to sleep a wink.  I have friends all over Japan and have actually been to Tokyo myself and will be going again this summer.  The destruction and devastation going on right breaks my heart.  I was messaging all my friends to see if they were alright.  Most of them seem to be, although I'm still waiting anxiously to hear from a few of them. 

The fact that Japan is asking for help is a huge deal.  They're a very self-reliant, self-sufficient country, so for them to be asking others for help means that they realize the magnitude of the situation.  However, I know that their leaders are some of the brightest minds in the world and that they do incredibly well under pressure.  I have faith that they will keep as many people safe as possible and try to keep this travesty from taking more lives than it already has.

Japan has an amazing ability to come together as a nation, and I know they will pull through this.  I feel helpless watching from the sidelines, but I'm sending my prayers out to them.  にっぽんがんばって！

So if you have a spare moment to read this, then please take a spare moment to think about Japan and pray, wish, whatever you do to send positive energy for them, please.