Friday, February 15, 2008

Africa Movie Time

Here are the options. You can search online for a synopsis of each, but all have been recommended:
Bamako (this relates a lot to our class; more info here
The others you've probably heard of:
The Last King of Scotland
Blood Diamond
Hotel Rwanda
Sankofa (may be difficult to find)
Out of Africa
Roots (any one of the series)
Cry Freedom
The Power of One
The Constant Gardener

SO POST YOUR REVIEWS HERE, TO THIS ENTRY:

Friday, January 18, 2008

MOVIE-TIME: India


Okay folks, here is a list of potential movies to watch about India. When you have watched one, post a reply below that gives your basic review and also what it taught you about Indian culture or history. Here are some choices:
Monsoon Wedding
City of Joy
Miss India Georgia
Mississippi Masala
I Have Found It
Bride and Prejudice
(both of these are based on Jane Austen novels)
Earth (a film by Deepa Mehta)
English August
Bend it Like Beckham
Gandhi (counts for double)
Mr. and Mrs. Iyer
A Passage to India
Salaam Bombay
A Train to Pakistan

Friday, October 12, 2007

The Truth about your T-Shirt


Folks, a friend recommended to me the article below on the cotton industry. I was not surprised but troubled. It has made me want to know more and more about products that are "fair-trade" (vs. merely "free-trade" and about organic products.

While some may bemoan big business and big money, the fact is this: what drives our economy is consumer demand. So the moral resposibility is ours to decide how we consume.

Here is an odd idea: maybe there is already enough stuff (clothes, household items, etc) out there that we could join the many (like Catherine and me) who prefer to buy used. It's spending you can feel good about!

Anyway, check out the article and remember, what we wear and what we eat and what we drive and how we live all have moral ramifications!

Fashion Victims: the Truth About Cotton

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Reflections on Moreau lecture


Well, Brother John Tryon had an interesting talk, urging all of us not to make Moreau into an unrealistic icon of a super-human. Rather, he wants Moreau to be seen as very human, and his saintliness in precisely his bold humanity. Further thoughts...

MOVIE REVIEWS


Some of you have been watching particular movies for my classes. Share the movie you watched and what you thought here. Consider it like Ebert and Roper but deeper.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Thoughts on Immigration Forum

Well, the ND Forum just ended, and now is the chance for those in my classes to share their views. So, who was the best speaker and why? What was the most insightful comment or moment? Or maybe you just want to share your ideas on some of the issues raised. The floor is yours....

Friday, October 5, 2007

WHAT's YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?


Many people, from all viewpoints, are talking today about carbon dioxide emissions. Where do they come from? From us, of course! So now there are ways to calculate how much YOU produce, and compare that to other Americans, and others in the world. It's called figuring out your "Carbon Footprint" and can be done at the site below. It is quick and easy, asking some basic questions which you can estimate.

Now, for those who are brave, after going to the calculator site, POST BELOW WHAT YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT is and then say if you want to work to lower it or not, and why or why not. I chose this site because it is from a very longstanding and respectable group, and gives commonsense tips about how to lower your score. Here it is:

CALCULATE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT