Poor people. Ethnic minorities. (Muslims, for example). People who are not “pro-American” whatever that means.. This thought, of singling people out, has occured to me alot over the past few weeks. **shivers**.

Great post, Elsa, very thoughtful and thought-provoking. I’m glad you’ve taken the time to point out that bumper sticker, and the toxicity that comes with publicly and boldly stating nasty personal views like that - makes you wonder where we’re headed as a species, doesn’t it?

I agree with you Maureen, it will be those who are least able to defend themselves, the poor and people of color, but I would add women and children to that list. In fact, in many ways, I think this has already begun, or been happening, here for a long long time. I am heartened, however, by all the people in our country who would not stand for that, even tho some days it looks like everybody’s asleep to injustice. I don’t think it’s going to stay that way though.

“Back when documentaries were made to inform and actually document history rather than something fashioned to entertain or advance a political agenda [...]”
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree… My impression is that which facts are picked and included will tend to be a product of the prevalent trends in any society at any time. I mean, how can it be avoided? “Context” happens to be my one of my favorite concepts;) I’m a social scientist through and through…;)

Maureen: Muslims are not a ‘minority’, they are one of the largest religious groups, if not the largest (fastest growing, anyway). Europeans and even Christians are the minority, though the latter has a large boost due to Latin America & parts of Africa.

This topic has drifted through my mind lately. I believe it is due to the way the current administration has been run. I feel that people are targeted or made to feel “anti” if they voice any criticism. In a way it feels like we all have to fall in line with the goose step or feel the rath. If the right personality comes along with the way the world is ya never know!

Hats Off to Maureen for teaching kids something special about themselves that they can lean on when the chips are down, and that highlights gifts they have that no one can ever take away!

And Hats Off to Elsa for noticing this stuff and bringing it out to the light for examination and discussion - this very kind of thought-provoking dialogue is what sometimes helps people to choose if they’re part of the problem or part of the solution. And LMH, as a Native American woman, I can relate to your comment about ‘context,’ which many times is in the eye of the beholder and/or whoever writes the history books/documentaries, which, not to put words in her mouth, is where I think Elsa was headed with that. It’s all about the context that sells, the view that’s popular or trendy or acceptable, even at the expense of the truth . . .

And Hats Off to you too Miss: I hear you - remember what happened to Valerie Plame when her husband stood up to the Bush administration’s insistence about WMD? Yikes! Put that lady’s life on the line as paybacks to her husband.

But here’s to keepin’ on keepin’ on. Thanks for the great dialogue everyone!