How could a poor white boy possibly have a similar life experience to a poor native boy. None of this fits in the hierarchy of oppression I was taught in college.
I just finished reading the Billie Elliot essay. And I utterly agree with you Sherman. It has long been a criticism of mine against the left that they focus fast to much on race, whereas 'class' to me it's the life experience that has the most profound intersections. I've felt for a long time that as a mixed race native I had the most in common with white trash people. I know. White trash is a perjorative term. Okay, w what about trailer trash? No?... Ummm.... Blue collar. Okay. My felt experience is that there are more and greater differences that exist in the arena of class than that of race. But race has visual cues that class doesn't that make it seem more relevant., such as our mental associations with colors. Like when we say, "It was a dark day," we mean a sad, low day. Many people carry this over to character descriptions, forgetting it is a human they are describing. Also, differences due to culture can be quite pervasive. Culture and race are related terms that seem to inadvertantly get conflated. Whereas class commonalities are a more porous, allowing lines of experience to be shared a little more readily. Anyone find this to be the case?
I think it's very important for each and everyone of us to share, or expose ourselves and our story, including our unique experience of adversity. I did not grow up on the rez/or a rez, but I did grow up in a small city, few birds, and a very old, uninsulated house, no shower, just a bathtub. A member of the lower-middleclass, I never went hungry- but still I couldn't wait to escape. Although today I'd love to revisit it -just take out the difficult parts-celebrating the positive attributes of my flawed family, and the role I played in it. It seems to get easier to confront myself- as I mature. Your biography, and poetry have spoke to my spirit, identifying with the pain of just being VERY DIFFERENT- far from the norm, and motivating me to reveal my good, bad and ugly. How liberating.
One of my all time favorite movies. One of the most heartbreaking scenes to me is when Billy’s father is busting up the piano and Billy says, “Do you think she’ll mind?” 😭 My grandmother should have been a concert pianist, but she was trapped by circumstance. I try to live as artistic a life as possible in honor of her. Also, if anyone is Billy Elliott it’s you! Fuck anyone who says otherwise.
Such a wonderful film, it resonates with so many as it’s such a universal story.
The scene with his grandmother telling him ‘I could have been a ballerina’ hits hard - how many people do we all know who missed out because they were trapped due to how/where they were born? And that final scene, omg.
Weirdly, it was filmed in the town my grandfather was born in. If he hadn’t sailed to the other side of the world I suppose that would have been my life too.
Last time I saw a film in a theater was 2012, I think… Crimson Peak… it was awful. I wish I could get out more… but… this looks like a great film… I’ll have to arrange seeing it…
Absolutely. The trouble is that in the world of published, successful authors, very very few are of working class origins. Patronising coastal champagne socialism reigns amongst the nepo babies.
"But most readers won't understand that"--But everyone in the conversation would. I'm not going to put in an "As you know, Bob," every time a group of friends uses slang you haven't heard before.
"You'll alienate most of your readers"--Or maybe I'm not writing for you, I'm writing for people not enough books are written for, and hopefully others will see that there is something there for them as well.
I have tried watching it twice but it's too much. Maybe one day. I have learned how to listen to Sidney Bechet's Blue Horizon without falling apart. I can still see my folks dancing to it.
How could a poor white boy possibly have a similar life experience to a poor native boy. None of this fits in the hierarchy of oppression I was taught in college.
Hahahahaha! Yeah, shocking how economic class maybe also creates similar histories...
I just finished reading the Billie Elliot essay. And I utterly agree with you Sherman. It has long been a criticism of mine against the left that they focus fast to much on race, whereas 'class' to me it's the life experience that has the most profound intersections. I've felt for a long time that as a mixed race native I had the most in common with white trash people. I know. White trash is a perjorative term. Okay, w what about trailer trash? No?... Ummm.... Blue collar. Okay. My felt experience is that there are more and greater differences that exist in the arena of class than that of race. But race has visual cues that class doesn't that make it seem more relevant., such as our mental associations with colors. Like when we say, "It was a dark day," we mean a sad, low day. Many people carry this over to character descriptions, forgetting it is a human they are describing. Also, differences due to culture can be quite pervasive. Culture and race are related terms that seem to inadvertantly get conflated. Whereas class commonalities are a more porous, allowing lines of experience to be shared a little more readily. Anyone find this to be the case?
Tears spring in recognition. “I am Billy Elliot”
Glad and grateful that I found your words. These days.
Hello, Billy!
Hello Billy !
“Fuck that” indeed. “I am Billy Elliot”
Hello, Billy!
My daughter’s favorite musical and movie. It’s a classic - and relatable to just about everyone. 🙏❤️
Yes! I rewatched the movie last night. Still kills me.
I think it's very important for each and everyone of us to share, or expose ourselves and our story, including our unique experience of adversity. I did not grow up on the rez/or a rez, but I did grow up in a small city, few birds, and a very old, uninsulated house, no shower, just a bathtub. A member of the lower-middleclass, I never went hungry- but still I couldn't wait to escape. Although today I'd love to revisit it -just take out the difficult parts-celebrating the positive attributes of my flawed family, and the role I played in it. It seems to get easier to confront myself- as I mature. Your biography, and poetry have spoke to my spirit, identifying with the pain of just being VERY DIFFERENT- far from the norm, and motivating me to reveal my good, bad and ugly. How liberating.
Thank you, Monica. These experiences are universal but each storyteller is unique.
Thanks Sherman, for reminding us that personal dreams are nitro-powered. Anything is possible!
Thank you, Rick.
One of my all time favorite movies. One of the most heartbreaking scenes to me is when Billy’s father is busting up the piano and Billy says, “Do you think she’ll mind?” 😭 My grandmother should have been a concert pianist, but she was trapped by circumstance. I try to live as artistic a life as possible in honor of her. Also, if anyone is Billy Elliott it’s you! Fuck anyone who says otherwise.
Thank you, Dorothy.
I am BE.
Hello, Billy!
Such a wonderful film, it resonates with so many as it’s such a universal story.
The scene with his grandmother telling him ‘I could have been a ballerina’ hits hard - how many people do we all know who missed out because they were trapped due to how/where they were born? And that final scene, omg.
Weirdly, it was filmed in the town my grandfather was born in. If he hadn’t sailed to the other side of the world I suppose that would have been my life too.
Ah, the grandmother's dementia is heartbreaking.
Last time I saw a film in a theater was 2012, I think… Crimson Peak… it was awful. I wish I could get out more… but… this looks like a great film… I’ll have to arrange seeing it…
It's amazing.
Loved that film.
To your commentary...Agree. Humanity first, always. People who forget that stand for divisive grabs for power, and NOT for any kind of compassion...
Thanks.
Human is human, no matter how fucked up some of us are.
Yes!
"I'm Billy Spartacus!"
Hahahahaha
Absolutely. The trouble is that in the world of published, successful authors, very very few are of working class origins. Patronising coastal champagne socialism reigns amongst the nepo babies.
And the MFA programs tend to sand off the rough edges of the writers who did grow up poor and working class.
"But most readers won't understand that"--But everyone in the conversation would. I'm not going to put in an "As you know, Bob," every time a group of friends uses slang you haven't heard before.
"You'll alienate most of your readers"--Or maybe I'm not writing for you, I'm writing for people not enough books are written for, and hopefully others will see that there is something there for them as well.
I have tried watching it twice but it's too much. Maybe one day. I have learned how to listen to Sidney Bechet's Blue Horizon without falling apart. I can still see my folks dancing to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN2EurONieA
Beautiful.