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The Resurrection of White Men -Guest Post by Viola-Alex

11/29/2012

 
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Since the election we’ve heard a lot about The End of White Men. I have to admit, it would be something of a solution. I’m pretty tired of their shenanigans.

Which is why I had to be made to see the new James Bond movie by my White Man husband. I really wasn’t in the mood for all that sex, booze, and winning-at-all-costs stuff.

But those Brits are a crafty lot. SKYFALL is a subtle, thoughtful film. Yes, there are chase scenes and breasty women, but the writers and director have done what great British writers (including Ian Fleming, Bond’s creator) have always done. They’ve given us entertainment infused with brilliant social satire.

This savage age of ours has taken a toll on 007. Underneath the impeccable Tom Ford suit, the great White Man is tattered. His torso is covered with old scars. He’s no mental or physical match for younger colleagues. His official departmental obituary makes his life seem insignificant. The women willing to sleep with him seem fewer and a bit desperate.

Things that used to work, don’t. But like a true hero, Bond digs deep into the dusty recesses of his character. There he finds the simple, basic tools he needs. He also recovers some traditional masculine virtues like loyalty, honor, integrity, and the will to defend and protect those who are weaker, less fortunate, or just plain dependent on him to do the right thing. When asked if he has a hobby, Bond pauses then answers “Resurrection.” To the film’s credit, this one word has a million different meanings and not just for Bond, but for us, too.

Maybe it is The End of White Men. Or maybe they’re just long overdue for an evolutionary niptuck. Maybe it’s time to reach deep. Wise up. Grow up. Get real. Like the veganized Bill Clinton or the new bi-partisan Chris Christie.

I say, buck up, White Men. And let our dear James show you the way. 



Laura Novak
11/29/2012 02:15:33 am

Allow me to be the first to say thank you to V-A for another thoughtful and very well written piece. I know that I loved the movie and I'm sure I could not have articulated quite so well why I did. We went on my birthday, which is unheard of for us (going to noisy films in big theaters) but we loved it. In fact, it was not until DC came along that I really began to even like the Bond series. He's a game changer for me. The T & A quotient is down; the thoughtful man pondering his life and impact on others is up. I like that.

V-A
11/29/2012 07:13:52 am

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your soapbox. It's an honor to be associated with you and your friends.

grannyj
11/29/2012 09:34:51 am

What a great review V-A. Someone else recommended the new Bond film to me and now I think I really must go and see it. Thank you.

LizH
11/29/2012 10:43:50 pm

What a wonderful review VA. You have so eloquently described 'the White Men are long overdue for an evolutionary niptuck." Great review of the movie and I echo grannyj's sentiments and you've convinced me to see the film.

V-A
11/30/2012 12:21:34 am

Hey GrannyJ and Liz, Thank you for responding. (I only had to hide my eyes once in the SKYFALL. I am not a thriller kind of moviegoer.) If you see it, let me know what you think.

mistah charley, ph.d. link
12/1/2012 03:28:16 am

Speaking of the end of white men, over the last few years the two closest supermarkets to my house have changed hands

Formerly they were regional or national mid-level chains (Giant and Safeway, to be specific)

now the premises are in the hands of Korean chains

the one closest to me - a rather small place, so it was funny it was a Giant supermarket - is part of a 4-store metro area chain

the next one, a much larger premise, is H-Mart (H standing for the Korean name for Korea, presumably since K-Mart was already taken) - headquarters in New Jersey - all signage there is in both Korean and English

Shoppers and employees are Asian (including East Asian) and Latino - I have seen no black or anglo employees, and we "old stock" don't shop there that much either

This is the future - you got to LIVE it or live WITH it

Until it's time to get out of the way

Ottoline
12/1/2012 04:35:24 am

Re Safeway and the old white guys fighting back as best they can, in their inimitable way, I think this story deserves way more exposure than it got:

<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/16/1092198/-Safeway-s-general-counsel-tells-hilarious-sexist-joke-at-annual-shareholder-meeting">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/16/1092198/-Safeway-s-general-counsel-tells-hilarious-sexist-joke-at-annual-shareholder-meeting</a>

Basically calling Clinton and Pelosi of less worth than pigs. All in fun, of course. Of course. To me, the far bigger shame is that that audience laughed.

I did write to Safeway. No response, of course.

Ottoline
12/1/2012 04:37:06 am

Laura -- sure wish your blog had an edit/correct feature.

v-a
12/1/2012 05:16:10 am

Hey Mistah C and Ottoline-- You're absolutely right. Live with it or Live it. So hard for us babyboomers. The American face is changing.

mistah charley ph.d.
12/1/2012 02:51:38 pm

I suspect this is a slightly updated joke from the Bill Clinton era - he was a much more likely person to have custody of Arkansas hogs. In my hypothetical reconstruction, Bill got them "for Hillary and Chelsea".

I wonder if I actually heard this back then. Let me do a quick search to see if I can find this version on the web. I'll be right back.

Here it is - <<"good trade, sir" Hillary Chelsea>> - first one up is

http://www.jokebuddha.com/Razorbacks/recent


Ottoline
12/1/2012 11:28:43 pm

Hi m.c., Ph.D --

Interesting, the background of that joke. And the Hillary/Chelsea version is surely an adaptation of an old-time farmer joke (generic: just insert the names of two women who are pissing you off the most at the moment), demonstrating that this hostility is as old as the "war of the sexes." Expected for back-of-the barn grousing by the old-codger-losers to each other.

However, it's one thing to know that such jokes exist, and even to chuckle at them as circumstances warrant, but it's quite another thing for an upper-level rep of a company, a lawyer to boot, to tell it in a talk aiming to address the status/values of this company (which targets preponderantly women as customers!), and to express partisan hostility via this joke even though it is in a public setting (recorded talk). I guess I am just more outraged about this than the average bear.

Laura Novak
12/1/2012 05:21:46 am

We live in what is considered one of the most diverse pockets in America. The WM does not reign supreme here at all. The world has changed before our eyes and our lives are so much richer for it. Watching the election results and the audience in Chicago...it reminded us of what we live every day.

As for Safeway, that is appalling. It is reflected in their staff and their demeanors. They hire a lot of special needs adults. And I applaud them for that (tax breaks aside.)

Ottoline
12/1/2012 07:06:52 am

The WM does not reign supreme here at all?? I beg to differ, Laura.

I agree that the SF Bay Area has its points re diversity that are really great to appreciate. But I am appalled at the example I gave: The legal counsel for Safeway, a man who would know all about the legal implications of sexist behavior, and who is representing Safeway's values, and who knows he is being recorded -- he still feels it's okay to tell such a joke. And the audience laughs. To me, it shows a common-knowledge feeling that this way of thinking and speaking is just fine. WM-land seems alive and well at this shareholder's meeting. Yes Safeway employs special needs people and many non-white non-male folks in the retail area. But the values at the top are still toxic to women.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/05/17/safeway_exec_cracks_misogynistic_joke_employee_who_helped_customer_suspended_.html

Laura Novak
12/1/2012 05:23:37 am

I also want to say that I am such an easy target when it comes to movies as well. Show me exotic locations that I'll likely never see. Use fantastic cinematography and great costumes and I'm there. I just shove more popcorn into my face and enjoy being transported to another time and place.

And then there's Daniel Craig. Don't get me started. Plot aside. He's a man's man. And I love how Bond has evolved. Hats off to the folks who decided to modernize the gigolo of all times.

Ottoline
12/1/2012 07:14:45 am

O/T: re gigolo. Remember Pierrot and Pierrette? I've always liked gigolo and jiggle-ette. Sort of like, "when you are so dogmatic, it makes me catatonic." And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I do sincerely hope.

Jo
12/3/2012 12:13:54 am

I applaud the review V-A! You really captured the heart of the film.

I also love reading the various comments here: 'gigolo and jiggle-ette' and "when you are so dogmatic, it makes me catatonic." Hah!

The Safeway nonsense is appalling. I know where I won't be shopping in the future.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Laura Novak
12/3/2012 06:02:32 am

Thank you again, V-A for a wonderful essay. And to all of you for weighing in. And I don't disagree with you on this, Ottoline, but I try to look at the bigger picture of all the good that is around us simply because we are so varied here in our area. That one Safeway Stinker aside...and yes, it was an appalling joke. But so was their media relations when I was a reporter!!


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