Post 2 - Module 2 Recap Blog Post

Poster for Godfather part 2, discussed in readings done in class today.

This week in Media Cultures class, we discussed a few different topics, all related around identity, and what can affect that identity. We started with a pretty simple idea: write what you know. This makes a lot of sense, since if it’s something you know, you’re more likely to do a good job. This would be especially important when writing, for example, a novel or screenplay. Next, we discussed the idea of Positionality; “The notion that personal values, views and locations how one understands the world”. This was an idea I’d thought of before; it is nice to have a term for it now, instead of it just existing as a vague concept. We then talked about how this position can influence our opinions without us even realizing it, which makes a lot of sense. That’s the basis of internalized racism, or homophobia; it’s just been so internalized that you don’t think about it. Following this discussion, we turned to how the media can influence our ideologies, or force their own ideologies on us, which I think is such an interesting idea. The subsequent readings and discussions were also interesting, not just to discuss this important topic, but also to see how each classmate brought their own take to the issue. I also enjoyed just how detailed the reading got; it’s discussion about Godfather Part 2, and how it so much subtext working below the surface, was fascinating, and it really makes me want to go re-watch that movie.