"It is what it is."
Last week I heard these words so many times I wondered: What's going on here? What does this mean? It sounds like a chant, repeated so often and from so many mouths it resembls a mantra, but the end result isn't uplift or enlightenment. The words are often accompanied by a small shrug of the shoulders, or a resigned sigh. It isn't a new saying by any means, but it enters conversation these days much more frequently than before. It's not said in the sense of "what's done is done, move on." It sounds more like "that's the way it is and we can't do anything about it."
What happened to believing you can change things? Why the fatalism, the defeatist attitude? Where did rebellion go? Idealism? Believing in dreams of the future? Setting an example of optimism for our kids and friends and co-workers? Continuing to strive for our dreams despite the difficulties and barriers thrown in our way?
It's as if accepting the status quo has become the status quo. Why? Is it the state of the economy? Are people feeling so defeated they've given up? It's like some weird contagion, some invisible mote floating through the air, sucked in then sucking up all the positive energy, exhaled in this seemingly unrebuttable statement.
Well, I argue that it is indeed arguable. The Resistance during WWII didn't feel this way. 60's protesters, as mellow as they could be at times, didn't feel that way. Years ago, someone said to me, "I decided to settle." That bothered me in my youth like "it is what it is" grates now.
I prefer John Lennon's outlook:
IMAGINE. . .
Monday, September 3, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Reality TV?
It's a pretty telling comment on the state of affairs in America when a fictional t.v. series brings us closer to the truth than anything we hear on the "real" news. Last night's season finale of HBO's +The Newsroomwas so well-plotted and smart I almost started cheering for the issues it raised -- and would have if the walls and floors in my apartment building didn't carry every sound. I did, however, clap!
By focusing on the story of the near-impossibility of a 95-year-old black woman obtaining a photo I.D. in order to vote, newscaster Will (voicing, I'm sure, his creator Aaron Sorkin's concerns) brought into play many of the crucial issues we'll see as we near the election. Sorkin isn't afraid to let his characters passionately discuss the large issues of the day or their quirky obsessions (like the excellent Dev Patel's fixation on Bigfoot). Nor is he afraid to realistically depict how easily misled we can be in politics, love, friendship, and work.
Last night Will fearlessly called the Tea Party the American Taliban, listing bullet points making that analogy clearly feasible. He tackled religion as well, reminding his listeners that our Founding Fathers took great pains to keep church and state separate.
I was glad to see an EW reader refute the thumbs-down assessment of this show (EW called it a snooze-fest) by saying that it may be so for those viewers who don't want to think about the problems that face our country today. I say let them watch mindless reality shows if they (again, in Sorkin's words) "can't handle the truth." It is too bad, though, that there is no non-premium channel willing to be as brave as HBO on the political issues of the day. Another series that seriously discusses these issues is Bill Maher (again, HBO; again, a polarizing figure).
Sorkin has said, "I don't like riling people up. That's not what I'm going for, but I think that when people are talking this much and this loudly about a TV show, it's good for television."
Note that he said "loudly" - maybe I shouldn't have worried about the neighbors last night after all?
By focusing on the story of the near-impossibility of a 95-year-old black woman obtaining a photo I.D. in order to vote, newscaster Will (voicing, I'm sure, his creator Aaron Sorkin's concerns) brought into play many of the crucial issues we'll see as we near the election. Sorkin isn't afraid to let his characters passionately discuss the large issues of the day or their quirky obsessions (like the excellent Dev Patel's fixation on Bigfoot). Nor is he afraid to realistically depict how easily misled we can be in politics, love, friendship, and work.
Last night Will fearlessly called the Tea Party the American Taliban, listing bullet points making that analogy clearly feasible. He tackled religion as well, reminding his listeners that our Founding Fathers took great pains to keep church and state separate.
I was glad to see an EW reader refute the thumbs-down assessment of this show (EW called it a snooze-fest) by saying that it may be so for those viewers who don't want to think about the problems that face our country today. I say let them watch mindless reality shows if they (again, in Sorkin's words) "can't handle the truth." It is too bad, though, that there is no non-premium channel willing to be as brave as HBO on the political issues of the day. Another series that seriously discusses these issues is Bill Maher (again, HBO; again, a polarizing figure).
Sorkin has said, "I don't like riling people up. That's not what I'm going for, but I think that when people are talking this much and this loudly about a TV show, it's good for television."
Note that he said "loudly" - maybe I shouldn't have worried about the neighbors last night after all?
Monday, July 23, 2012
Another Publication!
I just found out today that one of my poems will be included in Adrienne Rich: A Tribute Anthology. I feel extremely honored. For those of you who aren't familiar with one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, I recommend you start with either Leaflets or The Dream of a Common Language. She died on March 27th. My poem, "Schoolgirl", was inspired by her poem "The Demon Lover."
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Exciting Publication News!
I arrived home today to a package sticking out of my mailbox. It was the arrival of the Anthology of Short Memoirs, Impact, which is available on Amazon, as well as other avenues, which I'll import for you below. My 9-page poetry sequence, "I Dress In Red," was accepted months ago for this anthology, and now it's out. I'm very excited, as now I have another credit for my author bio.
The blurbs in the front of the book are wonderful -- one of them references one of my poems! It was thrilling to read them in book form.
I'm elated that my persistence paid off and grateful to be published in such a handsome collection. If you have some extra dollars to spend, which I know is tough in this economy, buy the book and send me your impressions. Of course, the book I'm reading now will be set aside so I can peruse my fellow writers in Impact.
IMPACT: A Collection of Short Memoirs
ISBN-13:
978-0982922866
Trade Paperback: 6x9, 270 pages
$21.00
eBook: most formats (Kindle, NOOK, etc.,)
$4.99
Trade Paperback: 6x9, 270 pages
$21.00
eBook: most formats (Kindle, NOOK, etc.,)
$4.99
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