The Perfection of Dogmatism
An actors talent is not honed with literature on The System alone...
Just recently I began my exercise in reading books outside of the realm of The Method (originally known as The System). I felt a desire to expand my range from outside of the Gypsy; the Scorned Lover; the Femme Fatale; the Lolita; the Self-sacrificing Mistress; the Avant-garde Artist; the Little Sister; the Sacrificial Older Sibling; the Unaffected Mistress; the Pouty French Siren; the Bookish Recluse; the Passionate Intelligentsia...one gets the idea.
I decided, if I am to play a woman like Lily Taylor's character in "Household Saints" (1993), I will need to soften my personal disposition of aggressive religious zealot, with a healthy dose of surreal detachment. I also decided in order to temper this aspect, I must read about those who believe bone deep in their 'truths'; whether we all agreed or not. I read four books: "Twice as Good Condoleezza Rice and the Path to Power"; "Debating Race With Michael Eric Dyson"; "Monkey Girl : Evolution Education Religion And the Battle for America's Soul" (the court case involving Intelligent Design and Darwinism in Dover, Pennsylvania's School System); and "Global Financial Warriors: the untold story of International Finance in the Post-9/11 World".
Although I understood Secretary of State's (then National Security Advisor) momentum of forwarding America as the lone Superpower in the world, I felt like I did not wholly agree. Just as one cannot play 'king of the hill' alone, one cannot rule on the world field as a desert island. We are alone in our power and should act more like a benevolent (but firm) figurative Monarch within our lonely status. But I am also not privy to the sort of intel Dr. Rice has, so I will keep my opinions on my blog. "Twice As Good.." was EXCELLENTLY written and researched; so much so, that as I recounted some of the lesser known facts concerning our Secretary of State to those who had a hard time stomaching her political agenda, they actually softened to the idea of her as human (to me she is a living historic figure). Mabry decided to use his experience as a journalist to give the public what it was lacking concerning Dr. Rice's background- the facts. Everyone speculates, but they never bothered to research, AT ALL. I guess it's easier to label someone 'a token negro' or "Bush's Black Mammy", when you know neither fact nor logical assumption about them.
I tapped into a part of myself that was realized but cloistered away for the most part. Sure I tell funny anecdotes about growing up, but I keep my secret soul closed; because much like Dr. Rice, my family is sacred. We are the I---s, the J---s, the R---s and the L---s...proud of our heritage and never surrendering our dignity for what is trendy. We keep one another on the straight-and-narrow through family interventions; and heal within when times are tough. Weakness is not an option and failure does not exist...only re-routing opportunities. I would LOVE to meet her and tell her how much I admire her, hugging her against the ignorance and prejudice...but I have a strong feeling, Dr. Rice does NOT need this!
Next I read "Debating Race..." which had me re-evaluating just how much admiration I held for the Rev., Dr. Dyson. Memory is a funny thing, it keeps us safe from perpetual shock and disdain. Reading a collection of the Rev. Dr.'s debates and commentaries caused me to slide another title next to his educational ones...chauvinist. I won't spoil the book for you; suffice it to say, I learned a great deal about being an old school bigot while claiming a new way of thinking. I also learned how to keep myself hidden from the truth of who I really am from the Rev. Dr.- don't listen or read anything I have said, therefore I don't have to acknowledge the contradictions to open-mindedness. One could audition to be Sista' Soulja after what I learned from THAT book!
"Monkey Girl..." was another exercise in preaching one-side while pretending to present two. The author was definitely an agnostic and it showed! I liked the descriptions given to the religious leaders that pegged them as "overzealous" and "illogical"...the name-calling DEFINITELY proved the old adage, 'if they are wrong they will call us names' from the playground. I know how to play an agnostic now (read petty and arrogant) and a narcissist (as one of the leaders of the alternative theory was pegged throughout the novel).
"Global Financial Warriors..." read like a detective novel. I loved the writing style of author and I felt greatly informed about the impact 9/11 had on the global financial system, our financial system and the reforms that followed. We truly will not live the same ever again. I believe, after reading this book I could play a G-man type or a Girl Friday. Good stuff!
I will keep you all abreast of my further readings.
Just recently I began my exercise in reading books outside of the realm of The Method (originally known as The System). I felt a desire to expand my range from outside of the Gypsy; the Scorned Lover; the Femme Fatale; the Lolita; the Self-sacrificing Mistress; the Avant-garde Artist; the Little Sister; the Sacrificial Older Sibling; the Unaffected Mistress; the Pouty French Siren; the Bookish Recluse; the Passionate Intelligentsia...one gets the idea.
I decided, if I am to play a woman like Lily Taylor's character in "Household Saints" (1993), I will need to soften my personal disposition of aggressive religious zealot, with a healthy dose of surreal detachment. I also decided in order to temper this aspect, I must read about those who believe bone deep in their 'truths'; whether we all agreed or not. I read four books: "Twice as Good Condoleezza Rice and the Path to Power"; "Debating Race With Michael Eric Dyson"; "Monkey Girl : Evolution Education Religion And the Battle for America's Soul" (the court case involving Intelligent Design and Darwinism in Dover, Pennsylvania's School System); and "Global Financial Warriors: the untold story of International Finance in the Post-9/11 World".
Although I understood Secretary of State's (then National Security Advisor) momentum of forwarding America as the lone Superpower in the world, I felt like I did not wholly agree. Just as one cannot play 'king of the hill' alone, one cannot rule on the world field as a desert island. We are alone in our power and should act more like a benevolent (but firm) figurative Monarch within our lonely status. But I am also not privy to the sort of intel Dr. Rice has, so I will keep my opinions on my blog. "Twice As Good.." was EXCELLENTLY written and researched; so much so, that as I recounted some of the lesser known facts concerning our Secretary of State to those who had a hard time stomaching her political agenda, they actually softened to the idea of her as human (to me she is a living historic figure). Mabry decided to use his experience as a journalist to give the public what it was lacking concerning Dr. Rice's background- the facts. Everyone speculates, but they never bothered to research, AT ALL. I guess it's easier to label someone 'a token negro' or "Bush's Black Mammy", when you know neither fact nor logical assumption about them.
I tapped into a part of myself that was realized but cloistered away for the most part. Sure I tell funny anecdotes about growing up, but I keep my secret soul closed; because much like Dr. Rice, my family is sacred. We are the I---s, the J---s, the R---s and the L---s...proud of our heritage and never surrendering our dignity for what is trendy. We keep one another on the straight-and-narrow through family interventions; and heal within when times are tough. Weakness is not an option and failure does not exist...only re-routing opportunities. I would LOVE to meet her and tell her how much I admire her, hugging her against the ignorance and prejudice...but I have a strong feeling, Dr. Rice does NOT need this!
Next I read "Debating Race..." which had me re-evaluating just how much admiration I held for the Rev., Dr. Dyson. Memory is a funny thing, it keeps us safe from perpetual shock and disdain. Reading a collection of the Rev. Dr.'s debates and commentaries caused me to slide another title next to his educational ones...chauvinist. I won't spoil the book for you; suffice it to say, I learned a great deal about being an old school bigot while claiming a new way of thinking. I also learned how to keep myself hidden from the truth of who I really am from the Rev. Dr.- don't listen or read anything I have said, therefore I don't have to acknowledge the contradictions to open-mindedness. One could audition to be Sista' Soulja after what I learned from THAT book!
"Monkey Girl..." was another exercise in preaching one-side while pretending to present two. The author was definitely an agnostic and it showed! I liked the descriptions given to the religious leaders that pegged them as "overzealous" and "illogical"...the name-calling DEFINITELY proved the old adage, 'if they are wrong they will call us names' from the playground. I know how to play an agnostic now (read petty and arrogant) and a narcissist (as one of the leaders of the alternative theory was pegged throughout the novel).
"Global Financial Warriors..." read like a detective novel. I loved the writing style of author and I felt greatly informed about the impact 9/11 had on the global financial system, our financial system and the reforms that followed. We truly will not live the same ever again. I believe, after reading this book I could play a G-man type or a Girl Friday. Good stuff!
I will keep you all abreast of my further readings.
Labels: 9/11, Condi Rice, debating race, evolution, literature, monkey girl
posted by ScreenGoddessComplex at 10:30 AM
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