We’re pleased to introduce a new website feature: the PsySR Blog, a forum for PsySR members to share their timely thoughts and analysis on social justice issues of the day from a psychological perspective. To contribute, send your brief essay (400-800 words) to blogs@psysr.org (along with your email address and few lines about yourself). We hope to add new essays every few weeks, so please check back here regularly. An archive of past PsySR Blog entries is available HERE.
NEW! (June 21, 2008)
How Many Small Donors Does it Take to End a War? by Marc Pilisuk
With record amounts of campaign funds from small donations, Howard Dean has taken the Democrats off the list for contributions from lobbyists and PACs. He asks instead for continuing support from small donors. Republicans, also distancing themselves from lobbyists with shady pasts, have been reaching for more small contributions as well. Like the military contractors and other special interests, however, we want something in return for our contributions: for many of us this is an end to the war and occupation that the U.S. started in Iraq. But we are unlikely to get this unless we use our newly-found financial power and call upon our leaders to act.
According to Patrick Cockburn of The Independent, "A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November. The terms of the impending deal, details of which have been leaked to The Independent, are likely to have an explosive political effect in Iraq. Iraqi officials fear that the accord, under which US troops would occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law, will destabilize Iraq's position in the Middle East and lay the basis for unending conflict in their country." Read More »
The Racial Truth Inside Popular Fiction’s Lie by Mikhail Lyubansky
“Fiction,” said Stephen King, “is the truth inside the lie.” What he didn’t mention is that, for many American young people, it may be the only truth they get, at least about some issues. It’s no secret that popular fiction exerts a strong influence on how kids, adolescents, and the rest of us think about controversial topics. It is therefore noteworthy that recent books and films such as the X-Men (Harry Potter too) have explicitly taken on racial issues with a clear and unmistakable anti-racist stance. As a result, important issues such as blood purity, group prejudice, and even eugenics have become part of the dialogue – both online and at the kitchen table. Moreover, with several more Harry Potter and X-Men films currently in production, these themes are likely to remain in our cultural dialogue for the foreseeable future.
Good stuff, dialogue. But what exactly does a popular franchise like the X-Men teach about race and racism? As just one example, what precisely does it mean when Magneto, the principle villain in the X-Men comics/films, tells Xavier, the leader of the X-Men, that he will fight for the liberation of his people (mutants) “by any means necessary”? Despite what are probably noble intentions on the part of the creative teams, for this generation of filmgoers it likely means a distorted view of Malcolm X and the Civil Rights Movement, an unrealistic understanding of contemporary race relations, and an unintended promotion of the racial status quo.Read More »
An Archive of Past PsySR Blog Entries is Available HERE.
We welcome contributions of new material and recommendations of new links from PsySR members. Please send an email to info@psysr.org and clearly identify the issue being addressed. Contributions received may be edited for space or combined in summary form with other contributions on the same topic.