Renowned University of Michigan professor who has taught at the school since 1995 is removed from his post after woke freshman complains about him showing Oscar-nominated acting legend Laurence Olivier in blackface in 1965 film Othello

[laylalex 7,300]

9 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

He has been suspended from teaching, and put under investigation.

That's not what the university says -- see my quote above.

 

And yes, I do know about cross-casting and think that it's perfectly acceptable, even now. I also know why a filmed Othello was shown but not why that filmed Othello was shown. There are far better (as I have now said about 57 kajillion times) adaptations out there to serve as a counterpoint to an operatic interpretation of the source work. The Olivier one is stagey and dated. The Welles one -- though older -- is less stagey and dated. There are any number of BBC adaptations out there, and of course Denzel's one, too. The point is that even back in 1966 when the film was first screened here in America it was considered offensive in its depiction of blackface. We are not Britain, and they have a tradition of blackface continuing far into the late part of the 20th century. The medium is overshadowing the message here, which the professor has said he didn't intend to do. 

 

People get things wrong and should be given the chance to apologize. I don't think he should have necessarily stopped teaching the class, but it was his decision to do so. He has said that. Perhaps he felt that he had lost the confidence of his students. Whether or not we think that is fair (and I don't), he was in a difficult position. 

[Dashinka 24,933]

28 minutes ago, laylalex said:

That's not what the university says -- see my quote above.

 

And yes, I do know about cross-casting and think that it's perfectly acceptable, even now. I also know why a filmed Othello was shown but not why that filmed Othello was shown. There are far better (as I have now said about 57 kajillion times) adaptations out there to serve as a counterpoint to an operatic interpretation of the source work. The Olivier one is stagey and dated. The Welles one -- though older -- is less stagey and dated. There are any number of BBC adaptations out there, and of course Denzel's one, too. The point is that even back in 1966 when the film was first screened here in America it was considered offensive in its depiction of blackface. We are not Britain, and they have a tradition of blackface continuing far into the late part of the 20th century. The medium is overshadowing the message here, which the professor has said he didn't intend to do. 

 

People get things wrong and should be given the chance to apologize. I don't think he should have necessarily stopped teaching the class, but it was his decision to do so. He has said that. Perhaps he felt that he had lost the confidence of his students. Whether or not we think that is fair (and I don't), he was in a difficult position. 

If you want more you will have to go and ask him.  A lot of things are offensive to a lot of people, but when we submit to the mob mentality, we lose the ability of critical thinking.

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

2 hours ago, laylalex said:

People get things wrong and should be given the chance to apologize. 

Based on your posts in this particular forum, I am guessing you voted for Biden.  Do you still believe you did what is best for America?

[TBoneTX 46,331]

Let's not bait, folks.

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

11 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Let's not bait, folks.

It's not bait, it's a legitimate question.  Even though I sometimes disagree with her political leanings, I trust @laylalex to be forthright and honest in her beliefs.  She has always up front with her posts.

 

I have a very good left-leaning friend, and we had this convo recently.  He replied that his investments were doing fine, he was about to retire, and he didn't really care what or how Biden was doing.  When I asked him if he cared about the country as a whole, and how it was being led, he plainly said NO, and that if it continued, he'd just take his money and move to a new country.  Pretty short-sighted IMO, but it's HIS plan.

Edited October 12, 2021 by LIBrty4all

[TBoneTX 46,331]

She has explained it in the past, I'm pretty sure.  Maybe she or someone can find the link(s).

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

She has explained it in the past, I'm pretty sure.  Maybe she or someone can find the link(s).

Or you could allow two adults to pursue a conversation and see what comes to light?

[TBoneTX 46,331]

Up to her!

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Up to her!

Thank you.  I trust her more than a hairy ape!! (Harimba, is that you?)

[TBoneTX 46,331]

5 minutes ago, LIBrty4all said:

I trust her more than a hairy ape!!

Discriminating against a group of superior primates!  Reported!!!

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

1 minute ago, TBoneTX said:

Discriminating against a group of superior primates!  Reported!!!

Well, last time I was in a cage with one, bad things happened. I AM a bit traumatized to this day!

[TBoneTX 46,331]

3 minutes ago, LIBrty4all said:

Well, last time I was in a cage with one, bad things happened. I AM a bit traumatized to this day!

You must lack brow ridges and a simian gap, the absence of either of which is a sure sign of evolutionary inferiority.   

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

5 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

You must lack brow ridges and a simian gap, the absence of either of which is a sure sign of evolutionary inferiority.   

Does a unibrow count?  I am SO TIRED of plucking that damn thing!  And Kamala's daughter said they are in vogue.

[TBoneTX 46,331]

44 minutes ago, LIBrty4all said:

Does a unibrow count?

Weakly.

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

15 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Weakly.

Do not make me invoke an Executive Order.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ella-emhoff-says-she-recently-183340835.html