Analyzing Context

In this post, I will be looking at the big-picture ideas of my controversy. Below, I have provided my answers to the questions posed in Writing Public Lives "Reading in Context..." section, pg. 340.

C, Duncan. "Street art- shoreditch." 10/28/15 via flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

1. What are the key perspectives or schools of thought on the debate that you are studying?

The two main perspectives duking it out in my public controversy are those that feel Hollywood is exclusionary and those that feel Hollywood is fairly inclusive.

2. What are the major points of contention or major disagreements among these perspectives?

The major point of contention is whether or not the entertainment industry is systematically shutting out non-white/non-male performers and that they are not given the same opportunities as their white/male peers. Also, the distribution of awards and recognition is a major disagreement as well.

3. What are the possible points of agreement or common ground between the two perspectives?

The two perspectives do agree that acting talent should be held to a high standard and that contextual accuracy is important in film and television.

4. What are the ideological differences, if any, between the perspectives?

Progressive, social justice types are more inclined to agree that there is a problem with the system, while conservative, laissez faire types generally like to think the industry is doing fine on its own.

5. What specific actions do their perspectives or texts ask their audience to take?

Those who think there needs to be more diversity ask audiences to demand it from film executives, patronize more diverse film, and spread awareness of the problem. The opposing side wants audiences to look at the data available, support films that they like, and not perpetuate an idea of unfairness in the industry. 

6. What perspective are useful in supporting your own argument about the issue? Why did you choose these?

I will be using the not as vocal perspective that the industry is fair for my argument because I thought it would be more interesting to delve into this further. The other side has some strong supporters and rhetoric, so I considered this perspective in need of some more analysis and support.

7. What perspectives do you think will be the biggest threat to your argument, why?

I think the opposing side is a real looming threat to me, because I think the majority of my generation is the social justice type. Hollywood itself and those who work in it are very mindful and vocal about inequality, so my opposition to these norms will come with large obstacles.

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Reflection

Jenny and Rachel's posts delved into the questions much like mine did, which was reassuring. By looking over the information that they had gathered, I could spot some weaknesses that were also in my own work. I recommended to Jenny that she explore an aspect of the opposition a little bit more to find subtleties in the argument, and realized that I should do the same. Having a better grasp of the other perspective will help me strengthen my argument against it.