And the award goes to....

So, Crash won for Best Picture of the Year. This was one of the few years that I saw most of the Oscar-nominated films. And I have to tell you that as a film, Crash... well, not so much the best.

When the movie first got released, my partner went to see it. He came home saying that it was probably going to win many awards. He felt that it was quite a significant film in history.

Later that year, at Christmas dinner, the subject of the conversation turned to the movie Crash. Everyone but me had seen the movie and could not say enough about the significance of this film: it was eye-opening, it was humbling, it was so poignant, all kids 7th grade and up should see it. So, after dinner, when all the guests had left, I popped in the DVD and watched Crash.

And what did I think? Underwhelming. I felt it was Hollywood trying to bring to light something that already is being shined on brightly. I found it exceptionally affected: Oh oh, look at us! We made a film that says how awful people treat each other out there. How people assume that because you are dark-skinned, you must be in a gang. How people think that Asians are bad drivers who can't speak proper English. How the Keepers of the Peace are not that compassionate and are sometimes downright bigotted. Well, surprise, surprise. Welcome to the real world. Do I really need you to show me this onscreen? Crash may be significant for something. But ask all my non-Caucasian friends, they will tell you that it wasn't as significant as people want us to think it is.

As someone who faces racism & prejudice everyday, I find the film missed the point. So what does it feel like when someone asks you a question loudly, slowly, and over-enunciates their words because they think you can't speak English because of the shape of your eyes or the color of your skin? What does it feel like to be asked a question and then explained to in detail because they think that you would never know because people of your decent can't possibly have any experience in the subject? So, what does it feel like when someone tries to use foreign phrases that they think is your native tongue but isn't? And, what does it feel like to be overlooked because, to them, your sexuality dictates the opposite behavior?

What does it feel like? I know this much, don't watch the movie Crash because it won't give you a clue. Later.  ¶ 11:37 PM