The word of the day for July 8, 2008 is "distinction" noun 1 a archaic : division. b: class 4. 2: the distinguishing of a difference <without distinction as to race, sex, or religion>; also : the difference distinguished <the distinction between imply and infer>. 3: something that distinguishes <regional distinctions>. 4: the quality or state of being distinguishable <no distinction of facial features in the twins>. 5 a: the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy <a politician of some distinction>. b: special honor or recognition <took a law degree with distinction> <won many distinctions>. c: an accomplishment that sets one apart <the distinction of being the oldest to win the title>.
Dan's take on the portrayal of blind persons Semi-Pro and The Eye, oh My! is interesting. Nowadays in the media nobody can be "normal" anymore. As you say, if they have some perceived handicap--blindness, deafness, skin-color, victimitis--they must have overwhelmingly outstanding jobs/hobbies/looks/talents to compensate. It's like all game show contestants who are stock clerks or soccer moms must by definition also be attending MIT for a degree in nuclear physics or have organized the local SBKomen "Race for the Cure" in their spare time.
I read somewhere that one of the extras on the set of Gordon Park's The Learning Tree was told to sweep the front porch on which she was standing. She was highly offended by this request: The movie she was acting in was about Black people and these hincty people couldn't make her do menial work for love nor money.
Our quote for the day is from Florence King (b. 1936), U.S. humorist, essayist, social critic. Lump It or Leave It, New York, St. Martin’s Press (1990):
As the only class distinction available in a democracy, the college degree has created a caste society as rigid as ancient India’s. Condemning elitism and simultaneously quaking in fear that our children won’t become members of the elite, we send them to college, not to learn, but to “be” college graduates, rationalizing our snobbery with the cliché that high technology has eliminated the need for the manual labor that we secretly hold in contempt.
;^) Jan
2 comments:
I'm flattered that I inspired your post. As usual a fine post on a great site, although I will admit the word 'hincty' is new to me.
Dan
As always Jan a great piece of writing.. To me you are quite distinguished !! Love Sybil xx
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