Bollywood...

I found a hilarious article about frequently asked questions about Bollywood on the Time website. Many of the languages in these films are Hindu, but frequently there are spoofs in English. But they are not considered legit "Bollywood" films. Many of the true movies are anywhere between 30-90 minutes longer then a normal movie anywhere else. Also, the difference is due to the many song and dances that are incorporated into the lengthy movies. They decide that this fits because of the fact that dialogue doesn't always express your feelings. Another reason someone describes of the singing and dancing is because many aren't able to marry for love or have those type of experiances. They add these things to it because it is unreal ; singing dancing and beautiful women. But the real secret is why these actors dont sing, honestly because they can't. But they can really dance. Many of the actresses are trained dancers. And many of the moves describe feelings. hence, when the girl is trying to say "don't come near me" she would often make submissive gestures. Also, many of the actors are untrained. The main hot topic though of these Bollywood movies is the fact that many of the women are light- skinned, and like the US many of the women like to react to those types of things. Many indian women try very hard to make their skin lighter and lighter. Many of these views have to do with the caste system and the classes. This is because many light- skinned women tend to have the money to afford this type of makeup.

This portrays the many alternate lifestyles of both Indian cultures and how "Bollywood" percieves this culture. These movies may not truelly portray the real thing. But every Indian watching these movies keeps their hopes up.

Corliss, Richard. "Bollywood: Frequently Questioned Answers." TIME Entertainment 12 Aug 2003 26 Feb 2009 .

Scientology...

Scientology is a religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard. It is based on a person being an immortal spiritual being, whose survival depends on themselves and is their attainment of brotherhood with others and the universe.

Clearwater, Florida, the Scientology headquarters. Many have tried to destroy Scientology's hope by sabotaging them. Within hours of a video being posted on YouTube by the group Anonymous, the scientology main website was hacked and shut down. Also their worldwide offices were flooded with prank phone calls and black faxes (pages of blank black pages). This lost them many ink cartridges and tied up their phone lines. Also secret Church documents, videos, lectures, and course materials were leaked onto YouTube and other many websites. This hacking and disruption of their website went on for 3 days causing many to show how they feel about Scientology, but using pickets and protesting instead. What many don't know though, is what actually is going on within the Church. An incident awhile back showed documents to target an investigative journalist who wrote on the scandal of Scientology. She said that they infiltrated her life and framed her. Many former Scientologists who have spoken out to the media and others have ended up being cut off from their families and friends. It is told that Scientologists are even forbidden from showing themselves to certain websites. Also, they do not believe in the use of both psychiatric and neurological drugs. So that goes to show you, is there actually some sabotaging going on inside the Church or is it just another publicity scandal?

Cook, John. "Cult Friction." Radar 17 Mar 2008 4. 14 Feb 2009 .

Gender Stereotypes...

I came across this feminist website called the f-word. I found this article very eye opening to many different things wrong with how people view the opposite gender.

The internet has exposed some very wrong things that would never be put into magazines or broadcasted, such as sexist jokes. But what we are noticing is that they are now everywhere. Women are seen as endless shoppers, money-spenders, demanding, and outspoken. At least that is how most television shows and advertisements portray us. Men are seen as stupid, lazy, sex addicts, helpless brats, and most of all, unable to understand women in their own and our crazy emotions. People say that the law has been changed when it comes to gender equality, but it's the same as racism, although the law has fixed it we must do our part to make it actually progress. Feminism talks about breaking apart from our stereotypical roles and branch out from that, in order to become successful and live life to the fullest. Men as well as women have terrible views of one another, and need to break those views. Every gender needs to throw out these negative ideas, and look for a fuller life.

Gibson, Alex. "Why men should care about gender stereotypes."The F Word: contemporary UK feminism. 02 Feb 2008. 

The F Word. 10 Feb 2009 .

Polygamy...

Polygamy - The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time; -- opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the East practiced polygamy.

Polygamy has long been discussed and been the topic of many articles and news broadcasts. Polygamy started with the early secretive Mormons. Many believe it has alot to do with gay rights and marriage itself. Many believe that opposite gender requirements for marriage is prejudice, exclusive, and an arbitrary denial of ones choices in love. Polygamists believe that the number restriction on marriage is just as discriminatory. Also many think the thought of Polygamy and Homosexuality completely different. Things like gay marriage and polygamy may be seen as a threat to traditional marriage. Or, they may see it as our cultures individualism and choice to branch out. Either belief or sexuality choice is being given a low amount of respect.

Krauthammer, Charles. "Pandora and Polygamy". Washington Post Company March 17, 2006: A19.

Human Trafficking...

I read an article from the Washington Post on woman being sold into brothels to perform as prostitutes. This struggle in the world is most common in India. Brothels is another word for the "red light district". Katherine talks about Meena, who was sold by her boss. She was only 12 years old.

Although India has been rapidly increasing in development of the economy, what we don't see is the poverty of the millions of Indians. Thousands of women and young girls are sold into prostitution each day. Many are lured from their villages and cities on the account of being promised of false promises like jobs and marriages. One problem is that India is so diverse, to the point that taking them only a certain distance and they will have a completely different language. The working of these underground businesses make it nearly impossible to track down. This is usually how things like this happen; a family member or friend decides to approach the girls family about a job that pays well or a marriage that lets them not have to pay for a dowry. In other cases though, the parents sell the girls straight up. Many of the girls and women who are able to escape are rejected by their family, leaving them alone and poor. Especially when family is everything to their society.

Sayre. Katherine. "India Struggles Against Trafficking," Washington Post 17 June 2007. Associated Press. 5 Feb 2009