Friday, February 08, 2008
The Anti-Chic Chic
Question: What is it about very smart people who think it is oh-so-cool and hip to costume up, get pissed-drunk, and think Krewe de Vieux and its fixation on sex organs is "da bomb," and yet find expressions of enthusiasm for the excitement and emotion generated by a political campaign or a political candidate so embarrasingly phony and annoying? Is the irony of this lost on such folks. Hell, I'm all for letting it all hang out and rubbing elbows with fellow yuppie hipsters in the Marigny as an expression of one's "coolness" and cred as a member of the anti-establishment establishment -- and feeling jazzed by all that. I can get into that myself. But then I also think it's cool for moms and dads to do silly impromptu dances in public with their kids at the zoo or, for that matter, for people to get caught up in the emotions of a political campaign and to enjoy it, too. Shouldn't it all be good stuff and isn't it all liberating of the spirit?
yes - unless you cross the race line one too many times like a lot of folks in krewe du vieux. it left a bad taste in my mouth this year. the same race jokes made by KDV folks would never fly if they were made by moms dancing at the zoo...or dudes holding obama signs at parades.
ReplyDeleteNo arguments from me on that score, cynthia. I think race jokes aren't funny at all, ever, and no matter the context. Why do such jokes ever get a pass, much less at KDV? And aren't KDV aficionados supposed to be the hipster politically-correct crowd?
ReplyDeletei do think that carnival should be a place to freely express one's opinion...in a creative and liminal way. that's what bothers me. can't people be more creative in their statements on race to push the boundaries in a more progressive direction instead of resorting to the same tired "chuckle snort snort" commentary on race that we see all over the mainstream media? anyway, you clearly struck a chord...
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