“what the f**k is juice?”

If you, like me, frequent the “internets,” it’s likely you’ve seen or read about the controversial “high fructose corn syrup” commercials (paid for by the Corn Refiners Association, of course) that egregiously endorse consuming the one thing in this country that has contributed most to childhood obesity and late-onset diabetes.

What gets to me most about these infomercials is not so much the idiocy of their message — namely, the “sweet surprise” of HFCS is that it’s good for you! – but the strange use of race in delivering it. A conscientious yet naive white woman rejects the purple drink that her black counterpart liberally pours into cups bound for the children around them. “You don’t care what the kids eat, huh?” asks sarcastic and morally shocked white mom, as she stares disapprovingly at irresponsible black mom. But of course, the Corn Refiners Association knows better and ends the commercial by positioning black mom as the more informed and enlightened one, which in my mind immediately invokes some watered down version of the archetype of the Magical Negro. (OK, so maybe I’m stretching it here, but still I’m a firm believer that these race archetypes persist even in the most nuanced of ways). White mom is stereotyped too — her rather plain hairstyle and outfit clash with black mom’s more “colorful” ensemble. By the end of the ad, both moms are friends again, small-talk, HFCS and all (with dull white mom even dishing out compliments out of some sort of, um, white guilt?) But I digress. See for yourself:

Of course, a far more incisive look at the juice wars can be found here:

in which she went all RBOC on you again

I am too busy to blog about politics, my family, different youtube videos and, of course, my job.  So I’ll meet you half way with another installment of RBOC, Grubby-style:

• I have a special needs student in my large lecture class: he has “an extreme case” of ADHD (his words) and diabetes.  He told me that he carries a syringe w/insulin in it “just in case I go white and pass out in class.”  I’m not sure if I’m supposed to give him the shot, although of course: who else would?  Also, his wife is pregnant with their third child and is due two weeks before the quarter ends.
• I’m teaching a single author lit class (Octavia Butler) and can tell already that we will probably run out of things to talk about sometime in late October.  The thought of leading that seminar for twelve more weeks makes me want to crawl in bed.  And. Stay. There.
• Bump started preschool this week.  He’s in the 2 and 3 year old room.  Already, he has been singled out as one of the more active tots.  I’m worried that he has “extreme” ADHD.  His teacher also told us that “he’s one of those you want to take home with you at the end of the shift.”  I heart Bump’s teacher.
• Mr. G is now my co-worker.  We struggle not too laugh to hard in the copy room together.
• Finally, I am beginning to feel more optimistic that maybe, just maybe, Obama will win the election.  (Mind you, I’m having a good day).  Because whenever I think about his opponents, I say to myself: WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD VOTE FOR THAT NOISE?

Obama’s Gmail Account

Not really, but, you know.  Courtesy of The Onion over here.  I can’t tell whether this is supposed to be a dig at MoveOn.org or Dick “oops, I missed” Cheney.

Click to enlarge.

“Name a country that starts with the letter U” (Yugoslavia?)

While I’m not one to slap a “Kill Your Television” bumper-sticker on my car, I do appreciate the sentiment. In fact, one of the many reasons I’m voting for Obama is that he’s the only candidate who has been saying for years, and I quote, “children can’t achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets.” Reading his memoirs and listening to his speeches, one gets the sense that Obama owes most of his success to his mother who, a feminist and an educator, made reading a priority in her home. No wonder he does well among the “educated elite” (code these days for “people who read and think too much”). He speaks a language many so-called “low information” voters don’t. It’s a language marked by subtlety and understatement that appeals more to our intellect than our gut. Not necessarily the kind of stuff made for Crossfire, Hannity and Colmes, and The O’Reilly Factor.

And, unfortunately, all of this might work against him.

incisive as ever

For more of where the article below comes from, go here.

“Lipstick on a Wing Nut”

(by Katha Pollitt)

John McCain chose the supremely under-qualified Sarah Palin as his running mate partly because she is a woman. If you have a problem with that, you’re a sexist.