http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26rich.html?pagewanted=all
This is another one from my archives of "stuff I find interesting" regarding moving image media and public discourse. This New York Times editorial ("Who Killed the Disneyland Dream") links to this home movie from 1956... a movie that won the Scotch Tape (!) contest for "why I want to go to Disneyland" or something like that. The film is really a fantastic period document reflecting on suburbia and the "American Dream." I wanted to embed the video here but couldn't figure out how to do it. But you can follow the links and watch it if you are so inspired. At 1956, it comes a bit late for the period our class is covering. But as historical discourse... it's a beauty.
YouTube has it here (part 1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtpodPJ5Xv4
... and here (part 2):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO6usyCc1zA&feature=related
After watching the Barstow family and reading the article, the author brings few interesting points about 1950s' life. The article points out 2 really interesting points; race within the Barstow home video and the post-war family economy.
ReplyDeleteBut I disagree with the author's pessimistic America, I think after this recession - there is a more financial consciousness and more productive /innovating communities due to the known job competition. Listing the Forbes most wealthy is not a way to disprove or minimize other successes in health or 'green' technologies. There has always been Carnegies and Rockefellers in this nation, but that does not equate into the new standard of the the American Dream.