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William Otis's avatar

I'm trying to think of something less important than what the bunch of lawyers who argue before the Supreme Court LOOKS LIKE. Not having much luck. Could I get some help?

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Paul Mirengoff's avatar

This probably won't help much, Bill, but the other day I heard a black historian of movies talking about how inspiring it was for her, as a child, to see Pam Grier, the iconic black actress, starring in a film. This showed, the historian explained, that "people who look like me" can be movie stars.

I thought to myself, Pam Grier was gorgeous. This woman doesn't look at all like Pam Grier.

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skyzyks's avatar

Your example generalizes and lies close to the heart of the desire to reinterpret the history of western culture. You should suspect that your black historian also notices that lack of “people who look like her” in the grand narrative of more than two thousand years of western civiliation other than in servile roles for the most part: US history in the particular if you include the 170 years of British colonial rule prior to the Revolution. Presentism aside, it is a very narcisistic attitude toward history. History is not intended much less required to console you.

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SouthCentralPA's avatar

The Vegemite v Marmite issue is about the only thing that leaps immediately to mind...

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