In the film, “Anchorman,” legendary television broadcaster, Ron Burgundy claims diversity is “an old, old, wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.” Michael Scott, manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch from the television show, “The Office,” says it’s “a cornerstone of progress.”
Brian C. Johnson presented “Reel Diversity,” a film presentation that represented movies that show various forms of diversity. Johnson is seen with Walidah Justice, 35, from the Office of Student Services. (Photo by Lucas Rodgers) Many pop culture myths and misconceptions exist about diversity, but Brian C. Johnson hopes to share the “reel” definition.
Johnson presented “Reel Diversity” Oct. 5 at the Marple Campus in the large auditorium. The presentation is designed to help viewers better understand diversity, social justice and how Hollywood affects the public attitude toward these topics.
The presentation incorporated film clips from movies such as “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” “Undercover Brother,” “The Addams Family Values” and “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut,” among others.
Johnson is an academic advisor at Bloomsburg University who also serves on the ministry team of Revival Tabernacle Pentecostal church in Wagontown, Pa. He has been teaching film courses for about seven years and his favorite movies are “The Breakfast Club” and the “Saw” series.
Johnson discussed different dimensions of diversity including gender, age, race, religion and sexuality, emphasizing the importance of understanding diversity and bonding through similarities rather than pointing out differences.
He used a Venn diagram to outline how stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination are interconnected and can lead to oppression, defined as “the systematic, institutionalized mistreatment of one group of people by another group of people.”
“I think [the presentation] touched on every issue that is important to everyday people,” said Josh Shavers, 26, a liberal arts major. “It really touched the touchy issues.”
Johnson talked about the issue of ethnocentrism and the need for realization of multiple truths, referring to the quote, “Everything you’re sure is right can be wrong in another place,” to dispel the “my way is right” philosophy.
“I hope at some point we stop talking about diversity as a problem to be solved but more as an opportunity for us to really engage one another,” Johnson said.
Johnson opened the presentation with the “Rocky” theme song, then introduced himself as “the sexiest man on the planet.” He started out with a message of self-affirmation and explained the “art of self-promotion”: without affirming one’s self, one can not affirm others.
The first film clip, from “Daddy Day Camp,” showed kids at camp who have been separated into different groups, arguing about their differences and complaining about the groups they were placed in.
Hollywood has a lot to do with what we think about ourselves and others, Johnson said.
A scene from “In & Out,” displayed a gay man listening to an audio tape to reestablish his masculinity.
The speaker on the tape used stereotypes and name-calling to belittle effeminate men and promote “real” men.
Johnson explained that “How do you identify?” rather than “What [race/religion/sexuality] are you?” is a more comfortable question to ask because it enables people to explain how they identify themselves rather than how they have been labeled.
Later, a clip taken from “12 Angry Men,” featured an older white male claiming the entire black race was uncivilized and immoral by nature, when talking about a black suspect on trial.
Johnson then talked about social justice, which emphasizes equal rights and fair treatment for all members of society and resistance of oppression. He also stressed that there is humanity in every person.
“I think it was a great presentation … I learned a lot,” said Rosalyn Mitchell, a 49-year-old psychology major.
The final film clip was a rather hopeful one taken from “We were Soldiers,” and showed a military officer (Mel Gibson) delivering an inspiring speech to his diverse troops about how they may have different backgrounds, but in battle, they will all fight together and protect each other as soldiers and none of their differences will matter.
Johnson ended the presentation with his motto: “I cannot be the best me that I can be until you become the best you that you can be. And you cannot be the best you that you can be until I become the best me that I can be.”
Contact Lucas Rodgers at
communitarian@mail.dccc.edu
