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November 29, 2004
Bend me, shape me
This diary over at Kos inspired me to start thinking about the books, movies and television that helped to shape my political views.
After some thought, I've come up with this so far (they're not in order of influence per se...but order of what came to me as I typed them up):
1. Donahue: The original TV talk show. I watched it almost every day after school. It was always provocative and argumentative. I loved how Donahue challenged his guests to back up their ideas and constantly played Devil's Advocate.
2. The Grapes of Wrath: Steinbeck was a literary craftsman. This work is absolutely shaped my views of poverty.
3. 1984: Reinforced my belief that we must always, ALWAYS, question authority.
4. All in the Family: Archie Bunker pissed me off.
5. Maude: A smart mouthed woman with a spine of steel. And she was in a loving relationship with both her daughter and her husband. THAT was cool.
6. Dr Seuss: Horton Hears a Who, The Star Bellied Sneeches and The Lorax. Seuss' commentaries on how we're not alone in the world, racism and the enviornment make a lot of sense.
7. The Bible: Specifically, the life of Christ. I find his story incredibly inspiring and a model for liberalism. (As I mentioned to Kevin the other day, the quote from Ghandi that says, "so many of your Christians are so unlike your Christ" really speaks my own truth.)
8. Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, Othello and As You Like It all have strong social themes that ring true for me.
Those are the ones I've come up with so far...and I'm sure I'll think of others as I ponder it more.
I'd love to know what TV shows, movies and books helped shaped the political views of PK readers. Comment away.
Posted by Carla at November 29, 2004 09:35 AM