racial claustrophobia

Jeremy and I used to be avid movie goers (like most MWNK *married-with-no-kids* couples of our generation). Then Macy came along - and we still went to the movies. We were one of the couples who bring their baby into the theatre with them. Then Macy started doing more than sleep all day, causing me to have a revelation. Today I woke up and realized we had become one of THOSE married couples. You know, the ones that - when a recent movie comes up in conversation - shake their heads and say, "We haven't been to a movie in ages!"

Which is why I only just saw the movie, CRASH, last night. I'm sure you saw it months ago in the theatre. Well, rest assured, it was still enjoyable from my laptop!

I thought the movie was brilliant, and it certainly provoked meaningful dialogue in our house. Set in LA spanning two days, the movie followed several characters with different racial backgrounds. Eventually, these character's lives 'collide' in ways that reveal prejudice, stereotypes and a glimmer of hope.

Just a few ideas the movie asked me to think about:

• Everyone carries prejudice and, given the right set of circumstances, will (re)act out of those prejudices in ways that surprise even them. Paranoia and fear will make the sanest person do the most irrational thing. The quote from the film that sticks out to me - "You think you know who you are. You have no idea."
• The movie unfolds in such a way that the veiwers own prejudices are exposed. I found myself surprised by the dark sides that emerged in people I had labeld as 'good' and the heroic actions of characters I had stereotyped as 'bad'. There are no heroes or villains in the story - just everyday people who are products of their environment, family, and frustrations; they ache in very human ways to connect and protect, but are stunted by their own fears and anger.
• We've always been told to 'flee from sin' - so the sex addict stays away from the internet, the alcoholic avoids bars, and the gambler keeps out of the casinos. Don't keep company with people who bring out the worst in you. BUT... when it comes to the sin of prejudice, it seems the opposite is warranted. The best way to deal with our personal stereotypes is to immerse ourselves in the very circumstances which arouse our prejudice. In fact, avoiding our prejudice seems to grow it - breeding a sleeping giant of intolerance that will eventually rear its ugly head.

If you've had a chance to see the movie... what did you think?

What subtle ways do you see intolerance in your world?

Is there room for warranted cautiousness without crossing the line into intolerance?