On the eve of American independence day, I put together my Americana-ish outfit, which is also an attempt to remix this dress (and I have difficulty remixing, a sentiment well expressed by La Fille d'Or). I was also listening to the song my sister and I giggle over together, Dana Lyons' Cows with Guns.* It's appropriate because it's about bovine liberation, but it draws on themes of national independence movements (primarily of the 1960s and 70s, but we can relate them to the 1770s, I think.) I want to give this CD and book to all my friends with kids, but I don't know if my parent-friends would approve of tales of cows with automatic weapons (other than the Swedes, who give their kids books about unemployed single dads on public assistance who have great adventures together. Sadly, not in translation).
A lot of folks are wishing everyone a happy July 4, and I also hope you have a nice holiday weekend as well, but I am always ambiguous about this, as well as many other, holidays. Jessphg did a great post on patriotism and criticism yesterday, and it got me thinking about what patriotism means to me. I get annoyed when certain loud people claim a monopoly on the legitimate definition of patriotism. Patriotism doesn't mean never questioning the decisions of your government or never criticizing things that a government has done. Since I teach international relations and will teach international law in the fall, it's impossible to teach effectively without discussing some of our past government's mistakes (Iran contra, Chile 1973, arms races, Monroe doctrine, etc.) But like I always tell my students: being critical of what Washington has done in the past (or present) in no way is an attack on "America," although some students have difficulty separating the two (During this video, a very nice student and veteran got upset and shouted, "Why are you always picking on us! Why is everyone OUR fault?"). I can be patriotic AND prefer Howard Zinn's history of this country over, say, the Texas school board's story.
Blokey's parents come in tomorrow so we have our hands full entertaining soon, so I hope to be productive today and clean a lot. I may be able to drag my in-laws of a Scandinavian extraction to the beach (but not the shore) Monday. Maybe a beach post to come?
Have a lovely weekend, bloggy buddies!
Rad in Brooklyn, lefty American patriot, out.
Dress: Talbots, thrifted
Tunic as undershirt: UO
Belt: Not Just Vintage
Scarf: via Ebay
Shoes: via Heavenly Soles, MPLS
*I could listen to this song over and over again, but Blokey not so much.
This is definitely an all American look and I have to say it really suits you! Patriotism is such a complex thing because extremists and nationalists try so desperately to bifurcate further those who disagree with them. It comes to seem as though there exists a clearly defined set of behaviors, stances, and values that comprise of the patriotic which is simply not the case.
ReplyDeleteUgh don't even get me started on the Texas school board's story.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your partner's parents! Thank you so much for the blog shout out! I find it interesting that my use of the word economic led to a number of people to respond as though I was speaking only of recent recession-related stuff but my views of American history and American policy (and American hegemony) are much more far reaching and storied than that which cover a mere blip of the last few years (this is not to minimize at all the difficulty faced by so many who are unemployed, underemployed, in debt, foreclosed upon, or about to be foreclosed upon but it is only a recent fragment of the story).
Hmm. Another Independence Day outfit coupled with smart political commentary. I'm feeling a Lefty-July 4th-Weekend-Roundup coming on. 'Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteAlso, you look awesome and I really feel that's half the battle when preparing to host anyone, but especially when they're in-laws. Have a great weekend, and don't forget the spf 60 for all your Scandinavian family at the beach!
Questioning our government's actions is not only a privilege we have in the U.S., it's a responsibility--the very underpinning of democracy. Sometimes I'm amazed that the people responsible for founding this country's government had such vision--to create a government unlike any other known at the time. We like to believe that it's self-perpetuating, but one has only to look at very bad decisions of the past (Japanese internment camps, displacement of Native Americans, Jim Crow laws, and those you mention as well, Rad) to see that the continuation of a democracy relies on our active participation--and that active participation is not only about saying, "Right on, Govt." During the previous administration, blind allegiance would have supported the erosion of many civil liberties--a reminder that as citizens, we can't afford to be uneducated our about government or about its policies or the implications of those policies.
ReplyDelete(stands down from soapbox)
Great outfit, Rad.
Jess: You are way more diplomatic than I (in response to those economic comments). Hats off to you (and your many cute patriotic outfits)! And I totally agree with your assessments, especially the claim that economic issues are relevant beyond the scope of the past few years.
ReplyDeleteD-Med: Yes, that sounds good (a roundup). Other than JessPHG and I, who else should be included? Did you guys want to do a belated red and white canada day?
Charlotte: Yes, I totally agree. And that's actually part of our jobs as professors of the liberal arts- to instill this duties in our young citizen/students (I think). And I like your soapbox.
"dum dada dumdum dumdum
ReplyDeletecow well hung....
we will fight for bovine freedom, and hold our large heads high
we will run free with the buffalo, or die....."
I love that video! I posted it on my vegan friend's wall on FB and this was her response: "Oh medievalist- you are so fabutzen. bless those chickens." Bless those chickens, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cute outfit and I think you could wear it any old Lefty day, not just Lefty Independence Day. Hope the 'rents-in-law visit goes swimmingly (ha! See what I did there?). I only accidentally wore a grubby red & white t-shirt on Canada Day and I was kind of embarrassed when I went out in public in it. It's dorky to show enthusiasm for much here, except the atrocious Tim Horton's coffee. They might revoke my citizenship for saying that but I also agree that authority should be questioned and that it is our job as educators to demand those questions from our students. And not just about the coffee.
hahaha the video was funny. I watched it with my kids, so that's the kind of parent I am. (I laughed out loud when the chickens arrived.) I would read the Swedish book too, if I could read it.
ReplyDeleteNice American outfit: jean, tank, and (stylish) sneakers. When it's not too hot out, try remixing the dress as a trench. Oh, that could be awesome.
I had to figure out what remix ment. It is a fancy word for reusing/rewearing, correct? Rad, you know all the hip blogging slang.
Well, it looks like remix is everywhere. Kendi from Kendieveryday.blogspot.com is running a 30 for 30 challenge. 30 items of clothing remixed for 30 days. Something to think about....
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, lady. Our country is great because we have the ability to challenge those in power via speech. Have a fabulous weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LOVETH this outfit! The headband is tres awesome, and that denim dress is just fabulous :)
I love that video! I posted it on my vegan friend's wall on FB and this was her response: "Oh medievalist- you are so fabutzen. bless those chickens." Bless those chickens, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cute outfit and I think you could wear it any old Lefty day, not just Lefty Independence Day. Hope the 'rents-in-law visit goes swimmingly (ha! See what I did there?). I only accidentally wore a grubby red & white t-shirt on Canada Day and I was kind of embarrassed when I went out in public in it. It's dorky to show enthusiasm for much here, except the atrocious Tim Horton's coffee. They might revoke my citizenship for saying that but I also agree that authority should be questioned and that it is our job as educators to demand those questions from our students. And not just about the coffee.
"dum dada dumdum dumdum
ReplyDeletecow well hung....
we will fight for bovine freedom, and hold our large heads high
we will run free with the buffalo, or die....."
This is definitely an all American look and I have to say it really suits you! Patriotism is such a complex thing because extremists and nationalists try so desperately to bifurcate further those who disagree with them. It comes to seem as though there exists a clearly defined set of behaviors, stances, and values that comprise of the patriotic which is simply not the case.
ReplyDeleteUgh don't even get me started on the Texas school board's story.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your partner's parents! Thank you so much for the blog shout out! I find it interesting that my use of the word economic led to a number of people to respond as though I was speaking only of recent recession-related stuff but my views of American history and American policy (and American hegemony) are much more far reaching and storied than that which cover a mere blip of the last few years (this is not to minimize at all the difficulty faced by so many who are unemployed, underemployed, in debt, foreclosed upon, or about to be foreclosed upon but it is only a recent fragment of the story).