The 90th Academy

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that I was taking the time to think about my previous thoughts, particularly where I used the word, "wired". While I do have my own opinions with regards to the common metaphor and reference of the human mind as a machine, or that of the memory as a computer. The human mind is and will always be much more than a store house as are the computer chips. But because there are similarities as to how we process information, input and output, the word "wired" seems appropriate in this context. We are all wired differently through our past experiences, how they affected us, how we choose to respond, or not to respond, the work we perform, and the learning we have and seek to attain; everything from personal to professional inevitable shapes our thoughts to a collective whole being. But the difference is that while we do have different ways of thinking, doing, or even our routines: thinking, thoughts, and ideas require to be in the realm of - limitless. If you put a limit on thinking, then what happens to imagination? Imagination ceases, in a sense it becomes crippled. This is where we can find a common element, from the Academy of Thought, to the Academy of the Arts. Lets take the example of The Academy, the home of the Oscars. To explore issues, make films requires deep thoughts, a process of creativity before the actual thoughts are transferred to that of film. The same can be said about the Academy of Thought (Post-Secoandary Education, or any thinking institution). For ideas and thoughts to be transferred into tangible elements, for the purposes of social good, also requires deep thoughts, and a process of creativity, before society will actually reap the benefits.  

     And of course not everyone will understand the limitless thinkers, or innovators, but that is what distinguishes individuals from each other. We are all here to make a contribution that we have exerted out energies in. What makes the field of thought and film similar in a sense is that both are using talents to create cognitive shifts, shifts in our attitudes, beliefs, creating cultural understanding, and even making us think beyond our perception. This is the beauty of minds coming together. They say alone we can do so little, and together we can do so much, this is true. While alone we do need the space and time to think, with collective discussions, there is room to create social impact.

     Once again we can take the example of the Oscars: There were major wins for the Mexican Director, of "The Shape of Water" and a first for an African American to win an award for the category of Original Screen play. There was a showcase of Mexican heritage with music, and dance from the film "Coco". The win emphasizes the contribution of Mexican/Latino Americans. We can connect this to the current debate surrounding DACA, DREAMers, and immigration. The major premise that operates in America is "One Nation Under God", if this is the case, then this premise must be maintained. We must look within, mend bonds within a nation, and recognize the assets that emerge from all types of diversity, innovation, and continue to make progress towards social inclusion. Remind yourself that scarcity is a myth. The future is dependant on working together in harmony, and not through distortions, and divisions. Anything else would suggest that we are going backwards in our thinking. 

Just as premises in which a nation operates must be maintained, so too needs to be the effort that brought us to the point to where we are today. Is Civil war worth it, or any war? When the human mind that has developed intellectually knows the value of dialogue, discussion, and understanding, it would be ignorance to take up weaponry in the name to fight for peace. 

     I commend The Academy for taking steps to recognize the value of the Latino Mexican community, heritage, and also the African Contribution. Many members of these communities have adopted America as their home, and of course many who are American. California is the second state with the largest Mexican / Latino community, the first being Texas, rooted from the socio-historical contexts that date back to the signing of the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty in 1848 (Moll & Ruiz, 2002). It would be wrong to follow the macro rhetorics that have occurred at the Presidential level of hate, that we hear about the Latino, Mexican, or Spanish speaking communities. This is the beauty of the arts, we possess an open ticket to say, think, and do, and this limitless thinking is what we strive and fight for. This is the way of the artist. The implicit responsibility to be the truth tellers, and rectify what we have viewed as social harm. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Reference: Moll, L. C., Ruiz, R. (2002). The Schooling of Latino Children. In Suárez-Orozco, M. M, & Páez, M. M. (Eds.), Latinos Remaking America. (p. 362-374). LA, California: University of California Press.

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on March 5th 2017. 
Image 1 - Web Link
Image 2 - Web Link
Image 3 - Web Link
Image 4 - Web Link