Freaks: Politically incorrect

In a traveling circus that performs a variety of acts, the main attraction is the visual display of the physically and mentally deformed who perform mundane acts for their viewers who look upon them with awe. Those that were once shunned from society become a spectacle of amazement with the performances of little people, limbless people, pinheads, conjoined twins, a bearded lady, and a half man/half woman.

A circus trapeze artist, Cleopatra, takes an interest in Hans, a midget who works in the circus sideshow. Her desire is not to develop a relationship with him, but to take his incoming inheritance. Hans enters a relationship with Cleopatra all while being engaged to a fellow little person who tries to convince him of Cleopatra’s true intention, which he fails to grasp. And at the same time, Cleopatra is in a relationship with another circus performer who encourages her to go after Hans’ money.

On their wedding day, Cleopatra drinks beyond her limit and relieves her entire plan while dishing out insults to her fellow peers. In reaction, they all decide to make her one of them, another freak.

The movie is one the lack completely in politically correctness, especially in the perspective of today’s media. The need to be politically correct has gone far past the social justice warriors of the classroom and moved up to our consumption of mass media. This movie could not be recreated today with the same tone without stepping on the toes of many sensitive people. Freaks, the movie, exemplifies the harsh tone and bitter reality of life. And it does not shy away from derogatory terms and mockery of others. This movie reflects the social change of our society’s limitation on expression since it was 1932 till now. 

Though it seems like political correctness is highly sought after, it doesn’t seem to be a trait need to become the president of the United States. In the 2016, Donald Trump mocked a disabled reporter while being recorded at one of his rallies. Many thought that that would be enough to end his political career, they were wrong. While hosting an event for Olympians and Paralympians in the White House Trump said, “What happened with the Paralympics was so incredible and so inspiring to me and I watched — it’s a little tough to watch too much ― but I watched as much as I could.” Has our society been so contaminated with too much politically correct media that they seek refuge in the appall truth of an individual’s inner thoughts? 

Similar to the movie, extreme conservative media outlets do not constrain themselves to political correctness, but rather shine in the light of being abrasive and brutality honest. In the media, shows like Alex Jones and Breitbart deflect the social norms of regulating expressive speech and use uncensored language. Could that vulgarity be a part of the reason for their success and the success of out current president?

Citizen Kane Movie

                              Citizen Kane is a quasi-biographical film which revolves around examining the life of Charles Foster Kane. Considered one of the greatest films in the history of cinema, it tells a story of life of a newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane whose life history is transferred to the screen through the eyes of his contemporaries. Though the film was made in the year 1940, its cinematic style and presentation still catches the admiration of viewers up till today.
                               The film when examined within the context of politics and governance today carries a lot of lessons. First and foremost, the film seems to ridicule those who upon failing to achieve their political ambitions has the whole world shattered before them even though there may still be a plethora of avenues to catapult oneself to success and prosperity. In fact this is easily  observed in the way and manner in which Kane's marriage got destroyed emanating from his failure in his political career which he saw was the ultimate.
                                 The film also teaches a very important lesson in human behavior in politics just as in other facets of life. The truth is unless for few individuals, many befriend and keep company with you because of  a future prosperity and success they envisaged in you or benefit they may derive from you. This is seen in the movie where after an unsuccessful bid for a political office Kane's relationship with those around him deteriorated, political and is still.
                                Finally, Kane died a sad and tragic death alone in his mansion. Indeed, the nature of Kane's death should act as a warning to all politicians and all individuals in general. When given a political power, man should be a wise leader trying to create a good reputation by being concerned about the affairs of his followers, instead of being abusive and nonchalant to the plight of the people, for a power may come to an end one day, but a good name may never do. This  is amply supported by the good name the likes of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Frankiln D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy have left for themselves in the annals of American political history long after their demise.