Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Repost: Stephen King Slapped My Face
(REPOSTED from my 11.22.63 journal, December 8, 2011.)
Stephen King slapped my face a few days ago. It hurt a lot.
There I was, happily bopping through the late 1950's with Mr. King narrating away at about 80 miles an hour. I'm loving 11.22.63, and the blast from the past is a joy. Root beer, short hair, ties -- we'd all want to go back, right? Even the cars are something to long for. And about the time King has you totally off guard, thinking sentimentally about a by-gone era. . . WHAM! King gives a big, open handed slap to the face. Not a girly slap; a hard, "WAKE UP, FOOL!" slap.
I grew up in the 80's -- in California. I was a white in a mostly black high school. Race relations could be tense at times. My senior year was the Rodney King riots, and it seemed like everything erupted in the Los Angeles area. But my best friend was black, and somehow we navigated through some rough waters. There was bad stuff going on around us, but for the most part we came out untouched. My mom has said she was glad for my friend, because it protected me from bitterness.
Any tension in 1980's California cannot compare to what was happening in 1959.
As we bop happily along through the novel, King describes a stop at a gas station. There's a men's and women's restroom, and then a sign for blacks with an arrow. Follow the arrow around the corner, and you'll discover there are no indoor restrooms for blacks. I'll not share the exact nature of the indignity, King does it better than I can -- but it made me angry. Partly because it's not the world I come from. And partly because it IS the world I come from! Our entire nation has been touched by generations of racism. When King describes the bathroom situation at the gas station, it evokes a righteous rage. "That is SO WRONG!"
We exist in boxes; our eyes covered. Racism is a thing of the past, it doesn't affect us -- right? But when I felt that sudden anger at someone being forced to go to the bathroom outside, some things started to make sense. The anger in the students around me as I grew up. It didn't make sense at the time. Why were they angry -- things were better for them than they had been for the last generation, right? But the arm of injustice has a long reach.
Injustice, racism, hate can't be cut off in just one generation. We live with the scars.
Out culture and teachers have tried to slap us, but usually it didn't sting as bad as it needed to. Movies like "Driving Miss. Daisy" are painful, but sweet. King doesn't give any sweet to his open handed smack. I remember reading Native Son in high school about a black man who accidentally killed a white girl, burned her body, and went to the electric chair. That novel provoked the desired uncomfortable discussions in English class, but it did not deliver the sudden, unexpected, slap that 11/22/63 gave me. Even movies that drive the point home, like The Help, don't really slap you. Because you see it coming! But King doesn't announce he's gong to slap your face. Of course, everyone should know at some point he's going to edge up on racism -- but when he catches you off guard and causes emotions to rush, it's both painful and a joy.
Baptist:
King sometimes shows us things from our own culture we don't like so much. The angry, cussing, racist Baptist landlord we encounter in Dallas disgusted me. That's outside my experience with Baptist (for the most part. Anyone who has done ministry for long has encountered some pretty angry people). I go to a racially mixed church (whites, blacks, Hispanics Asians). Baptist would be quick to point out that Dr. King was a Baptist, as were many civil rights leaders. Billy Graham, who publicly took a stand against racism by personally removing the ropes that separated whites and blacks in his meetings was a Baptist. But that's not the whole story, is it?
I don't like the cussing, angry, nasty racist landlord being a Baptist. I would rather focus on the positives! The MLK's, the Graham's and so on. For a moment I found myself frustrated with King's writing. It seems he often chooses the Baptist to be the racist (Reverend Rose in Needful things is an example -- only he hated Catholics). And at least with rose, the character is not well developed. He just hates. But in 11.22.63, things feel a little more real. These feel like people you might actually meet somewhere. Not just a caricature -- but a true step back in history. And if I could go back in time, I'd like to take a swing at that landlord!
Thank You
So I'd thank King for the slap in the face. Thank him for making it hurt. For stirring emotions I've actually never felt; not very deeply. Because I don't live in a culture where racism is so openly practiced, but we do live with the scars. But people respond to one another based on their scars, and we don't always understand why they act the way they do.
Stephen King slapped my face a few days ago. It hurt a lot.
There I was, happily bopping through the late 1950's with Mr. King narrating away at about 80 miles an hour. I'm loving 11.22.63, and the blast from the past is a joy. Root beer, short hair, ties -- we'd all want to go back, right? Even the cars are something to long for. And about the time King has you totally off guard, thinking sentimentally about a by-gone era. . . WHAM! King gives a big, open handed slap to the face. Not a girly slap; a hard, "WAKE UP, FOOL!" slap.
I grew up in the 80's -- in California. I was a white in a mostly black high school. Race relations could be tense at times. My senior year was the Rodney King riots, and it seemed like everything erupted in the Los Angeles area. But my best friend was black, and somehow we navigated through some rough waters. There was bad stuff going on around us, but for the most part we came out untouched. My mom has said she was glad for my friend, because it protected me from bitterness.
Any tension in 1980's California cannot compare to what was happening in 1959.
As we bop happily along through the novel, King describes a stop at a gas station. There's a men's and women's restroom, and then a sign for blacks with an arrow. Follow the arrow around the corner, and you'll discover there are no indoor restrooms for blacks. I'll not share the exact nature of the indignity, King does it better than I can -- but it made me angry. Partly because it's not the world I come from. And partly because it IS the world I come from! Our entire nation has been touched by generations of racism. When King describes the bathroom situation at the gas station, it evokes a righteous rage. "That is SO WRONG!"
We exist in boxes; our eyes covered. Racism is a thing of the past, it doesn't affect us -- right? But when I felt that sudden anger at someone being forced to go to the bathroom outside, some things started to make sense. The anger in the students around me as I grew up. It didn't make sense at the time. Why were they angry -- things were better for them than they had been for the last generation, right? But the arm of injustice has a long reach.
Injustice, racism, hate can't be cut off in just one generation. We live with the scars.
Out culture and teachers have tried to slap us, but usually it didn't sting as bad as it needed to. Movies like "Driving Miss. Daisy" are painful, but sweet. King doesn't give any sweet to his open handed smack. I remember reading Native Son in high school about a black man who accidentally killed a white girl, burned her body, and went to the electric chair. That novel provoked the desired uncomfortable discussions in English class, but it did not deliver the sudden, unexpected, slap that 11/22/63 gave me. Even movies that drive the point home, like The Help, don't really slap you. Because you see it coming! But King doesn't announce he's gong to slap your face. Of course, everyone should know at some point he's going to edge up on racism -- but when he catches you off guard and causes emotions to rush, it's both painful and a joy.
Baptist:
King sometimes shows us things from our own culture we don't like so much. The angry, cussing, racist Baptist landlord we encounter in Dallas disgusted me. That's outside my experience with Baptist (for the most part. Anyone who has done ministry for long has encountered some pretty angry people). I go to a racially mixed church (whites, blacks, Hispanics Asians). Baptist would be quick to point out that Dr. King was a Baptist, as were many civil rights leaders. Billy Graham, who publicly took a stand against racism by personally removing the ropes that separated whites and blacks in his meetings was a Baptist. But that's not the whole story, is it?
I don't like the cussing, angry, nasty racist landlord being a Baptist. I would rather focus on the positives! The MLK's, the Graham's and so on. For a moment I found myself frustrated with King's writing. It seems he often chooses the Baptist to be the racist (Reverend Rose in Needful things is an example -- only he hated Catholics). And at least with rose, the character is not well developed. He just hates. But in 11.22.63, things feel a little more real. These feel like people you might actually meet somewhere. Not just a caricature -- but a true step back in history. And if I could go back in time, I'd like to take a swing at that landlord!
Thank You
So I'd thank King for the slap in the face. Thank him for making it hurt. For stirring emotions I've actually never felt; not very deeply. Because I don't live in a culture where racism is so openly practiced, but we do live with the scars. But people respond to one another based on their scars, and we don't always understand why they act the way they do.
VIDEO: The National Medal Of Arts Awarded To Stephen King
President Obama awarded Stephen King the National Medal of Arts at a White House ceremony today.
news.mpbn.net cites president Obama saying, "Without them there would be no edible schoolyard, no ... really scary things like 'Carrie' and 'Misery.
The article also stated:
The official citation, read by the president's military aide, cited King as one of the most popular authors of our time and praised his work, saying he has both delighted and terrified audiences around the world.Which is pretty close to the White House statement:
"Stephen King for his contributions as an author. One of the most popular and prolific writers of our time, Mr. King combines his remarkable storytelling with his sharp analysis of human nature. For decades, his works of horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy have terrified and delighted audiences around the world."
Stephen King Chides Governor LePage
In his weekly radio program, Maine governor LePage suggested that Stephen King left Maine because of the states income tax.
Meanwhile, remember who introduced the income tax here in Maine. Well, today former Governor Ken Curtis lives in Florida where there is zero income tax. Stephen King and Roxanne Quimby have moved away, as well.Stephen King issued this response to Goernor LePage:
"Governor LePage is full of the stuff that makes the grass grow green. Tabby and I pay every cent of our Maine state income taxes, and are glad to do it. We feel, as Governor LePage apparently does not, that much is owed from those to whom much has been given. We see our taxes as a way of paying back the state that has given us so much. State taxes pay for state services. There's just no way aRound it. Governor LePage needs to remember there ain't no free lunch."Now it makes me wonder if the Republican Governor knows anything at all about Stephen King and politics. Did he really think King, who has openly said he should pay more taxes, would leave the state because of taxes?
Amy Fried at Bangor Daily News points out that Stephen King has not left the state. She writes:
I live in Bangor and frequently walk past his house on West Broadway. There are often cars in the driveway with Maine plates. I sometimes see Stephen or Tabitha in Bangor.
The Kings vote in Bangor. I’ve looked up their donations to federal candidates and they’re listed as Maine residents.
Besides the Bangor home, they also own a home in western Maine. Plus there’s a house in Florida.
Does Stephen King Hate Christianity?
Politics and religion. Don't talk about those, right? Well, that is what boring people say. They're afraid you might make enemies. Strong people are able to talk about their beliefs, faith and politics without sinking into the mud.
Several Stephen King tweets have caught some attention recently, most notably citing Bible verses and applying them to current issues in the United States.
Jim Stinson at www.al.com/news has an interesting article titled, "Claiming Christians, conservatives are hypocrites on immigration: A tactic of Nancy Pelosi, Stephen King."
Nancy Pelosi I'm really not interested in. And neither is Stinson. His title works mostly to just tie King to the ultra liberal congresswoman. Pelosi said recently that "Jesus was a refugee." Well, Jesus lived in an occupied country; but he resisted all calls for him to lead a popular uprising and instead focused on spiritual issues.
Pointing out that liberals don't like it when the Bible is used to oppose abortion and gay marriage in particular, Stinson then suggests that maybe Stephen King is behaving hypocritically when he in turn invokes the Bible to suggest we should be more generous toward undocumented children coming to our country.
Stinson writes, "Stephen King appears to always have a bone to pick with Christians in his novels and adaptations." He then cites Carrie's mother, "The Mist," and the Christian warden in "The Shawshank Redemption." (We wont' tell Stinson about Desperation, Insomnia and a few other little novels that didn't show Christians in such a great light.)
Missionaries To Tattooeen:
Stinson says, "It seems the real villain in many of King's works are Christians -- not murderers, monsters and psychokinetic killers." REALLY?! Does this guy have a persecution complex?
Okay, time to lay my cards on the table. I'm a conservative, Christian pastor (Baptist) who reads Stephen King. Do I get tired of the characterizations we encounter in books like Under The Dome, Carrie and so on? Yeah, we do. But here's the problem -- there are Christians out there who act just like those King characters do! People can get mad at King for painting things they don't like, but the truth is, he's just painting what he sees. It's like getting mad at the Simpsons because Flanders is such an annoying character.
Instead of being upset, I would suggest that what Christians ought to do is pay attention to the world's characterizations. We should be interested in how we're coming across. After all, the Gospel is at stake -- right?
If you're a missionary to a lost tribe on Tattooeen, you are very interested in what that tribe thinks of you and the message you bring. If they object, misunderstand or misinterpret what you are saying; it is not the missionaries job to berate the hearers but to rethink the approach. That is what modern Christianity must do in the American culture. I am concerned that we are not clearly communicating what we believe outside of our own camp. So we should be very interested in a Stephen King enters the assembly to tell us how we're coming across.
One person said in the articles comments that she was done reading Stephen King. Well I guess that will show him. . . NOTHING! How stupid to say, "If you don't agree with me, I can't read your books." Maybe the failure to listen to each other got us Americans as polarized as it did. To be certain, I'm a moral conservative. I'm certainly not a fan of Mr. Obama or his policies, or his attorney General. But does that mean I can't talk to Democrats?
One of the bridges church can make is actually a political one. Some of my best friends in church were people who saw things completely different politically. Yes, because of the cause of Christ, I fell in love with them. And that lead to deep conversations in which we really challenged one another. More than that, it became harder to just group everyone who believed different than me in a single "bad" category. I might not agree, but I came to understand where they were coming from. That's what is being lost! The ability, or want, to know where someone else is coming from.
Is King hostile to Christianity?
What Mr. Stinson might ought to have done before he wrote his article is read my book, Stephen King, A Face Among The Masters. I know, I know -- shameless self promotion here. It would have helped him, though.
Here's the problem: People who understand and appreciate the basics of the faith end up rejecting it because of the coldness of its adherents. Is it possible for Christians to be liberal in love and conservative in theology? Of course! Because that is exactly what Jesus modeled to us and demanded of us.
When a guy like King starts to talk Bible, the last thing believers should do is shout him down.
Getting Specific:
Stinson claims that in reality, King villanizes "tea-party Christians."
He then asks, "And while Nancy Pelosi and Stephen King worry about the proper application of Christian theology into immigration policy, do you think they will raise alarm about death threats made against Iraqi Christians by the al Qaida offshoot, ISIS?"
Let me reword that: Stinson is saying that if you want to play with our toys (the Bible,) then you have to hold to our political views on everything. Problem with that? YEAH! Seems I remember Jesus saved his harshest attacks not for the liberal Sadducees but the hypocritical Pharisees.
The problem is closed doors. When someone wants to use the Bible in a discussion, Christians should be glad for the opportunity to discuss things Biblically, not shout, "Hey, those are our toys, not yours!"
About The Border:
King tweted, "Much easier to be a Christian when the little children aren't in your back yard, isn't it?"
Ouch. And that should sting. Let me translate for those who can't quite grasp what he's saying. In other words, it's one thing to claim to hold to your faith when it is to your benefit. When it 's about Hobby Lobby and the rights of a Believer. But the sincerity of our faith is tested when we are challenged to show kindness to another.
The Bible is FULL of discussions about how Israel was to treat the "alien" among them. Here's the problem for American Christians; you can't leave that at the feet of Israel. The mandate is transferable to us. It does not mean we have to let everyone in, or that the border policy doesn't need to be changed.
What it means is two fold:
1. On a personal level, Christians should show real love to the outcast. (Gasp.)
2. On a national level, Christians should voice thoughtful, humane, ideas that go beyond just, "throw 'em out!"
The conservative argument goes like this: "Don't use the Bible for your argument unless you're ready to use the Bible as a standard for everything." I say, be happy there's a starting place of common ground.
Several Stephen King tweets have caught some attention recently, most notably citing Bible verses and applying them to current issues in the United States.
Jim Stinson at www.al.com/news has an interesting article titled, "Claiming Christians, conservatives are hypocrites on immigration: A tactic of Nancy Pelosi, Stephen King."
Nancy Pelosi I'm really not interested in. And neither is Stinson. His title works mostly to just tie King to the ultra liberal congresswoman. Pelosi said recently that "Jesus was a refugee." Well, Jesus lived in an occupied country; but he resisted all calls for him to lead a popular uprising and instead focused on spiritual issues.
Pointing out that liberals don't like it when the Bible is used to oppose abortion and gay marriage in particular, Stinson then suggests that maybe Stephen King is behaving hypocritically when he in turn invokes the Bible to suggest we should be more generous toward undocumented children coming to our country.
Stinson writes, "Stephen King appears to always have a bone to pick with Christians in his novels and adaptations." He then cites Carrie's mother, "The Mist," and the Christian warden in "The Shawshank Redemption." (We wont' tell Stinson about Desperation, Insomnia and a few other little novels that didn't show Christians in such a great light.)
Missionaries To Tattooeen:
Stinson says, "It seems the real villain in many of King's works are Christians -- not murderers, monsters and psychokinetic killers." REALLY?! Does this guy have a persecution complex?
Okay, time to lay my cards on the table. I'm a conservative, Christian pastor (Baptist) who reads Stephen King. Do I get tired of the characterizations we encounter in books like Under The Dome, Carrie and so on? Yeah, we do. But here's the problem -- there are Christians out there who act just like those King characters do! People can get mad at King for painting things they don't like, but the truth is, he's just painting what he sees. It's like getting mad at the Simpsons because Flanders is such an annoying character.
Instead of being upset, I would suggest that what Christians ought to do is pay attention to the world's characterizations. We should be interested in how we're coming across. After all, the Gospel is at stake -- right?
If you're a missionary to a lost tribe on Tattooeen, you are very interested in what that tribe thinks of you and the message you bring. If they object, misunderstand or misinterpret what you are saying; it is not the missionaries job to berate the hearers but to rethink the approach. That is what modern Christianity must do in the American culture. I am concerned that we are not clearly communicating what we believe outside of our own camp. So we should be very interested in a Stephen King enters the assembly to tell us how we're coming across.
One person said in the articles comments that she was done reading Stephen King. Well I guess that will show him. . . NOTHING! How stupid to say, "If you don't agree with me, I can't read your books." Maybe the failure to listen to each other got us Americans as polarized as it did. To be certain, I'm a moral conservative. I'm certainly not a fan of Mr. Obama or his policies, or his attorney General. But does that mean I can't talk to Democrats?
One of the bridges church can make is actually a political one. Some of my best friends in church were people who saw things completely different politically. Yes, because of the cause of Christ, I fell in love with them. And that lead to deep conversations in which we really challenged one another. More than that, it became harder to just group everyone who believed different than me in a single "bad" category. I might not agree, but I came to understand where they were coming from. That's what is being lost! The ability, or want, to know where someone else is coming from.
Is King hostile to Christianity?
What Mr. Stinson might ought to have done before he wrote his article is read my book, Stephen King, A Face Among The Masters. I know, I know -- shameless self promotion here. It would have helped him, though.
Some of King’s darkest novels include the brightest religious themes. Yet King has said that he does not see himself as God’s stenographer. He does not claim to know the mind of Christ, but makes no apology for discussing God, religion, and theological concepts in his books.Is King hostile to Christianity? I don't think so. I think he's hostile to the behavior of some Christians. If I had a discussion with him about religious things, we would deeply disagree on some key things; basic doctrine. But that disagreement doesn't mean I would think he's "hostile" to the whole Christian faith.
Gardner, Brighton (2014-05-04). Stephen King A Face Among The Masters (Kindle Locations 1728-1730). . Kindle Edition.
Here's the problem: People who understand and appreciate the basics of the faith end up rejecting it because of the coldness of its adherents. Is it possible for Christians to be liberal in love and conservative in theology? Of course! Because that is exactly what Jesus modeled to us and demanded of us.
When a guy like King starts to talk Bible, the last thing believers should do is shout him down.
Getting Specific:
Stinson claims that in reality, King villanizes "tea-party Christians."
He then asks, "And while Nancy Pelosi and Stephen King worry about the proper application of Christian theology into immigration policy, do you think they will raise alarm about death threats made against Iraqi Christians by the al Qaida offshoot, ISIS?"
Let me reword that: Stinson is saying that if you want to play with our toys (the Bible,) then you have to hold to our political views on everything. Problem with that? YEAH! Seems I remember Jesus saved his harshest attacks not for the liberal Sadducees but the hypocritical Pharisees.
The problem is closed doors. When someone wants to use the Bible in a discussion, Christians should be glad for the opportunity to discuss things Biblically, not shout, "Hey, those are our toys, not yours!"
About The Border:
King tweted, "Much easier to be a Christian when the little children aren't in your back yard, isn't it?"
Ouch. And that should sting. Let me translate for those who can't quite grasp what he's saying. In other words, it's one thing to claim to hold to your faith when it is to your benefit. When it 's about Hobby Lobby and the rights of a Believer. But the sincerity of our faith is tested when we are challenged to show kindness to another.
The Bible is FULL of discussions about how Israel was to treat the "alien" among them. Here's the problem for American Christians; you can't leave that at the feet of Israel. The mandate is transferable to us. It does not mean we have to let everyone in, or that the border policy doesn't need to be changed.
What it means is two fold:
1. On a personal level, Christians should show real love to the outcast. (Gasp.)
2. On a national level, Christians should voice thoughtful, humane, ideas that go beyond just, "throw 'em out!"
The conservative argument goes like this: "Don't use the Bible for your argument unless you're ready to use the Bible as a standard for everything." I say, be happy there's a starting place of common ground.
King takes on Amazon
Stephen King, along with hundreds of authors like Nora Roberts and Donna Tartt signed an online letter criticizing Amazon.com. Amazon has been restricting access tow orks publishedby Hachette Books Group over e-book prices.
Hillel Italie at The Telegraph explains, "Amazon has slowed delivery on books by Preston and other Hachette authors, limited discounts and removed pre-order tags for upcoming releases."
Italie's article focuses on author Douglas Preston, author of "The Codex."
Hillel Italie at The Telegraph explains, "Amazon has slowed delivery on books by Preston and other Hachette authors, limited discounts and removed pre-order tags for upcoming releases."
Italie's article focuses on author Douglas Preston, author of "The Codex."
In a telephone interview Thursday, Preston said he was receiving so many emails of support that he felt like "a data entry clerk." Known for such thrillers as "Blasphemy" and "The Codex," Preston said he admired Amazon and appreciated how many of his books have sold through the online retailer. But he objected to Amazon's "scorched earth tactics."
"A lot of pain is being inflicted on innocent third parties," he said, referring to authors whose books have been affected.
Preston's next book, "The Lost Island," is a collaboration with Lincoln Child that comes out in August. Only the audio edition can be pre-ordered.
Is Lawnmower Man Comparable To True Detective?
Jeff Jenson has an interesting article titled, 'True Detective': Does Stephen King's 'The Lawnmower Man' explain the monster at dream's end? popwatch.ew.com
This is actually the most I've read about Lawnmower man -- ever.
From the portion discussing politics:
Like King’s story, True Detective traffics in culture war politics, and makes Republicans look like jerks , and clearly desires for them to reap what they sew, or just get reaped. The well-connected Reverend Tuttle tried to co-opt the Dora Lange investigation by lobbying for a task force to investigate anti-Christian crimes that would take charge of the case. And then there’s Hart’s father-in-law: In his single scene so far this season, Maggie’s well-to-do pop, clearly a political conservative, made a big impression by making snide comments about President Bill Clinton and complaining about sex-crazed young people wearing Goth make-up. “Things aren’t like they were when I was young. People said ma’am and sir. There was more dignity. People weren’t out in the streets yelling about their rights.”and from the section discussing "circle"
“The Lawnmower Man.” The titular character tells Harold that his overgrown backyard won’t be a problem to cut. “The taller, the better. Healthy soil, that’s what you got there, by Circe. That’s what I always say.”Circe? Circe was the Greek goddess of magic. Her niftiest trick: She could turn her enemies into animals. In Homer’s Odyssey, in fact, she seduced the great hero’s men and transformed them into pigs.
True Detective. The Carcosa cultists had “animal faces ” — masks — according to victim/survivor Toby Boulair [sp?], aka “Johnny Joni.” And all of True Detective’s “heroic” men? Total pigs.
Politics - Is There Room For Disagreement ?
YOU READ STEPHEN KING!
People are sometimes surprised when they learn I read Stephen King. Seen more than one guest pause at my bookcase and examine the portion dedicated to King first editions and unique stuff. "Why do you read Stephen King?" the bold ones ask. I read Stephen King for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I think he's a good writer.
The reason people in my circles are surprised I read Stephen King is because I'm usually a political conservative on social issues and I'm a pastor of a church. If CBU and Seminary taught me anything, it's that I can read people I disagree with. In fact, most higher education is just assigned reading. They force you to read a lot of stuff by people who see (saw) the world completely different than we do. I didn't agree with a lot of things Luther wrote, but that didn't stop me from benefiting from reading his work. Same with Calvin, Barth and more importantly Charles Schulz. I don't agree with Rob Bell or the modern atheist Richard Dawkins, but I read them both. You can't have dialogue, conversation or understand where another person is coming from unless you take time to read.
Reading Stephen King often gives me a perspective that I don't agree with, but should at least be informed of. His is a more liberal worldview. Do I benefit from getting a glimpse? Of course! I don't always like it when King injects a lot of politics into something, but at least I know where he's coming from.
ENDER'S GAME
I'm surprised when people think we should boycott certain writers. When you choose to avoid a writers entire body of work because you disagree on some points of politics or religion, you miss the opportunity to learn where they are coming from. More importantly, if the door is shut, you are assuming EVERYTHING they say must be wrong. Here's the thing -- I might disagree with Luther on a lot of stuff, but most stuff I agree with him on.
It is disappointing that some in the gay community are calling for a boycott of Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game," because he supports traditional marriage.
Greg Gilman at THE WRAP writes,
Gay advocacy and fandom group Geeks OUT launched an online campaign earlier this week asking moviegoers to skip the Nov. 1 release of "Ender's Game" due to Card's previous comments against gay-marriage.
"Do not buy a ticket at the theater, do not purchase the DVD, do not watch it on-demand. Ignore all merchandise and toys," the organization's website reads. "By pledging to skip Ender's Game, we can send a clear and serious message to Card and those that do business with his brand of anti-gay activism -- whatever he's selling, we're not buying." (movies.yahoo.com/news)Should we boycott people we disagree with? This same tactic drives me nuts in the religious community. Not quite the melting pot we were promised in grade school. Remember the SBC Boycott of Disney? Didn't break Disney, did it? The Last Temptation Of Christ was set to be a total failure, until religious groups protested it and got everyone interested in what all the hubbub was about.
READING DOESN'T = ENDORSEMENT
Here's an important point to remember: You aren't politically endorsing someone's work by reading or watching it. And saying, "Well, I didn't read that!" doesn't make you look smart. Boycotts only make boy-cotters look narrow minded.
EW posted a response from Card, in which he said:
Ender’s Game is set more than a century in the future and has nothing to do with political issues that did not exist when the book was written in 1984.
With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the gay marriage issue becomes moot. The Full Faith and Credit clause of the Constitution will, sooner or later, give legal force in every state to any marriage contract recognized by any other state.
Now it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute.
Orson Scott Card (insidemovies.ew.com)DANGEROUS CROSSROADS
America is at a dangerous crossroads -- we've stopped talking to one another. We're shouting, but we're not talking. It concerns me when Republicans don't know any Democrats, and when Democrats don't have any Republicans they count as friends. When we think the whole world must think like we do -- or we will find ways to punish them -- we are participating in intellectual intolerance.
I believe marriage can only be defined as being between a man and a woman. I don't think government can change that definition. That conviction doesn't cause me to stop reading liberals who would totally disagree. And I would suspect those liberals would want me reading their work, in hopes I might see the world from their point of view. For many of us, our understanding of marriage is a Biblical issue more than a social issue. It has to do with how we interpret Scripture. Those same Scriptures show us how we are to treat those we disagree with; something I wish many in my own camp would take a closer look at.
I would say to conservatives that they would do well to read non-political novels by liberals. Why novels? Because through characters writers are showing us the world from their point of view. That's worth understanding. The same goes for liberals, they should try and read people who don't see the world the way they do. Slamming the door and calling people names only makes your position look childish.
I have read a post from people who argue Stephen King should stay out of politics. I disagree. And I'm on the other side of the aisle from him. But just because he is an artist doesn't mean we should not be interested in how he sees the world. Or, what he might say that either builds bridges or we might agree with (gasp!)
So here's a real question --
Is there anyone you read that you totally disagree with ?
YAHOO: Who Was Stephen King's Inspiration for His 'Under the Dome' Villain?
Check out this yahoo article on Big Jim, titled, "Who Was Stephen King's Inspiration for His 'Under the Dome' Villain?" (tv.yahoo.com)
Kelly Woo writes,
Kelly Woo writes,
If the villain of "Under the Dome," which premiered to an audience of 13.14 million viewers making it the most-watched summer drama on any network since 1992, seems familiar, it's because he's based on former Vice President Dick Cheney.and,
Norris revealed, "Stephen King whispered in my ear, 'You're Dick Cheney. That's who you are.'"
Yep, Big Jim is Cheney in King's view.With recent developments of the government spying -- I wonder if Big Jim might have a broader context than first offered.
King Gives Large Gift To Gun Control Advocates
Stephen King has made passionately expressed his opinions about gun control in his essay "Guns." According to The Guardian, King has made a "substantial" donation to a The Coalition for a Safer Maine. According to the Guardian,
The group supports legislation calling for greater background checks on gun owners, a ban on the size of magazines that can be sold and a strengthening of the prohibition of the sale of guns to those judged to be mentally ill.The Guardian also notes:
It said in a statement on its website that it had received a "substantial donation" from King and his wife (and fellow author) Tabitha King, and that the couple backed its support of gun control legislation.
"We are grateful for the generous support of Mr and Mrs King at this pivotal moment in our efforts to establish common-sense gun regulations in Maine," said Larry Gilbert, former mayor of Lewiston, former federal marshal and co-chair of the Coalition for a Safer Maine.
Is King More Personal
Question -- do you feel like you know Stephen King better than other authors?
I found myself thinking about this as I read The Stand. A character named Joe appears on the scene -- a child who doesn't talk but sure likes knives! Larry Underwood is not a fan of the kid. I thought, "I wonder if Joe is a tribute to his son. Probably same age when it was written." Then I began to think how much I know about King. Strange. I didn't seek to know anything. That's the truth! I just read books.
But I don't know Tom Clancy's kids names. If I work real hard I might come up with Dicken's wife's name -- but I don't remember. I did see Dicken's biography on Biography channel, but it was so cut up and scattered that it offered nothing.
But without much extra effort you learn a lot about King and his family. For one thing, that's because his introductions and commentary's are always so chatty and personal. For another, his writing itself is very personal. Scattered throughout novels are personal nods.
Is it just that I read more King? I read Anne Rice's books for a while. I know she had a husband who died and a son. And I read a book about her return to Christianity (before she un-returned!). But still, there's not that sense of personal connection.
Seems the more you know about an author, the clearer their narrative voice becomes. I suspect one reason readers go back again and again to certain authors is because they feel a connection to them. I know, and disagree with, King's politics. But actually knowing where he's coming from helps me understand what he's writing about.
Now I'm not advocating crazy fandom! In fact, I don't make any attempt -- or want to -- meet King or know him. I'm just a reader. It worries me when I see how crazy people get for a signature in a book or. . . more. But a "constant reader" as King calls us slowly learns more and more about the artist just by reading. Of course, King has made himself available for about 1.6 billion interviews! So that helps. He speaks often on an array of subjects.
One of the things I really respect about King is his love for his wife. Does this make him a better writer? Probably not. But my respect for his treatment of his wife gives me a deeper appreciation for his work.
Now I have read a couple biography's on King. But here's an interesting thing: His biography's all follow the same trail! They focus on his writing career (as they should) instead of personal interactions with family. By the way, George Beahms "Stephen King, America's Best Loved Boogieman" is the best bio out there.
Think about all the stuff you know about King. Isn't that strange? Do you know that stuff about other authors? Did you go out trying to find out those things, or did the information just come bit by bit as you read.
King Tells Washington To GROW UP!
Stephen King has an editorial at the Bangor Daily News (HERE).
Discussing his essay, "Guns" King wrote:
Throughout the article King calls for middle ground. I'm a conservative on most social issues -- and I would be glad for middle ground and honest discussion in our nation. If we stopped hating each other, we might be able to talk.
Discussing his essay, "Guns" King wrote:
What I asked for in that piece — what I almost begged for — was that we Americans find some middle ground on the subject of heavy-duty firearms. Just a small median strip of rationality between the honking freeway lanes jammed with those on the political right and the political left. According to polls, the majority of Americans would really like a place like that, where a rational discussion could be held without raised voices.About the reception to Guns, King shares that the response has been strong but "in many ways depressing."
There have been more than 1,300 capsule reviews on the Amazon website. A thousand have been favorable (834 five-star reviews, 205 four-star reviews). More than 200 have been unfavorable (160 one-star reviews, 49 two-star reviews). In the middle, the place I really wanted to reach, less than 90. If you need a statistical example of how polarized the country is, there it is.It is interesting, King points out, that those who liked the essay were also verified as having bought the book. Many who marked it with one star were not noted as having bought the item! Like writing a book report on a book you made up.
Throughout the article King calls for middle ground. I'm a conservative on most social issues -- and I would be glad for middle ground and honest discussion in our nation. If we stopped hating each other, we might be able to talk.
Guns
From King's website, stephenking.com
Stephen has written an essay discussing his thoughts on the gun control/gun rights issue facing the U.S., available now as a Kindle Single through Amazon.com.
“I think the issue of an America awash in guns is one every citizen has to think about,” said King. “If this helps provoke constructive debate, I’ve done my job. Once I finished writing ‘Guns’ I wanted it published quickly, and Kindle Singles provided an excellent fit.”
King is donating all profits to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.From Amazon: In a pulls-no-punches essay intended to provoke rational discussion, Stephen King sets down his thoughts about gun violence in America. Anger and grief in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School are palpable in this urgent piece of writing, but no less remarkable are King’s keen thoughtfulness and composure as he explores the contours of the gun-control issue and constructs his argument for what can and should be done.
King begins the essay by taking is down a the well known path of what happens when there is a mass shooting. King moves quickly from crime to the need for gun control to the NRA's opposition -- and concluding with a repeat of the cycle of violence.
In the second section, King discusses his book, RAGE, which I read recently. He documents case by case instances when his book was directly cited as part of a violent crime. Scary stuff. After a 1997 shooting, King writes, "That was enough for me, even though at the time, the Loukaitis and Carneal shootings were the only Rage-related ones of which I was aware. I asked my publishers to pull the novel from publication." King points out the difficulty in this, since it required pulling the story from the Bachman collection of books.
It had been reported that King apologized for writing Rage. No Sir, King insists. He writes,
I never did and never would. It took more than one slim novel to cause Cox, Pierce, Loukaitis, and Carneal to do what they did. These were unhappy boys with deep psychological problems, boys who were bullied at school and bruised at home by parental neglect or outright abuse.King notes he pulled the novel with regret. Not because it was great literature, but because " it contained a nasty glowing center of truth that was more accessible to me as an adolescent. Adults do not forget the horrors and shamings of their childhood, but those feelings tend to lose their immediacy" I find that incredibly insightful.
There's a lot more in the essay -- and it's REALLY good!
The Essay is laid out as follows:
1. The Shake
2. Rage
3. Drunks in a Barroom
4. Culture of Violence
5. From my cold dead hands. (No, Moses did not say that!)
6. No Solutions, Reasonable Measures
Epilogue
Purchase the essay HERE.
Does That Car Have A Driver?
Angela Hill at Tri-Valley Times has a short post titled, "Five Driverless Cars That Want To Kill You."
Hill writes,
Driverless cars may be the motor vehicles of California's near
future, thanks to legislation approved by Gov. Jerry Brown last week. They're
supposed to be safer, never getting drunk or breaking traffic laws. But watch
out for the ones that go bad.
YES! See, we can't say we haven't been warned! Two of Hill's "driverless" cars are from the Stephen King universe.
#1, "Christine" (1983) -- This carefully restored red 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine has a deadly past and turns out to be possessed by the devil, going around killing people. Thank you Stephen King.
#4, "Maximum Overdrive" (1986) -- Stephen King strikes again with a bunch of big rig trucks that come to life and try to kill a group of people trapped in a truck stop. Emilio Estevez tries to save the day. This time it's not demons, but possible extraterrestrial involvement.
King Signs AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL letter
Stephen King was one of many well known names to appear as a signatory to Amnesty International's open letter to President Obama and Karzai. Of course, this is offered on the eve of upcoming talks between the two leaders.
The document lists eight specific steps they ask the leaders to take in order to ensure the protection of women and their representation in Afgan government.
The letter reads in part:
The full letter is HERE.
The signatories are HERE.
The document lists eight specific steps they ask the leaders to take in order to ensure the protection of women and their representation in Afgan government.
The letter reads in part:
We are concerned that the U.S. and allied withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 may put women and girls at even greater risk of abuses. The latest statement by the Ulema Council of Afghanistan that women should “respect the right of men to polygamy” and “not travel without a close male relative,” must be viewed as a threat to women’s human rights. The Council has proclaimed that men are superior to women.
In this climate, we are alarmed that inadequate attention is being paid to women’s rights and participation in peace talks with the Taliban. Women must be empowered in the educational, economic and political life of Afghanistan or the country will fail to achieve a stable and prosperous future after a decade of effort to secure and rebuild the country.Kings name is simply listed: "Stephen King, Author."
The full letter is HERE.
The signatories are HERE.
10,000 Magazines: UMaine Today
10,000 Magazines, #9,999
UMaine Today, December, 2001
This magazine is cool because it's not highly circulated. It's the alumni magazine for the University of Maine.
The article by King is titled, "Reflections of a campus activist." The prologue discusses King's tenure as a student at The University of Maine, and a special October 3 (2001) panel he participated in. The reason for the focus was the publication of King's novel (novel's) hearts in Atlantis.
The article isn't by King so much as it is quotes from his discussion on the panel.
King discussed the protest and his involvement. The first protest he remembers is a boycott of grapes sold at supermarkets in the Bangor area. From there, he relates that he became part of the anti-war movement.
King said, "When I came on campus in 1966, I lived in Gannett Hall and my roommate was Harold Crosby of Whiting, Maine. he knew what he wanted to do (become a dentist),he did it and is doing it today. Harold is in Harts in Atlantis. By January 1967, he had decided that we were wrong to be in Vietnam. To this day, I am mad that Harold beat me to that realization."
King also relates that "There was a tremendous amount of excitement about being involved with the anti-war protests."
I liked this discussion about a visit home form college:
"I came home from college and one of my aunts from Massachusetts was up visiting. I was in the kitchen and my mother and aunt were in the living room. I heard my aunt say to my mother, 'Why don't you tell him to cut his hair or get the hell out? he looks like a girl and he's talking all this stuff about the government.' My mother said, 'I don't agree with him but he's doing what he believes is right, and he's now old enough to think for himself.' My eyes filled with tears and I had to leave the room. I didn't want her to know I had over heard that and she never spoke of it again."
My mother died of cancer in1974. In late 1973when it was clear that she was never going to get better, she was in bed and she grabbed me and pulled me down and said, 'I want to tell you something before I go. You have to promise not to tell your bother.' I said OK, and she said, 'I voted for McGovern."
King reflected that looking back, he's not always a big fan of his generation. "I think the impact of the activism can be overrated." He notes that a lot of people who were young and involved in activism later became Reagan voters. He feels his generation quit a little too early, that they could have (and should have) pushed for more.
In a sidebar, there is a description of Hearts in Atlantis. It says:
Every year for the past decade, a class book has united University of Maine students and faculty in a common dialogue about literature and contemporary issues.
This year's class book has done that and much more. The book, Hearts in Atlantis, is written by UMaine alumnus, Stephen King. It is composed of three short stories and two novellas, one of which relates the experiences of a first year student at The University of Maine in 1966.
Hearts in Atlantis, a movie starring Anthony Hopkins that is based on King's book, was released early this fall.
Some of the issues raised in the book assumed even greater importance for the readers following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Students are drawing parallels between their reactions to the terrorist threats and how the college age characters in King's book cope with the Vietnam War.
Hearts in Atlantis is a teaching tool in a number of UMaine classes this academic year, including the English course "The Class Book: Stephen King and the 1960's," in which students study the Vietnam War era and how it subsequently shaped America.
This is the 10th year UMaine has incorporated a class book into its curricula.
For many years, the class book was required reading by first year students in English 101 classes. Topics raised by the volumes were the focus of campus lectures and panel discussions. In recent years, UMaine's Division of Lifelong Learning has offered non-credit discussion classes and Web-based courses focused on the class book.
UMaine's first class book was Hen's Teeth and Horses Toes, by Stephen Jay Gould. All but one of the class book authors have come to campus to lecture, effectively linking the writers with their readers.
Beijing censors SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION searches
The China Post reports that Chinese censors have begun to block search terms related to blind activist Chen Guangcheng. You can't search for his name. . . and they have also deemed the search term "Shawshank Redemption" to be unacceptable! Search words such as: "Shawshank" "blind person" and "embassy" were all blocked.
Why block "Shawshank"? Because Chen Guangcheng case has been compared to the Shawshank Redemption.
The China Post reports:
After completing a four-year jail sentence in September 2010, he and his family were put under what Chen has called “illegal” house arrest at their home in Shandong province.
Some Web users had used the Chinese characters for “Shawshank” to refer to the case.
“The Shawshank Redemption” was a 1994 film based on a novella by U.S. author Stephen King, about a convict's escape from an American prison.
King: TAX ME!
Stephen King has an article in the Daily Beast, "Stephen King: Tax Me, for F@%&’s Sake!" (HERE)
Does that title look angry? Yeah, he's pretty wound up here.
King points out that most rich do not really give much of their income to charity. King writes,"My wife and I give away roughly $4 million a year to libraries, local fire departments that need updated lifesaving equipment (Jaws of Life tools are always a popular request), schools, and a scattering of organizations that underwrite the arts. Warren Buffett does the same; so does Bill Gates; so does Steven Spielberg; so do the Koch brothers; so did the late Steve Jobs. All fine as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough."
King says that giving to charity is not enough because it overlooks things like the Gulf spill or the need for improved education in Mississippi and Alabama. King also addresses the argument that money saved by the rich results in jobs.
King writes,
Does that title look angry? Yeah, he's pretty wound up here.
King points out that most rich do not really give much of their income to charity. King writes,"My wife and I give away roughly $4 million a year to libraries, local fire departments that need updated lifesaving equipment (Jaws of Life tools are always a popular request), schools, and a scattering of organizations that underwrite the arts. Warren Buffett does the same; so does Bill Gates; so does Steven Spielberg; so do the Koch brothers; so did the late Steve Jobs. All fine as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough."
King says that giving to charity is not enough because it overlooks things like the Gulf spill or the need for improved education in Mississippi and Alabama. King also addresses the argument that money saved by the rich results in jobs.
King writes,
"I have a total payroll of about 60 people, most of them working for the two radio stations I own in Bangor, Maine. If I hit the movie jackpot—as I have, from time to time—and own a piece of a film that grosses $200 million, what am I going to do with it? Buy another radio station? I don’t think so, since I’m losing my shirt on the ones I own already. But suppose I did, and hired on an additional dozen folks. Good for them. Whoopee-ding for the rest of the economy."While I enjoy Kings points and think he makes sharp arguments, I think he loses ground by being personal and derogatory. Taking digs at Chris Christie's weight cheapens his arguments and turns politics into -- literally -- a food fight; but food fights are fun to watch.
11.22.63 Journal #3: Stephen King Slapped My Face
Stephen King slapped my face a few days ago. It hurt a lot.
There I was, happily bopping through the late 1950's with Mr. King narrating away at about 80 miles an hour. I'm loving 11.22.63, and the blast from the past is a joy. Root beer, short hair, ties -- we'd all want to go back, right? Even the cars are something to long for. And about the time King has you totally off guard, thinking sentimentally about a by-gone era. . . WHAM! King gives a big, open handed slap to the face. Not a girly slap; a hard, "WAKE UP, FOOL!" slap.
I grew up in the 80's -- in California. I was a white in a mostly black high school. Race relations could be tense at times. My senior year was the Rodney King riots, and it seemed like everything erupted in the Los Angeles area. But my best friend was black, and somehow we navigated through some rough waters. There was bad stuff going on around us, but for the most part we came out untouched. My mom has said she was glad for my friend, because it protected me from bitterness.
Any tension in 1980's California cannot compare to what was happening in 1959.
As we bop happily along through the novel, King describes a stop at a gas station. There's a men's and women's restroom, and then a sign for blacks with an arrow. Follow the arrow around the corner, and you'll discover there are no indoor restrooms for blacks. I'll not share the exact nature of the indignity, King does it better than I can -- but it made me angry. Partly because it's not the world I come from. And partly because it IS the world I come from! Our entire nation has been touched by generations of racism. When King describes the bathroom situation at the gas station, it evokes a righteous rage. "That is SO WRONG!"
We exist in boxes; our eyes covered. Racism is a thing of the past, it doesn't affect us -- right? But when I felt that sudden anger at someone being forced to go to the bathroom outside, some things started to make sense. The anger in the students around me as I grew up. It didn't make sense at the time. Why were they angry -- things were better for them than they had been for the last generation, right? But the arm of injustice has a long reach.
Injustice, racism, hate can't be cut off in just one generation. We live with the scars.
Out culture and teachers have tried to slap us, but usually it didn't sting as bad as it needed to. Movies like "Driving Miss. Daisy" are painful, but sweet. King doesn't give any sweet to his open handed smack. I remember reading Native Son in high school about a black man who accidentally killed a white girl, burned her body, and went to the electric chair. That novel provoked the desired uncomfortable discussions in English class, but it did not deliver the sudden, unexpected, slap that 11/22/63 gave me. Even movies that drive the point home, like The Help, don't really slap you. Because you see it coming! But King doesn't announce he's gong to slap your face. Of course, everyone should know at some point he's going to edge up on racism -- but when he catches you off guard and causes emotions to rush, it's both painful and a joy.
Baptist:
King sometimes shows us things from our own culture we don't like so much. The angry, cussing, racist Baptist landlord we encounter in Dallas disgusted me. That's outside my experience with Baptist (for the most part. Anyone who has done ministry for long has encountered some pretty angry people). I go to a racially mixed church (whites, blacks, Hispanics Asians). Baptist would be quick to point out that Dr. King was a Baptist, as were many civil rights leaders. Billy Graham, who publicly took a stand against racism by personally removing the ropes that separated whites and blacks in his meetings was a Baptist. But that's not the whole story, is it?
I don't like the cussing, angry, nasty racist landlord being a Baptist. I would rather focus on the positives! The MLK's, the Graham's and so on. For a moment I found myself frustrated with King's writing. It seems he often chooses the Baptist to be the racist (Reverend Rose in Needful things is an example -- only he hated Catholics). And at least with rose, the character is not well developed. He just hates. But in 11.22.63, things feel a little more real. These feel like people you might actually meet somewhere. Not just a caricature -- but a true step back in history. And if I could go back in time, I'd like to take a swing at that landlord!
Thank You
So I'd thank King for the slap in the face. Thank him for making it hurt. For stirring emotions I've actually never felt; not very deeply. Because I don't live in a culture where racism is so openly practiced, but we do live with the scars. But people respond to one another based on their scars, and we don't always understand why they act the way they do.
There I was, happily bopping through the late 1950's with Mr. King narrating away at about 80 miles an hour. I'm loving 11.22.63, and the blast from the past is a joy. Root beer, short hair, ties -- we'd all want to go back, right? Even the cars are something to long for. And about the time King has you totally off guard, thinking sentimentally about a by-gone era. . . WHAM! King gives a big, open handed slap to the face. Not a girly slap; a hard, "WAKE UP, FOOL!" slap.
I grew up in the 80's -- in California. I was a white in a mostly black high school. Race relations could be tense at times. My senior year was the Rodney King riots, and it seemed like everything erupted in the Los Angeles area. But my best friend was black, and somehow we navigated through some rough waters. There was bad stuff going on around us, but for the most part we came out untouched. My mom has said she was glad for my friend, because it protected me from bitterness.
Any tension in 1980's California cannot compare to what was happening in 1959.
As we bop happily along through the novel, King describes a stop at a gas station. There's a men's and women's restroom, and then a sign for blacks with an arrow. Follow the arrow around the corner, and you'll discover there are no indoor restrooms for blacks. I'll not share the exact nature of the indignity, King does it better than I can -- but it made me angry. Partly because it's not the world I come from. And partly because it IS the world I come from! Our entire nation has been touched by generations of racism. When King describes the bathroom situation at the gas station, it evokes a righteous rage. "That is SO WRONG!"
We exist in boxes; our eyes covered. Racism is a thing of the past, it doesn't affect us -- right? But when I felt that sudden anger at someone being forced to go to the bathroom outside, some things started to make sense. The anger in the students around me as I grew up. It didn't make sense at the time. Why were they angry -- things were better for them than they had been for the last generation, right? But the arm of injustice has a long reach.
Injustice, racism, hate can't be cut off in just one generation. We live with the scars.
Out culture and teachers have tried to slap us, but usually it didn't sting as bad as it needed to. Movies like "Driving Miss. Daisy" are painful, but sweet. King doesn't give any sweet to his open handed smack. I remember reading Native Son in high school about a black man who accidentally killed a white girl, burned her body, and went to the electric chair. That novel provoked the desired uncomfortable discussions in English class, but it did not deliver the sudden, unexpected, slap that 11/22/63 gave me. Even movies that drive the point home, like The Help, don't really slap you. Because you see it coming! But King doesn't announce he's gong to slap your face. Of course, everyone should know at some point he's going to edge up on racism -- but when he catches you off guard and causes emotions to rush, it's both painful and a joy.
Baptist:
King sometimes shows us things from our own culture we don't like so much. The angry, cussing, racist Baptist landlord we encounter in Dallas disgusted me. That's outside my experience with Baptist (for the most part. Anyone who has done ministry for long has encountered some pretty angry people). I go to a racially mixed church (whites, blacks, Hispanics Asians). Baptist would be quick to point out that Dr. King was a Baptist, as were many civil rights leaders. Billy Graham, who publicly took a stand against racism by personally removing the ropes that separated whites and blacks in his meetings was a Baptist. But that's not the whole story, is it?
I don't like the cussing, angry, nasty racist landlord being a Baptist. I would rather focus on the positives! The MLK's, the Graham's and so on. For a moment I found myself frustrated with King's writing. It seems he often chooses the Baptist to be the racist (Reverend Rose in Needful things is an example -- only he hated Catholics). And at least with rose, the character is not well developed. He just hates. But in 11.22.63, things feel a little more real. These feel like people you might actually meet somewhere. Not just a caricature -- but a true step back in history. And if I could go back in time, I'd like to take a swing at that landlord!
Thank You
So I'd thank King for the slap in the face. Thank him for making it hurt. For stirring emotions I've actually never felt; not very deeply. Because I don't live in a culture where racism is so openly practiced, but we do live with the scars. But people respond to one another based on their scars, and we don't always understand why they act the way they do.
A Culture Of King
With a sequel to The Shining set to appear almost 34 years after the original was released, it is worth asking if there is still an interest in the original book. Actually, if any King book has entered the American cultural psyche, it's The Shining!
Notice how often things are compared to The Shining. For instance, get this recent line from an article titled "Meal Delivery Brings Food, Company To Shut In"
Of course, the books popularity is deeply linked to the Kubrick film. But there's more to it than just the film! America's love the story itself. That's why they still flock to special tours at the Stanley Hotel. (Check out this article, titled Ghost Hunt At The Stanley Hotel.) I mean, if they were just drawn to the movie, there would be no interest int he hotel, since the movie did not use it as a shooting location. The Stanley is connected to the book! The novel itself has become an American classic.
The Simpsons have famously spoofed King more than once. One my favorites was when they poked fun at The Shining in The Shinning.
Sometimes a book becomes more than a book. In fact, people who have never read the book are familiar with themes, characters or lines from the book. The story becomes a shared experience. what is it about The Shining that so deeply touches Americans?
Other King books that are part of our collective experience:
1. Carrie.
2. Cujo. Just the name has entered American vocabulary to mean "Crazy Mean Evil Demon Possessed Dog."
3. The Stand.
Another King book to enter the collective American culture is The Stand. Get his opener by Shane McGlaun about scientifically created bird flu:
If this sounds a bit like something out of a horror novel, it’s because this sounds a lot like what starts the evens of the horror classic from Stephen King called The Stand. Apparently, researchers working on bird flu have created a strain of the bird flu virus that is lethal and easily spread through the air. Some fear that the mutated strain might be used as a bio weapon. (article Here)
In Politics:
Speaking of cultural references, King is sometimes referenced simply because he is so well known. The Bangor Daily News recently published an opinion article by Carroll Conley, arguing against gambling expansion. (article here) She launches her article by discussing King's "Storm Of The Century" and how the town sold their souls.
Get this, after giving several paragraphs to this analogy, she then writes, "Now, I’ve not read a lot of King. . ." ! What? She's not read much King, but she's building this entire article based on Storm Of The Century. Why? Not because she's a Stephen King fan, but because King is a common point of reference. Even Conley, the executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, thinks King is safe common ground. So she uses a parable from King. . . because she can't think of any Biblical analogies where people sell out and lose their soul! Like, maybe, the entire system of anti-Christ! But if she said that, she would sound like a religious weirdo. So the better bet was to use the parable from the world of Stephen King. Or, put another way: You sound cray if you say "the devil is in this!" But not so crazy if you say, "this is a lot like a Stephen King story." But what's in the Stephen King story? The devil! (did you track with all that?)
Notice how often things are compared to The Shining. For instance, get this recent line from an article titled "Meal Delivery Brings Food, Company To Shut In"
The local Smart & Final with its aisles and aisles of food, shopping carts and shoppers holds for her the kind of terror offered up by the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King's "The Shining."Now, what does an article about food to shut ins have to do with The Shining? It's not exactly the most natural connection! But the book is so deeply embedded in our thinking that the author could not help but use it as a hook for her story.
Of course, the books popularity is deeply linked to the Kubrick film. But there's more to it than just the film! America's love the story itself. That's why they still flock to special tours at the Stanley Hotel. (Check out this article, titled Ghost Hunt At The Stanley Hotel.) I mean, if they were just drawn to the movie, there would be no interest int he hotel, since the movie did not use it as a shooting location. The Stanley is connected to the book! The novel itself has become an American classic.
The Simpsons have famously spoofed King more than once. One my favorites was when they poked fun at The Shining in The Shinning.
Sometimes a book becomes more than a book. In fact, people who have never read the book are familiar with themes, characters or lines from the book. The story becomes a shared experience. what is it about The Shining that so deeply touches Americans?
Other King books that are part of our collective experience:
1. Carrie.
2. Cujo. Just the name has entered American vocabulary to mean "Crazy Mean Evil Demon Possessed Dog."
3. The Stand.
Another King book to enter the collective American culture is The Stand. Get his opener by Shane McGlaun about scientifically created bird flu:
If this sounds a bit like something out of a horror novel, it’s because this sounds a lot like what starts the evens of the horror classic from Stephen King called The Stand. Apparently, researchers working on bird flu have created a strain of the bird flu virus that is lethal and easily spread through the air. Some fear that the mutated strain might be used as a bio weapon. (article Here)
In Politics:
Speaking of cultural references, King is sometimes referenced simply because he is so well known. The Bangor Daily News recently published an opinion article by Carroll Conley, arguing against gambling expansion. (article here) She launches her article by discussing King's "Storm Of The Century" and how the town sold their souls.
Get this, after giving several paragraphs to this analogy, she then writes, "Now, I’ve not read a lot of King. . ." ! What? She's not read much King, but she's building this entire article based on Storm Of The Century. Why? Not because she's a Stephen King fan, but because King is a common point of reference. Even Conley, the executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, thinks King is safe common ground. So she uses a parable from King. . . because she can't think of any Biblical analogies where people sell out and lose their soul! Like, maybe, the entire system of anti-Christ! But if she said that, she would sound like a religious weirdo. So the better bet was to use the parable from the world of Stephen King. Or, put another way: You sound cray if you say "the devil is in this!" But not so crazy if you say, "this is a lot like a Stephen King story." But what's in the Stephen King story? The devil! (did you track with all that?)
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