[lbo-talk] Re: Million Dollar Baby gets disability dead wrong

[Marta Russell]

>Brian wrote:
>It is also interesting that a film about a singer with
>diabilities (in this case blindness and drug-addiction)
>who changed the music business and is regarded as
>one of the greatest entertainers of all time has been
>ingnored in this flap over disability rights.
>
>But I forgot.  "Ray" is about a diabled BLACK man.
>Can't go praising that film can we now.
>
>Brian Dauth
>Queer Buddhist Resister
>

I was rooting for Ray because I saw there was a healthy choice the 
Academy could have made.  If it had given to Ray what it gave to 
Eastwood, some hope would be affirmed for Hollywood.  Alas, it was 
not to be.  Hollywood prefers to indulge itself -- oh the tears that 
must have been flowing when Swank does her exit scene.  They love to 
see a disabled character display the characteristics that act out 
their prejudices.  If M$B had not had the euthanasia moment, I 
believe Ray would have won.  Too bad Eastwood knew how to use his bag 
of tricks.

What if Ray had been given a lethal dose in his early life?  No 
"Georgia" or the other magnificent songs he wrote would have reached 
our ears.
Marta

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