I've been a little negative lately, so I wanted to share a quick conversation with my parents and my friend Chris that made me laugh:
Me (to Chris): Have you seen Cowboys and Aliens yet? What did you think?
Chris: It was ok.
Me: There are Indians in it right? Am I going to be offended?
Dad: I, personally, was incredibly offended by the stereotypical portrayals of the aliens. Don't they know there are hundreds of different Alien groups? and that only a small number of them even look like that? Those images just continue to teach people there is only one way that aliens look.
Chris: He's right. Not all aliens have goopy hands that come out of their stomachs. How stereotypical.
Mom: And with all the Alien actors out there, why couldn't they find some real Aliens to play the parts? Why did they have to use all non-Alien actors? That really needs to change.
It was pretty hilarious hearing my broken record about portrayals of Natives in Hollywood being repeated back to me. I take it as a victory that my message has at least gotten through to my parents and close friends...and I realize it's important to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes too. :)