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I am now a Knicks fan. I had forgotten how the sport can be fun to watch, and I want to join my fellow New Yorkers in the spirit. The city was so united and full of joy— the excitement was incredible. Trump inexplicitly decided to show up (what a self-serving jerk) for game 3, got roundly booed and proceeded to fall asleep. The Knicks lost that night. The entire city blamed Trump for the loss, the only game the Knicks failed to win in the five games…. so I have to admit it’s probably true that Trump was the cuplrit. That united the city as well, hating Trump as we do.
They way the playoffs caught the world’s attention was great, it made me proud. I even saw someone on social media wearing a t-shirt that read, “Make American New York.” New York City represents a very concentrated example of what our country is supposed to be. The city is welcoming of all races, genders, ethnicities, skin colors, religions— which is how the rest of the US should be.
Thanks for letting me share my enthusiasm. I am not a sports person, but at times a sporting event can tell us a lot about how to move forward in life, how to live well. The New York athletes played with dignity and class against a team that used violence. The moment that stood out to me what when we won in game 4 after the Trump loss: in the final seconds, two of our players helped each other score one basket to win the game, and propel us to win the championship the next game. That’s what its about, teamwork and coming back, with help from others. And playing nice.
Now some news.
Trump says Iran and the US have reached a deal. We shall see.
Trump calls Isreali Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu “A very difficult guy.” Ya think? Trump also claims that he has “remade the Middle East forever.” Trump is attempting to make American the “protector” in the region…which sounds magnanimous, except he wants to do it for profit. Very Trumpian. The NY Times writes that this approach would “reject the post-World War II American tradition, in which the United States used its power to assure global peace and prosperity.”
As I read about these negotiations, it is very hard to understand what is real and not real. We have learned that Trump’s statements are never ever to be taken as fact-based. He is a supreme manipulator, and while he is not alone among politicians in this ability, he does it with abandon. He makes statements to the press and to social media that are like a sinister performance, wherein the outcome is to only benefit himself, either in his self image or in monetary gain. Or to boost his ego. Trump turned 80 the other day and he is lazar focused on his legacy.
I hesitate to talk about the UFC birthday party which Trump threw himself on the White House lawn last night, we have all heard about it. I will say just that is was groteque. One of the participants publicly made a crude remark about Former First Lady Michele Obama. The whole event was an expensive (military jet flyover???) showcase of toxic masculinity; the insult towards Ms. Obama only underscored the hatred towards women that Trump harbors. He feels threatened by strong women, most specifically strong Black women. If you look at the women he has around him (and many who were fired), they all have a specific look that usually involes short dresses, botox, fillers, long hair and gobs of makeup. They exist in his orbit only to (supposedly) make him look like a real man, whatever that is.
Speaking of grotesque, the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center was in the dark of night and done under a tarp. What a coward. Apparently, his name is indeed finally gone; as to whether the tarp remains, I don’t know. He probably wants to keep the tarp up until the media is not interested anymore….which will never be the case.
This past weekend, we had two wonderful screenings of Women Laughing. First at the Provincetown International Film Festival, and then at DC/DOX in Washington DC. I also saw some great films: I recommend American Doctor, Bucks Harbor, Barbara Forever, Free Joan Little, Buckskin.
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As always, let me know if you would like a screening of Women Laughing at your library, college, museum, university, private gathering. We are happy to help make that happen, and I can join in person or via zoom. You can email/DM me, or go to this page on KINEMA to find out more. Spread the word—and we now have and Etsy shop with merch to help us finance the film’s journey out into the world. In the current documentary landscape, it takes a village.
Thanks for being here, you guys are great, and I so appreciate you being here. See you tomorrow. Have a great start to your week.