[Colette31999]

Why is it that everything from European culture (i.e. folklore, history, literature, language) seems to be considered fair game for any American who wants to create their own version of it, while Americans insist that cultures of other groups be protected and kept exclusive? I’m talking about things like the recent movies The Three Musketeers, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Man in the Iron Mask, all made with no regard for the original literature, true history or original culture; Doctor Doolittle made with Eddie Murphy; and versions of European folk stories and legends filmed or illustrated with multi-cultural characters, etc.
Original Code R395. Click here to see responses from the original archives. Click “to respond” below to reply.

User Detail :  

Name : Colette31999, Gender : F, City : Seymour, State : WI, Country : United States, 

[Angela T.]

To Zobe La Mouche (Original Archives): Dumas was of African descent. Check out the link http://24.1.81.71/dumas/biographie.asp.

To Colette: Perhaps one reason people are freer with their interpretations of European/White American literature comes from a view that art from these cultures is universal (it speaks to us all), and thus open to interpretations beyond those traditionally associated with the work. Conversely, literature by non-Europeans is often seen as local, that is, specific to the group in question, and thus not generalizable to other contexts. Whether this indicates greater or lesser respect for the culture of Native Americans, African Americans, etc. is an open question.

User Detail :  

Name : Angela T., Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Age : 34, City : Newark, State : NJ, Country : United States, 

[bonnie-D]

re discussion of Alexander Dumas’ ethnic background, please see recent article about his recent inclusion alongside his peers … http://www.washtimes.com/books/20021208-5529793.htm

User Detail :  

Name : bonnie-D, City : seattle, State : WA, Country : United States, 

[Author]

Posts