In light of the recent Oscars, 2010.

I have found an interesting article discussing the existance of racism, inequality and imperialism in highly successful motion pictures. The author argues that while it is great to shed light on issues that would otherwise go unseen, they are once again told through the middle-class man's story.

The state of Exception

 Law without Law: the State of Exception

       The October Crisis (1970) rattled the bones of many Canadians. The war measures act was put into place, allowing police officers to arrest without warrant. Martial law was also put into place, allowing the Canadian Military to temporarily rule the country. What is interesting is the general public’s willingness to cooperate, despite the fact that they themselves could possibly be stripped of their rights
(Clément, 2008). After the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration administered similar measures to that of the War Measures Act, which exist almost ten years after it’s installment; Guantanamo Bay for example detains international prisoners, providing them with little knowledge as to the crime they have (or have not) committed ( Irons, 2009). In both cases, it is easy to see the potential for human rights violations by those in power. Knowing this, why is it that the public so freely gives its consent? As Antonio Gramsci (1971) suggests, the key to submission is found in the "spontaneous consent" of the masses; the Intellectual is used by the dominant group as a medium to render support of the masses (Gramsci, 1971).