I was wandering the web today and came across this quote from ... "The "Transformers" bombshell-cum-uninhibited
philosophizer"
Megan Fox. I didn't bother with the first Transformers movie--I had to step on Transformers when they were the height of the toy craze in the 80s, so am exempt from anything to do with them for the rest of my life--and so am not terribly familiar with who she is, what she looks like, or her acting abilities.
She does very little to entice me when she says things like this: "... also contemplates -- reluctantly -- what she would say to
Megatron to keep him from destroying the world. "I'd barter with him,"
she muses to the July issue Total Film UK, "and say instead of the
entire planet, can you just take out all of the white trash, hillbilly,
anti-gay, super bible-beating people in Middle America."
Just so you all know, by all Ms Fox says, I am White Trash. I have lived in a trailer when they were trailers, not mobile homes. I did so when I was a kid and then again when I was an adult. I'm not really a Hillbilly, as I have never even set foot in the Appalachians, but I do qualify as a Redneck and the two are fairly interchangeable in this context. By what the media tells me, I am anti-gay. Meaning, if you do not support and celebrate the Gay lifestyle, you are anti. I dont' think it's true, but, hey, who am I to argue with my cultural betters? And, I'm sure Ms Fox would consider me a super Bible-beater as I not only attend church weekly, but I also believe that the Bible is the word of God and true. *gasp*
Oh, I have also lived in Middle America. Missouri to be exact. Though, we slipped the fence about 20 years ago and made it to the bluer-than-blue state of Oregon. (And believe me, I am not happy about it.)
I told my husband about this comment and he laughed. That's when he pointed out we live in a blue state so all the "bad" folk aren't just in Middle America. I made a crack about Ms Fox no doubt lives in a trendy, politically enlightened part of L. A.. I really had to laugh when he pointed out the even Jed Clampett lived in Beverly Hills.
We are everywhere, Ms Fox. There are likely some WTHAGSBTs in your zip code.
And the question was asked on another blog, why is the term White Trash acceptable in this day of political correctness? I mean being derisive about someone's heritage is verboten, no? Maybe it's okay for the same reason Liberal David Letterman can crack funny about a baseball player 'impregnating" one of Conservative Sarah Palin's daughters.
Hypocrisy perhaps?
Take care--Susan Kaye
Comments (7)
Susan,
My copy of Entertainment Weekly came on Wednesday and Megan Fox was on the cover. The tagline was "I have a mouth and I'm not afraid to use it". She did use it and not very well, I thought. I was actually sorry for her. I think, because of her looks she'll be fine in Hollywood, but she's got a lot to learn about making movies and promoting them. To her credit, she admitted this herself. The quote you read was more of the same.
While I consider myself a one of the "bad" blue people (yes, I live in CA, and grew up in DC), I can understand your feelings at her comments. But let's first consider the source and save your frustration for someone who really matters and has the power to make a difference. I felt her comments reflected what I consider trash, someone who puts themselves above others by putting others and their views down. And I have been to the Appalachians, it's not where you come from, but what you do with what you've got. There's nothing wrong with a trailer/mobile home, it's just a house and probably larger than some apartments in Manhattan. And there is nothing wrong with having a strong faith in something or someone. Most of our wars have been fought over religion and ideology, so it's pretty important to most of the earth's inhabitants, not just reds and blues.
It's unfortunate that Ms. Fox didn't have the insight to curb her words, but she is young and someone asked her what she thought about several subjects. I think I was more saddened that she got you so upset. Because this is your blog, you most certainly have the right to vent, no question. But when we rise to the bait of others, we give them power and Megan Fox doesn't deserve any of your power. You are so much more than a hillybilly, redneck, "bad" red person and those of us that read you know that. What you carry in your suitcase of life has made you who you are. There should be no reason to be ashamed or defensive about it. I expect you will still take my money for your books, even though I am a "bad" blue, urban, well-educated, agnostic, Californian. And I will love reading them, because it's about what you bring to the table that interests me. In Jane Austen we have been in agreement. Who knows, maybe Megan loves Jane too. Or maybe not.
Keep doing what you're doing as only you can! You do it so well!
@Pooglegirl14 - Thank you for your kind words about my writing. Other than my family, it's the thing I treasure most. And yes, I will take your money. I work hard to create interesting stories, and I'm sure you work hard to earn your daily bread. That being the case, if you choose to trade your time and dollars for my time and talent, we have a deal. The use of the word "bad" had to do more with Ms Fox's view of my faith than anything political.
As for my being ashamed of any aspect of my life, hell no! (Pardon me any of you who think this a vain utterance.) I am likely one of the most confident, though ill-educated women you will ever find. I don't know you or in what discipline in which you are educated, but I will stack my ability to think and get through life with dignity and honor against most higher degrees and their holders. When you read Frederick and enjoy some of his insights, you are reading my life clothed in male, Regency garb.
As for my rant, it was less rising to the bait, than it was a writing exercise. I tend to wander off-topic and these little jaunts in thought make me focus. The likes of modern Hollywood aren't deep and abiding enough to get my blood pressure up too much. My real life is too full: my husband is in the midst of very expensive tests to determine the health of his heart. My son is unemployed, and other family situations are ... in flux. I have few things aside from my faith in God, my family's love, and my writing to keep me from running screaming into traffic.
Thanks again for commenting. Oh, I am a Californian by birth, something I don't mention often here in Oregon. For all the PCism, they don't care for Calis.
Take care--Sue
You go, girl!
We have been there on both health and job fronts and it's simply not fun.I wish your family the very best of luck and strength. While I'm in-between religions, I do have faith in a higher being and I know the power of prayer is an amazing thing. Hang in there! We are all with you.
Did you know that Kristen Stewart got her hair cut? And from the pictures, I'd say it was a most disastrous attempt at a mullet. And did you know that Adam Lambert is actually homosexual? It would appear so. At least that's what you see if you log onto Yahoo today. Point being that those two items of "news" are extremely important to all of the Megan Foxes of this world. I could live my life quite comfortably without ever having heard of Kristen Stewart, Adam Lambert, or Megan Fox. I would not, however, want to live one moment of my life without Jesus Christ in it. That alone makes me anathema to the Hollywood crowd and their wannabees. And, you know, that's ok with me. I don't find my value or worth in their estimations. I live my life to make a difference in the lives of those around me. I don't expect or wait for the government to fund another African initiative -- I give my money to drill wells in African communities (hard-earned money it is, too.) I support relief missions around the world. I wonder how much Megan Fox has given to relieve suffering in this world. Every true Christian that I know sees himself as God's hands and feet on this planet, not as some disapproving arbiter of morality. That we leave to God. And yet, the older I get and the more I surrender to Him, the more I see things from the Scriptural vantage that we who love Him know to be His. The easier it is for me to see the folly of long-held assumptions and to pull myself away from all those who would lead me away from Him. But then that's another story. I will tease you with that one, much like you tease me with the story you are writing now. Have a wonderful weekend, Susan. Please let us know how your husband is doing.
typical, but what else can we expect from hollywood? i have a feeling megan fox will be "so yesterday," sooner than she thinks.
your husband's comment about jed clampett made me laugh out loud. how is he doing, by the way?
p.s. - david letterman is so pathetic. i have never found him to be funny.
Susan,
Haven't heard from you (bogwise) since your husband's pain in the chest. I hope you are doing well and that the rest of your family is healthy.
Coming up on a month for your lovely granddaughter so the true smiles should be showing up soon--I love the practice gas smiles myself.--I hope she is bringing you and your daughter joy in this stressful time.
I live in Massachusetts and our weather has been so rainy and cloudy in the last three weeks that I feel as though I've moved to your side of the USA.
I truly hope you are doing well or at least well enough--
Still in my thoughts,
Another Sue