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I believe my journal reflects much of my personality and how diverse I can be in my consumption of media. I deliberately picked three different sets of media to reflect on not only to challenge myself, but to see if I could really dissect what I watch and if it reflects my values. The extra part of it, which was graded and challenging, was connecting it to the coursework. I believe I did that to the best of my ability. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells an amazing story of brotherhood, interacting with other cultures, and dealing with traumatic experiences. These are things that I can relate to. Blood In, Blood Out was appealing to me growing up because for once it was one of the few movies by Hollywood that depicts a Chicano experience in the United States. Pat McAfee is a sports commentator who appeals to me because the show feels like a bunch of friends hanging out, instead of constant debate. Each media is very different entirely, and yet there are still lessons that can be pulled from them whether morally right or wrong. I enjoyed this project because it allowed me to reflect on why they attract me so much.

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Analysis of Pat McAfee.

Pat McAfee’s rise in sports media is one that does not often happen to former players. Pat McAfee played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2016 as a punter. McAfee started off with Barstool Sports, and eventually became popular enough to branch out of the company a year later. Eventually, he would create his own podcast that would talk about sports, entertainment, and culture. McAfee is different from typical sports shows as it has more genuine conversation between the guests and the hosts, compared to the sports debate template that is often on television. McAfee works in multiple areas of the sports world such as getting his show on ESPN, becoming a WWE commentator, and an analyst on College Football Gameday.

But what makes McAfee so special? McAfee is very vocal on very real-life social issues. During the height of the Black Lives Matters movement, Pat McAfee shared his thoughts on the George Floyd situation instead of avoiding the conversation which was considered sensitive in the sports media world.

McAfee’s guests are very diverse and come from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. In a male dominated media, McAfee also includes female guests in the sports world and recognizes them for their contribution to sports. His diverse work allows for a more inclusive coverage, and with it being a digital platform, it opens his content for more viewers. Despite not being an activist such as Judy Baca, his influence on the sports world has caused a different approach to how sports media covers athletes. Judy Baca's work highlighted the Chicana / o experience with her work and focused on the Chicana / o feminism. Pat McAfee might be a white man, who is in the spotlight in a male dominated field, but he understands this privilege. He uses this privilege to bring attention to people in the sports world who are not often covered, or even misrepresented. One of the most popular segments on the show is "Feel the Beat", in which McAfee interviews sports writers from around local areas associated with their sports teams. This is a diverse approach and promotion from McAfee to include other members of the sports world who are not typically recognized. McAfee's work might not directly relate to contributing to racial or ethnic identity, but his platform does open up this conversation and contributes to diversity and representation in sports media. Much like Baca, who's work centered around the community centered art projects, McAfee involves the local population to contribute to his show. Baca and McAfee are very different people in different fields, but both contribute to the discussion of social issues through media and art.

Skip to 20:08 for the following video.

McAfee also often shares his own personal struggles and sheds light on the personal challenges that athletes experience. His different approach and straying away from debating, and more engaging into conversations which are unscripted and honest create a platform that treats athletes as people and not as products.

One of the best moments on the Pat McAfee show is his reaction to Simon Biles pulling out of Olympic competition. Instead of criticizing her, McAfee supported her decision and empathized with her choice as he understood that being an athlete comes with an immense amount of pressure.

Below is a different coverage of the same incident on the Ben Maller Show. You can see the clear difference on how this incidence was covered.

McAfee is not without controversy, as he recently stirred controversy by calling Caitlin Clark a “white bitch”. Even if McAfee did not mean it to be demeaning, McAfee did issue an apology and took accountability for the actions that happened on his show. McAfee is not for everyone, but he is himself. The switch from entertainment to discussing real life issues while keeping his audience engaged are one of the reasons he is one of the most prominent members in sports media today.

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Analysis of Blood In, Blood Out.

Blood In, Blood Out (1993) is a film that is based on three Chicano men growing up in Los Angeles. Initially, we are introduced to Miklo who wants to join the gang “Vatos Locos”, which his cousin Paco is a part of. Miklo is denied entry at first due to his lighter skin, however, he proves himself by antagonizing a rival gang. This causes the rival gang to retaliate and attack Cruz, in which during the attack they severely damage his back. Following some major violence that ensues, Miklo is sent to prison, Paco enlists in the Marines, and Paco becomes an artist that deals with drug addiction. The story dives into themes such as identity, family, racism, and systemic issues.

Much likes the performance art that is performed during Couple in a Cage and Temple of Confessions, the film emphasized on the stereotypes that Mexicans are often portrayed in. The film, however, explores how these issues occur, and just how complex they can be. For example, Miklo is a half-white, half-Mexican who constantly must prove himself to be Mexican because of his skin color. He is constantly challenged, and the film highlights how even though he is from a similar background as his Chicano peers, he must prove that he is Mexican.

Cruz is also a very interesting character who proves himself to be a talented artist but is dealing with a drug addiction due to the back injury he suffered. Paco, who eventually moves into law enforcement, must deal with the expectations of his family due to his prior gang connections. Even though Paco wishes to abandon his past and form a new identity, he is constantly reminded how his previous connections are a part of him.

Despite the film focusing on Chicano gang culture, it opens up the experience of a Chicano that live in the barrio, deals with personal issues, or even being inside of the prison system.

Watching a film itself is an immersive experience, and by watching the characters journey throughout the film, it feels like one begins to realize how life decisions can be more complex. All three of these men, despite coming from similar backgrounds, take separate paths due to the experiences that life and the system has forced them into.

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Analysis of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (FMAB) is an anime adapted from the manga “Fullmetal Alchemist” written by Hiromu Arakawa. The story is based around two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who grow up practicing alchemy. Once their mother has passed away, they attempt to use alchemy to bring her back to life. Due to this being a forbidden practice in alchemy, Edward loses his arm and leg, and Alphonse loses his entire body, but he keeps his soul bound to a suit of armor. As they are determined to restore their bodies back to normal, the brothers go on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone, which is a power tool that can enhance their powers.

One of the ways the show explores themes regarding race, ethnicity, and cultural diversity is through the Ishvalan Civil War. The plotline surrounding the war covers the Ishvalans and their genocide at the hands from the people of Amestris. The relationship between the people Ishvala and Amestris was already tense, as they were both culturally very different. The people of Ishavala have different religious practices, values, and customs that are distinctly different from Amestris. The reason the war started was because a soldier from Amestris shot an innocent Ishvalan child in broad daylist. This caused riots to ensue, which then lead to the beginning of the civil war (Anderson, 2020). Many of the protagonists that we get to know during the show participated in the genocidal acts, and they come to reflect on the consequences of their actions. Scar, a survivor from the war, is a character who seeks vengeance for these crimes and is initially portrayed as a villain. Scar develops a friendship with Winry Rockbell, a woman from Amestris, and through their conversations they demonstrate the ability to understand and respect different cultures. Winry’s empathy towards Scar enables her to overcome her own biases towards the Ishavalan people.

When I think of the Ishvalan Civil War, I think of the Wounded Knee Massacre. This event occurred due to tense relationships with the United States and the Native Americans. The Sioux tribe had different traditions and participated in the Ghost Dancing ceremony that they learned from Wovoka of the Paiute tribe (Takaki, 2012). This led to severe misunderstanding in which the army was called to their reservation, which later ensued to violence at Wounded Knee. The reflections of the characters in FMAB from their participation in the genocide of the Ishvalan make me wonder of the soldiers who participated in Wounded Knee. Were they able to live with their actions of that day? The Ishvalan Civil War and the constant massacres that Native Americans had to endure feel like a parallel to our real-world history. I believe it also brings up the responsibility that individuals and governments have in preventing discrimination, and addressing injustices that are being committed to people of different cultures.

References:

Anderson, I. (2020, June 13). Fullmetal Alchemist: The Ishval Civil War, Explained. CBR. Retrieved from https://www.cbr.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-ishval-civil-war-explained/ ​

Takaki, R. (2012). A Different Mirror for Young People. Random House Publishing Services.

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Art 150 Journal

The television show I want to select is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It is one my favorite shows because it reminds me of the bond I have with my brother. It tells a good story about the different dynamics of friendship and family as well. There is a lot of religious undertones as well, and it reminds me of how strong our beliefs not only bring unity but a divide in our society as well. As a combat veteran, they also touch on the traumas of war, and now that I am an adult I find myself relating to the more mature themes in the show.

2. The film I wish to select is Blood In, Blood Out (1993). The film explores the dynamics of 3 Chicano men in East Los Angeles. The film explores what it means to be a Chicano, and what that can look like in the United States. Racism and discrimination are also one of the big themes, especially during the parts of the film where it centers on the prison system. These social issues also influence the choices these characters make from their teenage years to adulthood. As I just learned about structural pathways, this film covers how different influences involving the system changes how each of these characters grow up. It's also of one of the few films that I watched growing up where I could relate to the characters not only because of their experiences, but because they are Mexican just likely myself.

3. One person I do follow closely is Pat McAfee. He is a former NFL punter who is now of the biggest sports analysts in the media today. I discovered his show during the heigh of the pandemic and found myself watching his sports show every day. Once I began to follow him on social media, I realized that he was more than just a former player. Pat likes to give back to his community and has started a nonprofit organization with his wife called "Fur The Brand" which brings awareness to cancer in dogs. One thing I appreciate about his show is that he always ends it with telling his audience "be a friend, tell someone something nice" as a reminded to tell those around you they matter.

Instagram: PatMcAfeeShow

Youtube: The Pat McAfee Show