Dot, 4/21

As I was thinking further about the Hooks quotes we discussed in class, I was reminded of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's adoption stories. They have adopted 3 children from different countries and have one of their own. In thinking about their story, I was reminded of Hooks' quote that states,"within commodity culture, ethnicity becomes spice, seasoning that can liven up the dull dish that is mainstream white culture". 

In our culture, we are constantly being told about the lives of celebrities and their children. When Brad and Angelina decided to adopt children of other ethnicities, people became exited about the new mix of children being brought into the celeb world. Our culture was surely bored with the mundaneness of the mostly white celebrity world and enjoyed the spice of having ethnic children. Brad and Angelina's adoption also brought much more media attention to other countries, spicing up the types of things our culture watches. 

Although maybe cynically, Hooks' other idea that about asserting dominance over "others" is seen in our close relationship with them can also be related to Brad and Angelina's adoption. In adopting less fortunate ethnic children, they have sent out the message that these ethnic cultures need our help, representing our power over them.