Month: January 2019

Whereas some issues are incredibly widespread, hotly-debated, and quite renowned, others tend to slip under the public’s radar. These are daily, banal issues that are often unrecognized but make a significant difference in our everyday lives. One such issue on which I hope to shed more light is a trend I have noticed recently, both at my local CVS or Walgreens and other pharmacies:

Facial care products are becoming increasingly expensive – and decreasingly affordable as a result.

While I was in middle school, I began to feel dryness in my eyes. It was nothing major, but my ophthalmologist recommended that I begin using eye drops. Thus, I promptly abided by his instructions and initiated the process of providing my dry eyes with some much-needed relief. A few years later, my ophthalmologist told me that, with 20/25 vision in my right eye and 20/30 in my left, I needed glasses for a slight correction. I didn’t particularly mind this prescription. Indeed, I distinctly remember the moment I first looked out of the doctor’s office into a nearby intersection while wearing my glasses. The slight adjustment that provided made all the difference in the world.

Today, I continue to wear my glasses while looking at screens and for reading, or simply when my eyes are tired. In fact, I’m wearing my glasses right now while composing this blog post! In addition, I am certain that I am not the only person among my peers who wears glasses intermittently, for they are quite a valuable asset. However, while one typically pays for his or her glasses all at once, facial and eye care products demand a more repetitive, long-lasting, and altogether costly commitment.

Typically, when I visit CVS Pharmacy, I purchase a small bottle of Blink Tears or Blink Gel Tears for about $10 to $12. However, given that these small bottles run out quite fast, I often opt to bypass the traditional small bottle and buy one larger bottle for $18, or six additional dollars.

The aspect of this purchase that perturbs me is that, given the daily, habitual pace at which I use up eye drops, I am forced to return to the pharmacy ever two or three weeks, approximately. My routine, therefore, puts a significant dent in my wallet!

There are 52 weeks in one year. I, for one, hail from a middle-class family, and it is sometimes difficult for me to budget medical and health expenses for myself – of course, my parents take care of the rest, for the moment. Theoretically, if I were to return to CVS every three weeks to spend another $18 on a large bottle of Blink Tears, then in one year (52 weeks divided by 3 weeks per eye drop bottle is 17.33; and then 17.33 x $18), I would spend a whopping $312 on eye drops alone!  

I address this concern from a personal standpoint because I know all too well that I am not the only one struggling to make ends meet. As a college student, I often face the harsh reality that money is at a premium.

This leads me to my second facial care product: acne cream. My bedtime routine consists of eye drops, acne cream, and hand/skin cream nightly, and a nice, refreshing drink of water to rehydrate before enjoying several hours of peaceful slumber. I typically take a bit longer to empty my acne cream than the eye drops simply because I do not need to use all that much to achieve the desired effect. The time can vary, however, because oftentimes the tubes of cream are quite small.

Nevertheless, acne cream is another expense that must be accounted for. Depending on the brand, it can cost anywhere between $8 and $10.

In hindsight, I believe I buy acne cream at least as often, and probably a bit more often, than eye drops. Thus, a fair estimate of the yearly cost of acne cream would be $350-$375. For the aforementioned hand cream, which I use predominantly during the winter months but also year-round in very large bottles, I probably pay about $250-$300. In all, I believe I spend at least $1,000 on all my face and hygienical needs; quite a burden, indeed!

I say the following with all due respect and humility, but in this regard, I am glad I am not a girl! I cannot imagine what financial hardships my female counterparts must encounter in their pursuit of quality skin care and hygiene. Whether it be overpriced brand perfume, Neutrogena skin care, or other products, my “plight,” so to speak, completely pales when compared to female health costs! This list omits makeup and hair products, too!

In sum, the everyday American evidently cannot resemble Marilyn Monroe or George Clooney simply because he or she – indeed, we – are not opulent enough to be able to afford the stylistic luxuries that can be found in a pharmacy! This is not an effort on my part to condescend on American society, but rather a commentary on my own financial challenges as they relate to my peers and fellow citizens.

Pharmaceutical companies and their subdivisions are well aware that the average American cannot avoid the pharmacy, for he or she must purchase proper bodily care. Thus, I ultimately ask: instead of taking advantage of us, could you, the pharmaceutical companies of America, agree to cater to our needs and negotiate with us?

Such a change would be greatly appreciated.

Image Credit:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Blink-Tears-Lubricating-Eye-Drops-Mild-Moderate-Dry-Eye-1-Fl-Oz/10416207

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/clearasil-daily-clear-acne-treatment-cream-10-benzoyl-peroxide-medication/ID=prod6006461-product?o=acs

Hi, everyone! Today, I will be discussing equality as it relates to a talent and content-based industry: professional filmmaking, or more specifically, that awards show we all fiercely anticipate and watch in late February: the Oscars.

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, have long been a bright, golden beacon of elitism and upper-class suave. Stars dressed in fine suits and beautiful gowns will have graced the red carpet 91 times since the awards ceremony’s inception in 1929 following this year’s televised show.

In recent years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been criticized for the lack of diversity in its voting body. Hollywood itself has long been an exclusive, idealistic realm where dreams can be realized; however, it does indeed appear that certain measures have rendered the filmmaking (and film-awarding/celebrating) industry unnecessarily exclusive.

How might one quantify diversity? The importance of possessing a variety of races and ethnicities in an industry or a workplace is significant. The ability of a company to contain a multitude of backgrounds and viewpoints can aid its functionality and its adaptability to the real world. In my view, discrimination is unacceptable on a personal basis. Civil rights are necessary and beneficial, not just to those whom they protect, but to society as a whole. Thus, in terms of acceptance of others, I believe “the more the merrier” is the best manner in which to quantify diversity, provided the individuals of color being considered for a given post are as or similarly qualified as their white counterparts.

However, I do believe that talent and content must reign supreme in cinema. The best films must be honored, and I believe simply nominating a film because of the demographics it represents is detrimental to the industry. Yes, the sharing of new perspectives is critical to audience education and engagement, but the best must still emerge victorious. The narrative that Hollywood is selling is that excellent, minority-produced films are not being recognized. In many cases, this is true. Fantastic directors such as Ryan Coogler (Creed; Black Panther) and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight; If Beale Street Could Talk) are clearly among the most skilled in their profession. While I do believe that everyone’s story deserves to be told, I find that the notion that a particular film corresponds to the Academy’s ideals specifically because of its racial themes is only half-credible.

Filmmaking is innately a craft, not merely a subject matter. If a filmmaker can hone his or her craft and address a controversial topic simultaneously, then his ethos is undeniable. Lighting, framing, shot selection, set design, and location selection – coupled with thematic focus – are the most crucial, craft-based aspects of the industry.

This Refinery29 article states that the number of minority and female filmmakers invited to be adjudicators in the aforementioned Academy has increased dramatically over the past few years. Unfortunately, women still only represent 28% of total Academy members, according to the same article. By the same token, people of color only represent eight percent of the Academy’s membership. What, one might wonder? has caused this 91-year power imbalance?

Let’s take this opportunity to reminisce on some Hollywood classics. Singin’ In the Rain (1952) and Gone with the Wind (1939) for example, virtually did not feature any diversity. Yet, Gene Kelly’s timeless hit is one of the few films with a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. One of the only African-American or minority characters in Hollywood’s “golden age,” if you will, was Dooley Wilson’s “As Time Goes By” piano player, Sam, in Casablanca (1942). Otherwise, Hollywood’s early years were predominantly white.

A great movie. But what about diversity?

Thus, to rephrase, I do not believe that members of the Academy, both young and old, must feel obliged to incorporate diversity into their Oscar selections simply to alter the status quo. Change, I believe, must be earned. If the talent is there, then yes, I am all for greater inclusion. One aspect of the Academy’s new philosophy with which I agree is its pursuit of a platform for all filmmakers to pursue (produce groundbreaking films) and achieve (be recognized, whether in nomination or award) their dreams – regardless of race or ethnicity.

If one puts in the effort, he or she is bound for success. As a young journalist and aspiring filmmaker – in both the documentary and fictional genre – this is a perspective with which I identify. However, I will acknowledge that my hardworking mindset might present a bias since, as a French-American, white man, I cannot hope to comprehend the struggles of my colored friends and coworkers.

Ultimately, the Oscars are still largely white. As this Vanity Fair article states, the Academy is filtering out its older members and bringing in the new to instill change. In the end, the Academy’s ability to effectively encompass all filmmaking perspectives is essential to the growth of the filmmaking industry. If Hollywood hopes to appeal to the general public, it must stress that all filmmakers and moviegoers are welcome – regardless of race, class, or ethnicity.

However, talent must still reign supreme and remain in the driver’s seat, with theme right beside it in the passenger’s seat to provide direction.

Image Credit

http://venturestrategic.com/articles/at-the-oscars/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/

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My Cultural Commentary Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/opinion/elon-musk-tesla.html

Dear reader, welcome to Tricolored Tumult! This semester, as stated in this blog’s subtitle, I will be examining a variety of civic issues as they pertain to equality. I will analyze issues of public outreach, public policy and more! Without further ado, here we go:

They are sleek, stylish, and fossil fuel-free. They are produced by billionaire Elon Musk, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Tesla vehicles are notoriously futuristic and innovative. Complete with several autonomous driving options and even over-the-air software updates similar to those found in smartphone applications, Teslas have been hailed as the vehicle of the future.

However, in order to thrive in the future, a brand must first succeed in the present by maximizing its outreach. In other words, a brand must cater to the largest number of customers possible to heighten profits. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average income among all Americans in 2016 was $57,617.

As stated on Tesla’s website, which features a facilitated, state-of-the-art  ordering system with customer-specific design options, the down payment for each Tesla vehicle is approximately $50,000, with some cheaper and more expensive options. How, one might subsequently ask, is Tesla supposed to appeal to the American middle class when the starting price of its vehicles is in the vicinity of what each American makes in an entire year?

The answer, sadly, is that they aren’t. The Tesla brand is inherently tied to Silicon Valley and wealthy technology companies. Furthermore, the worst part is that Tesla can afford to bypass the American middle class in favor of the nation’s elite, upper-class citizens who are willing to pay whatever is necessary for their advanced electric vehicles. Unfortunately, Musk himself has opted to maintain the price of Teslas at levels that many Americans – or, more aptly put, many potential Tesla customers –  would deem astronomical. Affordability is thus not among Musk’s primary concerns; gaining profit, or at least breaking even, given the advanced resources needed to construct electric cars, seems to be Musk’s sole priority.

I believe that it is in Tesla’s best interest to lower its prices by any and all means necessary. If Musk is truly the inventor and the environmentalist of the future, then he must seek to reach out to those Americans who are less prone to environmental concern. The Americans of whom I speak are poorer, everyday citizens who struggle to meet ends meet on a daily basis to sustain themselves – not to mention buy electric cars to sustain their environment and those around them!

(Above) Tesla may appeal to families, but one might wonder: how wealthy must those families be?

To reiterate, I firmly believe that the banalization and popular – not just elitist – spread of electric cars is the key to both Musk’s environmental and business goals. The future is here, and yet Musk cannot escape his own, self-centered ambitions. Is it not human nature to first care for oneself? Musk must be the one to alter this trend.

As the above New York Times article states, Elon Musk is indeed a brilliant man. I do not doubt or question this. However, there is something innately disturbing to me about Tesla’s lack of concern for social equality. I live in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. only about 15 or 20 minutes – i.e., a quick metro ride – away from certain parts of the district. Over Winter Break, I drove to the French Embassy with my maternal French relatives who were visiting my family. While driving them, I began to look in my rearview mirrors or at the cars beside me for the following insignia:

 

While navigating the Washingtonian streets, I soon observed numerous Teslas; that is, more than I had observed prior to leaving for Penn State. It is quite important to note here that the D.C. embassy neighborhood is among the area’s wealthiest. After all, the Obamas now reside there! Once again, unfortunately, Teslas are disproportionately available to the wealthy! I have no issue whatsoever with President Obama, but he and Michelle are the definition of the upper class, for they came from the White House and their home cost multiple millions! The average American is not nearly as rich as the Obamas.

Philanthropy only goes so far. This is not the Industrial Revolution or the time of Andrew Carnegie; indeed, this is – or, more appropriately, could be – a new era of renewal featuring more environmentally sustainable forms of transportation.

I fully understand that electric cars are currently in short supply and resources are scarce – and therefore, expensive. However, if this is truly to be a time of human improvement and evolution, then Elon Musk must do whatever is necessary to render Tesla available to the general public. The American middle class would likely be more than willing to make a change if only it were presented with the opportunity to do so.

Ultimately, I sincerely hope that in the near future, I will be able to pull up to a stoplight here in State College, Pennsylvania, in the hills of Penn State, and see a Tesla roll up next to me; just an everyday citizen with an everyday electric car and a newly-banalized mindset of sustainability for all.

Image Credit:

https://www.tesla.com/

Tesla Has The Highest Customer Loyalty Of All Car Brands

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/vehicle/part/tesla-logo-f2c856dc-836b-4143-82ab-e07964e7a959

*Word Count: 874