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logruszed
10/26/09

In reply to A Good Run
Man, I heard that Masai warriors have like 30 goddamn dicks and fuck the shit out of bears. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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hummingpenguin
10/26/09

In reply to A Good Run
I guess this could come off wrong, but, he has worked with these guys for a while and he does know what he's talking about. I mean, that IS their culture, and that may be how they perceive the race. It just sounds strange when it's said by someone else. It doesn't help that two of them don't speak much English and can't explain it for themselves.

I would really hate for this to be turned against Norton. He's been working the hell out of Twitter, his friends in the media, and the team's sponsors and has raised about a quarter of a million dollars for the Maasai. For all that effort, he most certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini
10/26/09

In reply to A Good Run
Something about this doesn't sit well with me. I can't put my finger on why this makes me uncomfortable, beyond the general Afro-fetishism/exoticism of it all, but I can't tell if it's on the part of Edward Norton or the author of the article. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
10/26/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: I said almost the same thing in a comment below you. Something about the idolization of a "warrior culture" makes me uncomfortable. They run because they have to Ed, not because it is the BOLD and BRAVE thing to do. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini
10/26/09

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: yes, that's better articulated than I could. It's a big ol' MISSING THE POINT on the part of both Ed and the NYT. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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RainbowBrite
10/26/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: The warrior thing doesn't bother me, so much as the notion that someone wouldn't "get" the idea of the race. They're Africans, not aliens from another planet. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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ameliabearhart
10/26/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: I feel it too, and I think it's more the author than Norton. The latter seems to have more of an idea about what he's talking about, although thanks to the author we don't know for sure.

First, the author makes the taxi driver a funny caricature (I don't really mind Norton's reaction because I feel like he's usually put upon when it comes to these things). Then, he/she points out all the questions the Maasai people ask, and all the differences they notice, in a disturbingly infantile ("giggles") and reductionist type of way (oh, look, they're comparing Nairobi to Manhattan!). The second part might be me being somewhat sensitive, but I feel like that comment was just brushed off as silly instead of taken seriously as an interesting and different perspective.

And that's the other uncomfortable part: Hey, can we get some research up in here? Who are the Maasai? I could do the research myself (I am, and it's awesome), but if Norton is going to become the spokesperson for the "Maasai warrior culture," could enlighten us on what exactly that is. In fact, the author mentions that he DOES start to speak about it some more, but then s/he decides that it's not interesting enough to write any more about. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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la vie en hypnose
10/26/09

In reply to A Good Run
Oooh Edward Norton makes me tingly in my nether regions. In American History X my loins and my mind had the ultimate chess match. Needless to say vagina 1 brain 0.

ETA: I love that he cares about the biodiversity in East Africa, but damn condescending much, Edward.
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SweetIo promoted this comment Edited by la vie en hypnose at 10/26/09 7:09 PM la vie en hypnose was starred

SweetIo
10/26/09

@la vie en hypnose: You are so not alone. It was like - ew swastika, but um...the muscles. I have a feeling if I ever got close enough to smell Ed Norton I would not be able to control myself. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
10/26/09

In reply to A Good Run
The best part of the piece was when he dryly claims to the cab driver that "The Italian Job" was the best film he ever made.
But warrior culture??? Something about this seems off to me, as though he doesn't quite get it. He's so close, but no cigar. I can't put my finger on what it is. #edwardnortonnewyorkcitymarathon...
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JerseyGrrrl
08/17/09

In reply to Scorched Earth Policy
I know I'm going to remember this the next time I grumble about needing galoshes for my walk to the subway... a little perspective.

In fellow Kenyan Wangari Maathai's book The Challenge for Africa, a connection is made between these changing weather patterns and the rampant deforestation of Mount Kenya. She suggests the damage is still reversible. Really recommend that book for anyone interested in why the continent is facing the problems it is and how much of colonialism's effects are still present.
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NefariousNewt
08/17/09

In reply to Scorched Earth Policy
Pictures like this a) make me glad I live in America, b) make me heart-sick to think of the suffering of these people, and c) want to find a way to fix it.
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keldo
08/17/09

@NefariousNewt: And it makes me incredulous the world is more riveted by the Khardashian girl's escapades than this kind of suffering.
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Flackette Goes Retro
08/17/09

@NefariousNewt: I'm not sure how much it helps, but I have done micro-lending through kiva.org. You can select specific entrepreneurs in developing countries and loan them $25 USD. You get little updates on how they are doing with the business and repayment.
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