Are the Oscars Racist?

Al Sharpton has activated his National Action Network in an effort to protest what he sees as the obvious racism involved with the Academy Awards nominations. The acting nominees are all white and Selma, which depicts struggles of the civil rights era, was thought to be a heavy contender for nominations, but was shut out except for Best Picture and Original Song. Vox and Slate also chime in with similar concerns. Big Hollywood‘s John Nolte pushes back, arguing that African-American and racially themed films have fared quite well in recent history. Only last year, 12 Years a Slave won best picture and Lupita Nyong’o also won for her work in the film.

The most egregious oversight, of course, was not racially motivated, but simply a reflection of poor taste. Somehow, The Lego Movie was not nominated for best animated film. Dastardly is the only proper description of such malignancy toward goodness and light.

Ernst to Deliver GOP Response to State of the Union Address

Joni Ernst (R-IA), the newly elected U.S. Senator, will deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s upcoming State of the Union Address. This is both an opportunity and a burden. The pressure is extreme and many people struggle. People still reference Marco Rubio’s odd water bottle reliance in 2013, for example. Mostly, such speeches are at least as forgettable as the State of the Union speeches themselves and, in some ways, that may be the best outcome for Ernst. Shoot for serviceable. Stretching toward epic may be a mistake.

Coming Decline of College Degrees?

Ronald Brownstein, of the National Journal, writes that studies indicate that unless significant changes happen, the number of Americans with college degrees will actually begin to decline meaningfully for the first time since the 1940s. America’s workforce, he fears, may be unable to meet employer demands if the trend continues, thereby reducing America’s economic prospects.

As a professor, I am conflicted about such news. I love to teach. I want to be involved in academia for the foreseeable future, so I need students in class, clearly. Also, I would like as many people as possible to get exposed to good, solid teaching. At the same time, I am aware that attaining a high quality college education is simply not the best option for many, many people. By expanding the potential pool of those seeking degrees, too many universities have watered down requirements and softened their expectations. Add to this the increasing costs for a college education, and many students are paying top dollar for educations that are not as good as they would have been two or three or four decades ago.

While getting educated is an excellent goal for many, not everyone needs that sort of education to succeed in life. Electricians, plumbers, and many other skilled workers may benefit from college, but it is not required. Parents and counselors need to do a better job being frank and realistic with some students. Education is not always the most beneficial path to take. In my experience, many of those students are pushed into college because it is expected of them not because it suits them or furthers their goals in life. If this results in somewhat fewer people seeking degrees, in my not be a bad thing.

At the same time, those who earn college degrees earn more money and should be more marketable in the future.

In short, it is, as most things are, complicated.

Fun Music Friday

Genius.