Anti-Facism Film 🎬 Don't be a Sucker

"Don't be a Sucker"

Anti-Facism Film

Why are people circulating this old anti-facism film?
Don't Be a Sucker is a short film produced by the United States Department of War released in 1947, adapted from an earlier, longer version from 1943.

It has anti-racist and anti-fascist themes, and was made to educate viewers about prejudice and discrimination.

The film was also made to make the case for the desegregation of the United States armed forces.

Plot
An American who has been listening to a racist and bigoted rabble-rouser, who is preaching hate speech against ethnic and religious minorities and immigrants, is warned off by a naturalized Hungarian immigrant, possibly a Holocaust survivor or escapee, who explains to him how such rhetoric and demagogy allowed the Nazis to rise to power in Weimar Germany, and warns Americans not to fall for similar demagogy propagated by American racists and bigots.

VIDEO

In popular culture
In August 2017, the short film went viral on the internet in the aftermath of the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and various copies have been uploaded to video sharing sites in the past year.

The 1947 educational film "Don't be a Sucker" was shared online in the wake of a neo-Nazi protest in Charlottesville, Va.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Be_a_Sucker

Title: Don't Be a Sucker (high resolution 35mm transfer).webm
Author: US National Archives
Date: 22 August 2017

Distributed by  United States Department of War
Release date     

- July 4, 1943
- 1947 (shorter version)
Running time - 18 minutes (1943)
- 17 minutes 21 seconds (1947)

See Original Full film here:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Don%27t_Be_a_Sucker_%28high_resolution_35mm_transfer%29.webm

In 1943, the US government created and distributed an anti-fascism PSA that showed a man realizing the danger in fascist propaganda and hateful rhetoric. At one point he says, "He's talking about me."

A World War II anti-fascism propaganda video made found a new audience after the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday, Aug. 12.

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This 1943 anti-Nazi film keeps going viral.

It may be less effective than it seems.

By Alissa Wilkinson VOX Updated Jun 29, 2018

A study of the short film Don’t Be a Sucker suggests old attitudes about fascism in America have never gone away.

In the hours following the Unite the Right white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in August of 2017, a short propaganda film called Don’t Be a Sucker, first produced in 1943 by the US Department of Defense and then re-released in 1947, went viral on the internet. And in the months since, it’s been repeatedly invoked on Twitter as a prescient harbinger of our current reality, 75 years after its creation.

Created as a warning against creeping fascism and racism in the United States, the movie illustrates the divide-and-conquer method employed by German Nazis. When the film was produced, the US had entered the ongoing war in Europe only two years earlier. Originally 20 minutes long, it was created by the Army Signal Corps to raise soldier morale, but an edited version was produced after the war and shown widely for educational purposes — including in cinemas.

Don’t Be a Sucker feels strangely timely today. But in 1951, researchers Eunice Cooper and Helen Dinerman published a study in the Public Opinion Quarterly analyzing the film’s effectiveness (it’s now accessible on JSTOR) — and their findings are just as timely and important as the film. Beyond that, they’re chilling.

 

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/14/16143782/dont-be-a-sucker-propaganda-charlottesville-nazi-racism

Buddhism Facts You Never Knew

5 Facts About Buddhism
You Never Knew

By Matt Caron   

1) Buddha wasn’t Fat!

OK, so think about this: if Buddha spent most of his time meditating, fasting, living off vegetarian food, and hiking everywhere, how would he get fat?

Answer: he wouldn’t.

The idea that Buddha was somehow fat is actually a complete myth; not only that, but it’s also not even the same person! The use of the fat Buddha seen everywhere in Chinese restaurants and Chinese culture is actually a zen monk named Budai. Budai lived in the 900’s and was considered to be a saint. He lived in a monastery and ate heartily, blessing the nearby town.

2) The Dalai Lama is Only for Tibet

Lots of people think that the Dalai Lama is basically the “pope” of Buddhism. Not true!

The Dalai Lama is the leader of Tibet only.

While we have democracy here in the west, Tibet had an extremely unique form of government for thousands of years. Basically, when their spiritual leader died, they would go out and try to find his reincarnation, so that he could continue guiding the nation. It’s sorta like having an eternal leader; except he’s a lot nicer than most. This would not be any different if we went out and tried to find the reincarnations of those who signed the constitution, and put them back in government again and again (except they’d have WAY better teeth this time around).

3) Buddha is just a Title

Lots of people refer to Buddha when talking about Buddhism. But did you know that’s not his real name?

His real name is Siddhartha Gautama.

Siddhartha was born a prince and left his worldly riches in order to achieve enlightenment. Once he had attain this final state, he became known as the “awakened one”, or “Buddha” in Sanskrit. Anyone who attains enlightenment can be referred to as a Buddha, not just Siddhartha.

4) Buddhism Almost Failed in India

From the beginning, Buddhism had the interest of the eastern cultures. However, it didn’t have the foothold like Hinduism did. Though Buddhism started in India, it seemed to have trouble getting large amounts of people to stick to it.

This is for several reasons:

Hinduism and Buddhism share many similar traits, and so Hinduism simply called Buddha an incarnation of Vishnu and absorbed him into their pantheon. This was part of the new movement we see today in Hinduism, similar to reformation in Christianity.

Turkish and Arab invasions (over a period of hundreds of years) destroyed many temples and made it their mission to keep old masters from training new disciples.

These, combined with a inability to communicate effectively in those times, made it hard for Buddhism to flourish in India; even though cultures China, Japan, and Tibet embraced it nationally.

5) Buddhist Temples aren’t really Temples

Since there isn’t really anyone to worship in Buddhism, temples are generally just places where people come to study the teachings and meditate.

Sure, there are lectures and chanting…

But the most important aspect of Buddhist centers is their ability to give practitioners space to seek enlightenment, not worship.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Buddha’s teachings, check out his living words in The Dhammapada. This much-loved scripture consists of verses organized by theme: thought, joy, anger, pleasure, and others.

SEE ALSO: 
 An Introduction To Buddhism Pt1: History And Origin

http://blog.sivanaspirit.com/5-facts-buddhism-never-knew

Coney Island 🌴Mermaid 🛀Parade

Coney Island

The 38th Annual Mermaid Parade

Parade Status

Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, the Mermaid Parade won’t be happening as originally scheduled. Despite this setback, we have taken a solemn vow that it will happen in 2020. We do not yet have an official date and it may take an unusual form but it will happen! Please stay tuned for an announcement from us about what we have planned. Make sure that you follow us on social media and are signed up for our Email Blasts (see sidebar on this page) to stay informed.

The Maskies, Presented by@NY1, are being held on Monday night! 

Check out the masks, check out the mask makers, and have some fun on our live stream of the event. This page includes images/slideshows of ALL OF THE MASKS. So share it with your friends: https://coneyisland.com/awards

The contestants in The Put on a Funny Face Mask Design Contest have created the most brilliant masks to have ever graced our planet. Now it is time to announce the winners. That's right it is time for THE MASKIES: our ultra swanky star-studded award show. It is scheduled for June 8th at 8PM.

• Contestants should check their email on Sunday for information about the private Zoom event
• The general public can come back here to this page for info about the free publicly available stream

We'll see you Monday! In the meantime, check out the MASKS. Click on any image to see larger (and often additional) images. Click the person's name to see more information about the mask and its creator.

Queen Mermaid Hailey Clauson 
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER MODEL

The Maskies, Presented by@NY1, are being held on Monday night! Check out the masks, check out the mask makers, and have some fun on our live stream of the event. This page includes images/slideshows of ALL OF THE MASKS. So share it with your friends: https://coneyisland.com/awards

 

37th Annual

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

2019 New York City

The 37th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade was held Jun 22 in 2019.

The Parade held annually in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, is the largest art parade in the United States. It is held each year in June, regardless of weather, to celebrate the arrival of the summer season. (according to Wikipedia)

Coney Island is a New York City neighborhood that features an amusement area that includes rides and attractions. It's not a centrally managed amusement park.

Registration is now open! Click here for info and to register to participate!

• The Parade will start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue
• The Parade will roll east to West 10th Street
• At West 10th Street the Parade will turn south towards the boardwalk
• Cars and Motorized Floats continue down Surf Ave. passing W. 10th Street and exit the parade.
• At the Boardwalk, the marchers and push-pull floats will turn west and head towards West 17th St.
• At Steeplechase Plaza, the Parade will disband.
• Immediately after the last participant passes the review stand (approximately 4pm) at West 19th and Surf Avenue, parade founder Dick D. Zigun leads the King and Queen procession from the review stand at 19th and Surf Avenue, through MCU Parking lot to the beach for the official Beach Ceremony and opening of the ocean for the summer swimming season. Join us!

A Detailed Parade Map is available
Check In/Registration - Check in/Registration for  floats, antique cars, and marchers is in the parking lot on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets from 10am-1pm.
The line up for Floats and Antique Cars:
Floats line up on Surf Avenue between 24th street & 22nd street, Antique Cars line up on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets
Because West 21st Street is much narrower than our old staging area (West 10th Street), you will NOT be able to PULL YOUR TRUCK OR VEHICLE to unload materials for assembling your push-pull cart or costume. But, DON’T WORRY- you will be able to assemble your cart in a secure location with vehicle access on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Street. You may then push your cart on to West 21st Street.

Mermaid Parade Frequently Asked Questions.

2015 Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The gloomy weather Saturday did little to dampen the spirit of thousands of extravagantly and sometimes scantily dressed “sea creature” revelers for the Mermaid Parade.

 

Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2018

Hundreds of thousands of people lined Surf Avenue in Coney Island for the 36th annual Mermaid Parade that drew out waves of mermaids and other sea-faring creatures in a summer celebration.

Video by Liliana Bernal

Music

A Russian Circus Story by The Freak Fandango Orchestra

About The Mermaid Parade:

A completely original creation of Coney Island USA (the not for profit arts organization at 1208 Surf Avenue), the Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events.

A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade highlights Coney Island Pageantry based on a century of many Coney parades, celebrates the artistic vision of the masses, and ensures that the summer season is a success by bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area in a single day.

The MERMAID PARADE specifically was founded in 1983 with 3 goals: it brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune ; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment”; and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public.

Unlike most parades, this one has no ethnic, religious, or commercial aims. It’s a major New York holiday invented by artists! An American version of the summer-solstice celebration, it takes pride of place with West African Water Festivals and Ancient Greek and Roman street theater. It's features participants dressed in hand-made costumes based on themes and categories set by us. This creates an artistic framework on which artists can improvise, resulting in the flourishing of frivolity, dedication, pride, and personal vision that has become how New York celebrates summer.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

The Mermaid Parade on Social Media! 

1. #mermaidparade2020 
2. #mermaidparade

z

Dick D. Zigun - Founder of The Mermaid Parade!

Dick Zigun is the Founder & Artistic Director of Coney Island USA since 1980. Inventor of the Mermaid Parade & godfather of burlesque & sideshow revivals, he is a tattooed author of a dozen weird American plays, performance artist known as the Mayor of Coney Island, and legal New York State marriage officiant.
Click here, for more about Dick.
Follow him on Twitter here. 

Advisory

Coney Island USA has been closely monitoring the status of the current coronavirus outbreak and considers the safety of our supporters, patrons, employees and cast members of the utmost importance. In order to ensure this safety, we are following the current recommendations of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus.

While the pandemic is stopping our “real world” activities for now, we are happy to announce that we have a big slate of online programming currently available, or in production. Our hope is that our efforts can bring a little Coney Island style joy to what otherwise can be a bleak time.

For the most up to date information make sure that you follow us on social media and are signed up for our Email Blasts (see sidebar on this page) to stay informed.

Please remember that  Coney Island USA is a not-for-profit arts organization. We can only continue our programs with donations from friends like you .

Coney Island

Coney Island is a residential and commercial neighborhood and entertainment area, located on a peninsula in the southwestern part of the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. The neighborhood is bounded by Manhattan Beach to its east, Lower New York Bay to the south and west, and Gravesend to the north, and includes the subsections of Sea Gate to its west and Brighton Beach to its east. Coney Island was formerly the westernmost of the Outer Barrier islands on the southern shore of Long Island, but in the early 20th century it became a peninsula, connected to the rest of Long Island by land fill.

The origin of Coney Island's name is disputed, but the area was originally part of the colonial town of Gravesend. By the mid-19th century it had become a seaside resort, and by the late 19th century, amusement parks had also been built at the location. The attractions reached a historical peak during the first half of the 20th century. However, they declined in popularity after World War II, and following years of neglect, several structures were torn down. Various redevelopment projects were proposed for Coney Island in the 1970s through the 2000s, though most of these were not carried out. The area was revitalized with the opening of MCU Park in 2001 and several amusement rides in the 2010s.

Coney Island has 31,965 residents as of the 2010 United States Census. The neighborhood is ethnically diverse, and the neighborhood's poverty rate of 27% is slightly higher than that of the city as a whole.

Coney Island is part of Brooklyn Community District 13 and its primary ZIP Code is 11224.^[1] It is patrolled by the 60th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.^[2] Fire services are provided by the New York City Fire Department's Engine 245/Ladder 161/Battalion 43 and Engine 318/Ladder 166.^[3] Politically, Coney Island is represented by the New York City Council's 47th District.^[4] The area is well served by the New York City Subway and local bus routes, and contains several public elementary and middle schools. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island

https://www.coneyisland.com/programs/mermaid-parade

 

In Memoriam 🙏🏾 George Floyd

GEORGE FLOYD’S BROTHER

LEADS GROUP PRAYER
🙏🏾  RIP 🙏

Terrence Floyd has been outspoken against the acts of violence that are breaking out during otherwise peaceful protests across America.  

Floyd pleaded with protesters to not ‘tear up your town,’ saying that ‘it's OK to be angry, but channel your anger to do something positive or make a change another way because we've been down this road already. 

The anger, damaging your hometown is not the way [George would] want.’ 

George Floyd's brother calls for an end to violence; 'That's not going to bring my brother back' - Jun 1, 2020

Terrence Floyd visited the site of his brother George's death in Minneapolis and called for peace from protesters.
In an emotional moment, Floyd joined a civil rights leader, a civil rights attorney and a community activist to lay flowers and hold prayer at the site.
Floyd told the crowd that violence and unrest would not bring his brother back.
He urged everyone to protest peacefully. He said he knows his brother would not want anyone to be doing this and told people to relax.

He said he knows his brother would not want anyone to be doing this and told people to relax.
A week after George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, daytime demonstrations focused on racism and police brutality are increasingly giving way to violence and chaos by night.

👇 🎥 👇

He begged the crowd for calm as protesters around the world have marched in solidarity with those demanding justice.
Linking arms with friends and family, Mr. Floyd shouted down the crowd asking, “what are y’all doing?” Saying that breaking down businesses and setting things on fire isn’t going to bring his brother back. He explained that he’s more upset than anyone, but “if I’m not wilding out” others shouldn’t either.
“My family is a peaceful family. My family is God-fearing. Yeah, we’re upset, but we’re not going to be repetitious,” he continued. “In every incident of police brutality, the same thing ends up happening. Y’all protest. Y’all destroy stuff. And if they don’t move — you know why they don’t move? Because you don’t destroy their stuff, y’all destroy our own stuff.”

🌎 🌍 🌏

🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏾  RIP 🙏🏾🙏🙏🏾