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‘Jojo Rabbit’s’ power comes from its ‘message about the absurdity of prejudice,’ CSUSB professor says
Vanity Fair
Oct. 21, 2019
The magazine’s news site interviewed Brian Levin, director of the nonpartisan Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, about the film, “Jojo Rabbit.”
“Anyone who is concerned about extremist white nationalist culture around the world today will find resonance in the message of this film. The timing is unmistakable,” said Levin. He added that the movie’s power comes from its “message about the absurdity of prejudice.”
Wrote Anthony Breznican: “‘Jojo Rabbit,’ (is) a dark comedy about a 10-year-old (Roman Griffin Davis) growing up under the Third Reich while trying his best to be both a good boy and a good Nazi. The film has been openly promoted as an ‘anti-hate satire,’ but reviews have been divided. While some critics have found it too glib and superficial, it's also possible to see the film as being cleverly coded, communicating a heavy message with winks and nods.”
Said Levin, “People are more likely to view something if it’s not presented initially as antagonistic. If you’re saying there’s not a resurgent anti-Semitism, conspiracism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, of course there is—but the message of the film is so elemental that the chords are struck even if the lyrics aren’t sung.”
Read the complete article at “‘Jojo Rabbit’ makes a mockery of MAGA extremism.”
Concern raised by CSUSB professor as federal hate crime prosecutions drop as such crime increase
VOA News
Oct. 19, 2019
At a time when hate crimes are on the rise in the United States, federal prosecutions of such offenses have declined sharply under the administration of President Donald Trump, according to data released on Oct. 16 by the Justice Department.
Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at the California State University, San Bernardino, said a “38% drop in prosecutions at a time when hate crimes have actually increased significantly is a cause for concern and certainly requires some kind of explanation from the government with respect to this.”
Read the complete article at “Despite surge in U.S. hate crimes, feds prosecute fewer cases.”
CSUSB anthropology professor and geology club to participate in county museum’s ‘Science Spooktacular’
High Desert Daily
Oct. 18, 2019
Guy Hepp, assistant professor of anthropology at Cal State San Bernardino, and the CSUSB Geology Club will be among the participants as the “Science Spooktacular” at the San Bernardino County Museum on Oct. 26.
The event at the museum, located in Redlands, will tackle questions such as “Have you ever wondered what makes a witch’s cauldron boil or how mummies have lasted thousands of years?”
Read the complete article at “San Bernardino County Museum hosts Science Spooktacular.”
These news clips and others may be found at “In the Headlines” at inside.csusb.edu.