Magic is often associated with fantastical and extraordinary abilities that defy explanation. From ancient folklore to modern-day entertainment, the concept of magic has captured the imagination of people across cultures and generations. One aspect that is often emphasized in depictions of magic is its visual appeal. Magic looks alluring, captivating, and mysterious. Magicians often perform tricks and illusions that leave their audiences astounded and wondering how it was even possible. Whether it is a simple card trick or a grand spectacle, the visual aspect of magic plays a crucial role in creating the desired effect.
Last night, I went to see Black Panther. Today, I'm looking for tickets to go and see it again.
I don t think I can articulate how exciting and meaningful it is as a Black person to see a film with a Black character at its centre a character who is an epic superhero. Rallying and electing local officials such as state representatives and attorney generals who can impact the judicial system can yield concrete pathways towards significant results.
Whether it is a simple card trick or a grand spectacle, the visual aspect of magic plays a crucial role in creating the desired effect. The magician's gestures, props, and lively presence all contribute to the overall visual spectacle, creating an aura of enchantment and excitement. The use of smoke, mirrors, and colorful lights only enhances the visual appeal of magic.
Black people are still seeking racial justice – why and what to do about it
On July 9 th 2020, in the wake of nation-wide protests over George Floyd and other Black victims of police violence, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in Governance Studies Rashawn Ray joined actor and producer Boris Kodjoe to talk about policy solutions to address systemic racism and police brutality. Below are highlights from their conversation for the Instagram podcast series #19for20, which aims to inspire public dialogue about difficult topics in social justice. You can watch the full interview here.
What is different about today’s climate compared to prior national uprisings around race?
Ray highlighted how both the visceral public display of George Floyd’s murder and COVID-19 had engulfed the nation in a manner markedly distinct from Ferguson, Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other previous nation-wide racial justice movements.
“George Floyd is the twenty first century Emmett Till, a moment similar to [his] murder in 1955 [and] by his mother having the foresight and also the bravery to show his decomposed body in that casket”, he said.
The gruesome imagery of witnessing another human being lose their life, with their neck buried under the knee of a police officer for roughly 8 minutes and 46 seconds languishes us psychologically, emotionally and physically. At the same time, with the globe and mainstream media gripped in the sweeping standstill of the pandemic, BLM took to social media, unleashing raw footage of Floyd and other Black victims to signify that they were not isolated, but were the remnants of a larger scourge of racially charged police violence rippling across the country.
View this post on InstagramWhy do Black Lives continue to be devalued and over-criminalized?
Ray remarked on how the nation’s historical legacy of slavery continues to be the foundational epicenter of racial discrimination against Blacks and other minorities. “Bad apples often times come from a rotten tree. And that tree in the United States of America is rooted in systemic racism, particularly when it comes to law enforcement that has roots back to slavery”, he explained. What’s more, according to recent research, disturbing levels of white nationalism and domestic extremist groups have been shown to have infiltrated law enforcement.
Kodjoe described a personal encounter he had had with a white businessman in his own neighborhood while dressed in a hoodie and flip flops to illustrate what he referred to as “the magic pause”: how Black individuals continually internalize and deflect a series of micro-aggressions and discriminatory behavior from white individuals. The man was initially disdainful towards Kodjoe but after noticing that he owned one of the most opulent houses in the community, he sharply reversed his tone, adopting a more friendly and positive demeanor. “And that criminalization of Black people is the direct result of the lack of those muscles and the lack of consideration for the fact that I’m a father, I’m a husband, I’m a professional, I have family, I have a job,” Kodjoe emphasized.
Ray concurred, remarking that “the magic pause” also reflects the collective memory of traumatic experiences that Blacks have undergone in the past, triggering fresh waves of encounters that either did or could have ended fatally, but also revealing how a white person will attempt to code-switch according to the perceived social class of a Black person. “And I think fundamentally it highlights that we can’t outclass racism. It doesn’t matter if you’re Boris Kodjoe [and] that you have the biggest house on the street….all that matters is that in that moment, he’s seen your skin tone and his skin tone, [which gives] him the script for how to make sense of what was going on,” he added. In essence, these racial attitudes undergird and perpetuate the over-policing and dehumanization of Black people and the long-standing perceptions that they are not only one-dimensional but are more likely to engage in crime. Conversely, crime is inherently racial but there is a tendency to zero in on Black related violence. “94% of Black people kill other Blacks, 86% of white people kill other whites. But we never say white-on-white crime. It’s only talking about Black-on-Black crime,” Ray underscored.
What remedies can help shape the path forward?
1. Re-allocate and re-invest in police departments
Simply assigning more police officers to these crises will not solve the underlying issues. Further, not only is crime hovering at historic lows but existing law enforcement funds are not being utilized efficiently: Roughly 40% of homicides and 70% of robberies go unresolved and 9 out of 10 response calls handled by law enforcement stem from non-violent issues, ranging from mental health to homelessness. Defunding the police or re-assigning non-violent crimes to entities better equipped to handle these societal challenges will help to boost efficiency and augment the clearance rate for resolving violent crimes.
2. Implement accountability & transparency in law enforcement
Not only does the status quo reward police officers who ratchet up the highest quotas of tickets and arrests but taxpayers routinely foot the bill for civil payouts involving victims of police brutality and even then, the culpable officers are rarely held financially or criminally liable.
- Institute police department liability insurance: By shifting the source of funds for civilian payouts from taxpayers to police budgets, police departments will not only have a greater incentive to hold police officers accountable for misconduct but the aggrieved families will receive more just recompense for the loss of their loved ones, through the parties that are directly responsible as opposed to through their own hard-earned tax dollars.
- Create a national registry: This will allow police officers to be terminated for misconduct or if they resigned under trial for misconduct as outlined in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
- Remove qualified immunity: This is a legal safeguard currently upheld by the Supreme Court which shields police officers from criminal liability and being sued financially, however, recently enacted state led reforms such as in Colorado can serve as a promising model.
3. Active civic engagement, particularly down ballot
Activism across the electoral spectrum is paramount but local politics largely determines the policies and outcomes within one’s immediate community. Rallying and electing local officials such as state representatives and attorney generals who can impact the judicial system can yield concrete pathways towards significant results.
4. Corporate America needs to embrace meaningful action, not just slogans and words
Black assets and intellectual property have been systematically disenfranchised and under-invested in and members of the C-suite and other large conglomerates have a significant role to play in not only reshaping the narrative and incentive structure around business but by also leveraging the existing resources within the Black community to drive sustainable and meaningful change. ”[We] don’t need handouts, we need real partnerships and corporate allies that are ready to invest in us,” Kodjoe reiterated.
- Invest in minority-owned small businesses. Roughly 40% of black small businesses went under because 90% didn’t receive relief funds, however, large corporates can leverage their existing sub-contracts to combat this area.
- Diversity upper management; there is a rich pool of untapped talent to be capitalized upon.
- Compensate individuals for doing the emotional work of anti-racism; they are not there to do it for free.
- Institute bi-annual surveys for minorities to capture their experiences in the workplace and promote greater equity.
- Implement reparations to close the racial wealth gap.
In essence, Black people don’t want a seat at the table, they want their own table, apportioned with equal weight and size to be acknowledged, seen, and heard across all spectrums of society. W.E.B Dubois encapsulated this enduring plight of Black individuals over a century ago as “double consciousness”, a longing to be both Black and American without having the doors of opportunity closed roughly in one’s face. And yet Blacks are still clamoring for that promise of equal justice and opportunity to be recognized as fully equal citizens in America.
I knew walking into the theatre on the opening night of Black Panther that it was going to be something special. I was not disappointed.
These elements are often incorporated to add an extra layer of intrigue and mystique, drawing the audience deeper into the world of the illusion. The manipulation of these visuals is what gives magic its distinctive and mesmerizing charm. Moreover, the attire and appearance of a magician also add to the magical aesthetic. The flowing robes, top hats, and sparkling accessories create an image of a person with otherworldly powers. These visual cues help to establish the magician as a figure of authority and mystery, further enhancing the overall magical experience. However, it is essential to note that while the visual aspect of magic is crucial, it goes hand in hand with the skill and craft of the magician. Behind every visually stunning trick lies hours of practice, preparation, and precision. The magician's ability to seamlessly combine visual spectacle with their technical expertise is what truly makes magic an awe-inspiring art form. In conclusion, magic looks alluring and captivating due to its visual appeal. The incorporation of props, illusions, lighting, and costumes help create a magical ambiance that captures the imagination of the audience. However, it is important to remember that the beauty of magic lies not only in its visual appeal but also in the skill and artistry of the magician performing it..
Reviews for "The Rise of Mentalism: Exploring the Mind-Reading Phenomenon"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic looks alkoh". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The writing style was lackluster and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't get into "Magic looks alkoh" at all. The writing was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The pacing was also very slow, and it felt like nothing was happening for the majority of the book. I found myself constantly skimming through pages just to get to the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.
3. James - 2 stars - "Magic looks alkoh" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect or care about their stories. Despite the promising premise, the book failed to deliver a captivating and well-executed storyline. It's unfortunate because I had high hopes for this novel.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While I appreciate the unique concept of "Magic looks alkoh", I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of tedious exposition and rushed action scenes that left me feeling indifferent. The main character lacked depth and growth, which made it difficult to become emotionally invested in her journey. Overall, the book had its moments, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
5. Michael - 2 stars - "Magic looks alkoh" was a frustrating read for me. The writing style was convoluted, and it often felt like the author was trying too hard to be clever and poetic. The plot was disjointed and lacked coherence, leaving me confused and uninterested in the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing and forgettable read.