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Patriotism and Pop Culture: Captain America and More

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I’m still on my post-Comic Con #SDCC #Con high. What a great convention. On the last day, I skipped out for a few hours and went to Horton Plaza to catch “Captain America.” Wow, did I get my annual dose of rah, rah, sisboom, bah, America kicks ass injection! And, all festooned in red, white and blue.

Now, I like most people understand that Nazis are bad, evil and cruel. So, having Captain America fight against them or an evil related enemy is a no brainer. What I am thinking about is all the focus on the US, war or American patriotism in the movie, but also on display at some booths at the Con. It was pervasive if you looked for it.

This is more than seeing the red, white and blue on the shield, uniform, and bunting. But, also the notion of the US being best. We save the rest. And, all of you non-Americans need to remember this. This paragraph is dripping with sarcasm–in case it wasn’t obvious.

I’m also thinking of the spate of booths set up with an American motif or the comics with the storyline that also focus on militarism, violence and good old Americana that include a certain type of American Values. I’m ruminating about the Con and more blog posts to come.

Fri Fun Facts from the US

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As you know I am an ex-pat living in Canada. I get back to the US a few times a year. And, I am in the US now. I’m focusing today’s post about the US or more specifically San Diego. I’m at San Diego Comic Con #SDCC11.

1. One of my favorite things about San Diego is the memories from all the years of living here during university and after. Both my daughters were born in San Diego (well, actually La Jolla) and the same doctor attended their births. Que awwww.

2. The weather. San Diego has a temperate but warm climate. San Diego also does not have the smog that the great Los Angeles basin, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties have.

3. San Diego still maintains a smaller city feel even though its population exceeds  3.1 million people. It’s a good-sized city with lots of different neighborhood offering something for everyone.

4. San Diego hosts Comic Con each year. Isn’t that a great reason to love the city?!

5. San Diego is a tourist town. There are lots of things to do: Sea World, Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Lego Land, Balboa Park, the ocean and different beaches, great Aztec games (I am a two-time alum from State), eateries, baseball Go, Padres, and countless other outdoor activities.

6. Thanks to the universities there are lots of centers and choices for students. San Diego State, University of San Diego, UC San Diego, as well as CSU San Marcos and Point Loma.

I could continue, but I don’t want to gloat. It’s great to be back in San Diego.

Fri Fun Facts

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In the continued spirit of sharing quirky thoughts, here goes another Friday Fun Facts.

1. I am going to Comic Con in San Diego this month ( #SDCC11 ) with @pipsipirate and lots of other people. No, I’m not dressing up in a complete outfit or uniform. Yes, I might take my Gryffindor polo. I’m going as a Participant-Observer. I’m going to get more information about fandom studies for my Poli 433: Politics and Popular Culture course. Fun.

2. I am also going to BlogHer and this will also be in San Diego, but in August. Again, I’m looking forward to a work related event to network and have opportunities to learn more about women and technology. I am hoping to offer a new course in 2012 or 2013 related to Social Media and Politics. I don’t have the snappy title worked out yet, so it’s currently SMP in my mind.

3. Since I really dig my job a working “vacation” is not a problem. I’m going to two conferences for research, teaching, learning and network. Not too bad!

4. I was really lucky that the Western Political Science Association’s 2011 meeting in San Antonio, TX coincided with the annual Popular Culture conference in the same city. I attended panels related to Young Adult literature (Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Twilight), as well as other panels related to Pop Culture and Politics. Yet another example of how Political Science is a vast field that include this sort of work and interests. Yeah, that’s right–we do more than analyze election results. But, hey, that is important, too.

5. Next year, Weedonverse is at UBC in July 2012. I think I’ll be there.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s Fun Facts. And, for all the Canadians out there–Happy Canada Day!