If you could host a dinner party and invite any four people, either living or dead, whom would you invite and what would the five of you discuss together? There is no right answer concerning dinner guests; rather, we want you to be creative and thoughtful in your response.
The four people I would invite to a dinner party would be John Lennon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Muhammad Ali and J.K. Rowling. There is much I would like to discuss with my guests. I will guide the conversation from the topics of peace and religion, to art and poetry, as well as politics and acting.
Lennon and Ali were from distinctly different backgrounds but both stood for peace in a violent, war-driven world. Ali was the face of a violent sport, yet, when called upon by the government to fight, stood strongly in his convictions and was arrested for draft dodging. How was he able to withstand the persecution of the American public, as he stood alone? Lennon's music touched individuals spiritually inspiring the masses to protest the war. Lennon and Ali can talk about the influence of their anti-war rhetoric and their role in stimulating peace worldwide.
Lennon and Ali studied with religious mentors seeking peace and guidance. Lennon studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to gather a refreshing view of the world as a departure from organized religion. Ali, disgusted with Christianity, changed his religious beliefs, and consequently his name. I would like to understand Lennon's state of mind as he and his companions prepared to play in San Francisco after receiving death threats because of his statements about Christianity. Rowling has openly struggled with her religious beliefs, oft accused of believing in the magic she writes about. The five of us will discuss religious persecution, organized religion and alternate belief systems.
John released a book on poetry and his livelihood came from generating emotion in those who listened to him. Rowling also developed a unique style of writing. Ali, although brash, used the written word to articulate his emotions in a uniquely poetic way. Schwarzenegger was the first body builder to incorporate music into his routines, ever since all others have followed his lead. Rowling has inspired legions of children to begin reading; doing for writing what Arnold, Ali and Lennon had done for their respective mediums. I believe art invokes thought; how do my dinner guests define art?
As a teenager, I began to recognize Lennon's polarizing position as an activist. He worked to invoke change as political outsider. Arnold opted to run for Governor in an effort to change policy from the inside. How would they discuss their strikingly different political agendas? With the past 30 years as an example, how does Lennon, the only guest no longer alive, view the world today? Are we essentially in the same place? Does he feel like his generation was able to spark the change in politics intended?
Arnold's action movies brought a focus to science fiction, a genre Rowling has successfully exploited. How would their experiences in acting and writing compare to that of Lennon? I believe these four individuals, three of which are of foreign descent, have helped define the last 50 years of American culture. All four individuals have influenced art, sports and politics and their contributions are rivaled by few. After discussing the topics above, with a satisfied smile, I would return the focus to the meal.
Friday, October 2, 2009
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