Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto": Another Justification f

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I found a book once, where they explored Semitic people (Arabs, specifically) and how they were negatively portrayed in Hollywood from the 20s on. Sad to say, it was an interesting forward, then an exhaustive litany of every appearance for the last 80 years of every Arab character, and how it was a problem. It made the point, but it was like reading a phone book. I can't remember the name, but it's been in the last 10 years that it was written.

I'm sure there's a lot of bad reasons for that, but I agree with the old movie mogul who said 'If you want to send a message, use Western Union'...

That is right on. In Spain the Inquisition introduced racial notions into who was or was not a proper Catholic. Converts or the descendants of Jews were cast in a bad light. It turns out that many of the descendants of Jews who did not leave during the expulsion in 1491 advanced far in the hierarchy of management of the Catholic church because of their ability. Envy and suspicion introduced the notion of limpienza del sangre (purity of blood) and many such persons were demoted and even imprisoned by the Inquisition. Having Jewish ancestry become cause for being closely monitored by the Inquistion.

In the 16th century it did not pay to have opinions or if one had them, it were best to keep one's opinions to one's self.

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

ruveyn