Welcome to the Idiot Files, Rick

Rick McGinnis regularly writes Idiot Box and DVD Reviews for the "metro" newspaper. In his review of "Hairspray", on Tuesday November 20, the self-important simpleton decried the film's last third; his reason being that it "lectures us on the injustice of segregation as if it were still happening - a morale that's as anachronistic as it is unearned." This little outburst earns the writer a place of honour in the Idiot Alert Files.
Newsflash, oh uninformed one. In the same issue of the paper that carries the review,the FBI is quoted as stating that hate crimes in the U.S. rose nearly eight per cent last year, and that racial prejudice accounted for more than half the reported instances. Unfortunately, even though Canada is not mentioned in the blurb regarding the FBI stats, we're never far behind our neighbours to the south. In fact, in "Hate Crime in Canada: An Overview of Issues and Data Sources", a recent Department of Justice study was cited by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. The study found that almost 61% of 1,000 reported hate crime incidents were directed toward racial minorities. As well, the reader of this document is informed that "(H)ate crimes against individuals identified on the basis of race ... were more likely to involve violence..."
What McGinnis doesn't seem to understand, and/or doesn't want to acknowledge, is the fact that every opportunity that presents itself for a little public education on the issue of racism is a golden opportunity not to be missed. What he is purposely setting aside, in order to have something to whine about in his review, is the fact that it portrays events supposedly occuring in the 1950's. That makes it just right for the movie to spend its last third exactly as it does. The fact that the topic is still very much relevant today makes it more than just right.
Not to worry, Rick. Although the membership numbers are high, the Idiot Files have lots of room for you and your benighted, head-in-the-sand bunkum.