Yesterday in my Arabic Literature class we watched "The Battle of Algiers" (1965)...it was an AMAZING film...yet so sad...it really makes you feel the pain, the suffering, the sorrow of the Algerian people under French colonialism, and in their struggle for independence...

This film focuses on the FLN and the French attempt to crush the movement and remain a powerful colonizer of Algeria..I highly recommend this film..it's no wonder the director was nominated for an Oscar *he should have won too*...France banned this movie in 1965 because of the horrors it showed on French treatment of Algerians and so on...It was also screened by the Pentagon in 2003, and was studied by them to get a feel for how 'terrorists' act and think...

It's a black and white film, but amazing quality, and a makes for a great watch nonetheless..be prepared to shed some tears though...

I really loved listening to the Algerians speaking..maaaaan it's so hard for me to understand what they're saying *winks at Algerianlass*...cool accent..and no, they don't mix French in with their Arabic, making it EVEN COOLER *gives Algerianlass a defiant glare*...a great people they are..mashallah...

Here's a link if you want to see the trailer:  http://www.rialtopictures.com/battle.html

I heard this song by comedian Tom Lehrer a few months ago and have been searching for a free audio clip of it...unfortunately, I couldn't find one; it seems you either have to buy the whole CD or nothing !! But I will post the lyrics, and I highly encourage you to listen to some of this guy's skits...He was a comedian back in the 60's, so the skits are old, but funny nontheless ! By the way, just some background info: National Brotherhood Week...that year, Malcolm X was killed right at the beginning of National Brotherhood Week, and so Tom Lehrer is making fun of the whole 'love your brother idea' and basically showing how despite labelling a certain week of the year "National Brotherhood Week", it doesn't really mean a thing ! Enjoy:

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Tom Lehrer's National Brotherhood Week

"One week of every year is designated National Brotherhood Week. This is just one of many such weeks honoring various worthy causes. One of my favorites is National Make-fun-of-the-handicapped Week which Frank Fontaine and Jerry Lewis are in charge of as you know. During National Brotherhood Week various special events are arranged to drive home the message of brotherhood. This year, for example, on the first day of the week Malcolm X was killed which gives you an idea of how effective the whole thing is. I'm sure we all agree that we ought to love one another and I know there are people in the world that do not love their fellow human beings and I hate people like that. Here's a song about National Brotherhood Week. "

*starts singing*

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks
And the black folks hate the white folks
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clark
Are dancing cheek to cheek
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise
As long as you don't let 'em in your school

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks
And the rich folks hate the poor folks
All of my folks hate all of your folks
It's American as apple pie

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans
'Cause it's very chic
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand
You can tolerate him if you try

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics
And the Catholics hate the Protestants
And the Hindus hate the Moslems
And everybody hates the Jews

But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
It's National Everyone-Smile-At-
One-Another-hood Week
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you
It's only for a week, so have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!

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LOOOOOOOOOOOL