As much as I liked the documentary we watched about the beauty industry and how honestly it was presented I was very uneasy at one of the last things he said when he mentioned if we change our perception of beauty aren't we swapping out one set of victims for another?
This statement really made me think about the skinny models and how the 13 year old with the 94cm waist was considered to be too fat. Referring back to the billboard that was on the building in new york city with women people might think of as average, once a shift could turns back to full figured women being the object of beauty(like in earlier decades)they are too be just as objectified as the skinny blonde models.
These monsters that run the magazines,(who by their standards of beauty do not even rank on their scale) are so unapologetic it is sickening.
The website beautifulpeople.com or whatever it was, was run by very shallow people. Then after meeting with the film maker and seeing his gentle and authentic personality suddenly felt bad and gave him half hearted recommendations to put his picture up on the website. In an instant they seemed like they just realized what was wrong with what they were doing but I'm sure forgot about it the second he walked out the door.
I think the problem with everything is the human condition of fixation upon external appearance. It is a condition that people continue without superseding the physical limitations of what humans can actually look like and have to use computers. Are they going to do away with human models all together and just use animated models? Computerized images? A handful of people tell the rest of the world to look like. On what authority can they do that? How insecure are we that we believe them? If this world is going to hell the Editor in chiefs of these fashion magazines are definitely in the driver seat.
What I felt was the worst line (not to mention the worst person probably on the planet) was the E! executive that said they should take no responsibility for their actions. He used examples of eating disorders, teen pregnancies and suicides as he left blaming the victims for their lives completely denying any part of it. If these types of people didn't deny these thoughts I'm sure they would have killed themselves years ago after the guilt was just too much. I wish very much for this whole industry to collapse, let people have their own dreams, nobody needs dreams sold to them.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Latino/Hispanic in the media
Are Hispanic people still stereotyped in the media?
Absolutely.
Modern Family-a lighthearted comedy, with a wild "Latino Lover" character
One key difference between the Latin stereotypes and stereotypes of other minorities is the degree of negativity associated with it. While the mexican character can be stereotyped as lazy with siestas or the dim witted side kick, most of the time it is in the name of comedy although it is hurtful. What it doesn't do blatantly put to shame an entire race of people like something like blackface might do. Both are quite irresponsible and hurtful, but I feel the are varying degrees of this.
Absolutely.
Modern Family-a lighthearted comedy, with a wild "Latino Lover" character
One key difference between the Latin stereotypes and stereotypes of other minorities is the degree of negativity associated with it. While the mexican character can be stereotyped as lazy with siestas or the dim witted side kick, most of the time it is in the name of comedy although it is hurtful. What it doesn't do blatantly put to shame an entire race of people like something like blackface might do. Both are quite irresponsible and hurtful, but I feel the are varying degrees of this.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Spike Lee
Overall I enjoyed going to watch him. I am a fan of his movies while I admit I have not seen all. To be honest however that was not the spike lee I wanted to see. I didn't want to see the actor, producer, even director, I wanted to hear and see what was behind all of that.
His claim to fame is an examination of racial relations and how they pertain to certain aspects of the media. I like how he can get his thoughts about race and crime and poverty out in a beautiful art form, but I'd like to hear more concrete and less abstract versions. I want to hear the sentences coming from his mouth about what is wrong with this country, with life, and I feel we could have learned a lot from him. He did touch on these things however briefly, and I understand appropriate settings, but I can't hide my disappointment.
Moreover the questioning was even more frustrating. How many times can someone rephrase, "I am an aspiring (actor/director/film maker/business tycoon/circus clown)
and I was wondering what advice you have for me?" I was waiting to hear, "From all your studies on racial relations and explorations of issues that transcend nationality, class, status, What is the same mistake we are all making as humans again and again to allow problems like racism, sexism, poverty to exist?"
But then again I didn't have the courage to step up to the microphone, even if I could speak so eloquently, and thus we got to hear about aspirations and Tyler Perry.
Well it was funny.
His message was good, inspiring, and I cannot deny I took positive things from his talk. While he might not have been really talking to my demographic, I understand these problems transcend race, and people can only speak from experience, which his is quite different from mine. I hope his words inspired every young person in the room to overcome any obstacles that may cross their paths. It makes me realize how many less obstacles I, as a white male, have to overcome if I wished to be whatever I wanted, and it is quite sickening. Why I should have more of a chance than any other race or gender is disgusting, and unfair, and perhaps that was the lesson, I, personally, was supposed to get out of his performance.
Awareness and Realization.
I guess the next step is action.
His claim to fame is an examination of racial relations and how they pertain to certain aspects of the media. I like how he can get his thoughts about race and crime and poverty out in a beautiful art form, but I'd like to hear more concrete and less abstract versions. I want to hear the sentences coming from his mouth about what is wrong with this country, with life, and I feel we could have learned a lot from him. He did touch on these things however briefly, and I understand appropriate settings, but I can't hide my disappointment.
Moreover the questioning was even more frustrating. How many times can someone rephrase, "I am an aspiring (actor/director/film maker/business tycoon/circus clown)
and I was wondering what advice you have for me?" I was waiting to hear, "From all your studies on racial relations and explorations of issues that transcend nationality, class, status, What is the same mistake we are all making as humans again and again to allow problems like racism, sexism, poverty to exist?"
But then again I didn't have the courage to step up to the microphone, even if I could speak so eloquently, and thus we got to hear about aspirations and Tyler Perry.
Well it was funny.
His message was good, inspiring, and I cannot deny I took positive things from his talk. While he might not have been really talking to my demographic, I understand these problems transcend race, and people can only speak from experience, which his is quite different from mine. I hope his words inspired every young person in the room to overcome any obstacles that may cross their paths. It makes me realize how many less obstacles I, as a white male, have to overcome if I wished to be whatever I wanted, and it is quite sickening. Why I should have more of a chance than any other race or gender is disgusting, and unfair, and perhaps that was the lesson, I, personally, was supposed to get out of his performance.
Awareness and Realization.
I guess the next step is action.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Defending Disney
Why would anyone defend the corporate giant Disney? Did people feel like it was taking away some part of their childhood to learn some awful truth about people that cared nothing about their well being? Perhaps it is true, maybe some of the people shown in the documentary were looking to much into Disney but the facts are these movies produced unfavorable and hurtful feelings in individuals regardless if we feel the same way or not, shouldn't their feelings be taken into account? Or did people write them off as crazy people with nothing better to do?
Sounds like a massive case of Stockholm syndrome to me. Take it from the Disney CEO himself! "We are not here to entertain people, we are not here to be role models. He are here to make money." Why would anyone defend someone who so blatantly cares not for anyone or anything besides money?
Let's look at Disney in the 30's 40's and 50's. Obvious and extreme racism was found in their movies and cartoons. I find it hard to defend someone against the same accusations when it was so prevalent in their past.
I wish we could get down to brass tacks in the classroom discussions. Whether or not individual people in the classroom found it racist or sexist or not, the facts are that same; some people do. So if these films are making bad reactions to some people, any people, shouldn't we as "well adjusted and intelligent" adults find the fault in that and realize something is wrong with this. Even if it wasn't you, think about the children in Africa watching this. Think about the kids in Asia watching lady and the tramp with poor depictions of slanted-eyed buck toothed Siamese cats.
With such a global presence there must be responsibility. To me, I really don't care if you watched Disney your whole life and turned out perfect, the fact that these films are making people feel bad about themselves; this is my main concern.
I find a parallel in defending America's depiction and use of Native American themes. I have heard people say it is not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. It all depends on if it is hurting the Native Americans, are feelings are irrelevant and frankly blinding to the facts.
The fact that it is hurting children regardless if it hurt us as children should be the only thing we are focusing on. It should be our duty to expose and bring awareness to the faults and racism Disney represents. I wish people could remember, Disney doesn't care who you are. They don't care if you live or die, offend you, or make you self conscience and ashamed to be who you are. Like everyone else they care about money, and i think it is up to us, "well adjusted intelligent people" or at least educated people, to be the ones to stand up to atrocities we find to be hurting others.
Sounds like a massive case of Stockholm syndrome to me. Take it from the Disney CEO himself! "We are not here to entertain people, we are not here to be role models. He are here to make money." Why would anyone defend someone who so blatantly cares not for anyone or anything besides money?
Let's look at Disney in the 30's 40's and 50's. Obvious and extreme racism was found in their movies and cartoons. I find it hard to defend someone against the same accusations when it was so prevalent in their past.
I wish we could get down to brass tacks in the classroom discussions. Whether or not individual people in the classroom found it racist or sexist or not, the facts are that same; some people do. So if these films are making bad reactions to some people, any people, shouldn't we as "well adjusted and intelligent" adults find the fault in that and realize something is wrong with this. Even if it wasn't you, think about the children in Africa watching this. Think about the kids in Asia watching lady and the tramp with poor depictions of slanted-eyed buck toothed Siamese cats.
With such a global presence there must be responsibility. To me, I really don't care if you watched Disney your whole life and turned out perfect, the fact that these films are making people feel bad about themselves; this is my main concern.
I find a parallel in defending America's depiction and use of Native American themes. I have heard people say it is not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. It all depends on if it is hurting the Native Americans, are feelings are irrelevant and frankly blinding to the facts.
The fact that it is hurting children regardless if it hurt us as children should be the only thing we are focusing on. It should be our duty to expose and bring awareness to the faults and racism Disney represents. I wish people could remember, Disney doesn't care who you are. They don't care if you live or die, offend you, or make you self conscience and ashamed to be who you are. Like everyone else they care about money, and i think it is up to us, "well adjusted intelligent people" or at least educated people, to be the ones to stand up to atrocities we find to be hurting others.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Misogyny
Women have always been at a more vulnerable position than men, I think first, if we look back into history, because of the fact that men were bigger, stronger, and probably forced women to do things by force.
Now that we don't live in that type of society misogyny is purely socially constructed. Now that men are in a position where being bigger and stronger is meaningless, men have found other ways to try to "keep women down." I am not sure why men are so intimidated by women that are superior to them in any way but this insecurity is hurtful and is the cause to bodily harm, verbal attacks and any other misogynistic acts you can think of.
By comparison, how we think it is crazy that the first nation to allow women to vote was the isle of man in 1881 and New Zealand in 1893, nations like Saudi Arabia still have no womens suffrage. Even the USSR had womens suffrage, and many countries that got swallowed by the soviet giant gained the right to vote.
How do we break through to men? I am not sure but seeing that documentary certainly opened my eyes even more to the damage that is continuously being done to women. For some strange reason, I feel like top CEO's of fortune 500 companies wouldn't sit the hour to watch that film. Male insecurities are so rampant, especially in big business America, it is pretty hard to get those men to do anything that could be considered morally correct. Taking bailout money and giving your CEO's raises while others are getting fired just shows what type of men these are, but it is not just the top dogs. Misogyny transcends race and class. It happens it all facets of life. I think maybe one of the saving graces could be upbringing. How young men are raised will be a huge factor in fixing this problem.
Another solution would be to see talentless jackasses for who they really are -^
Anything to make a buck says the publisher. Or America in general.
Another reason this problem is perpetuated, might be the lack of responsibility of women. Again, I am not saying this is the victims fault, but this is a collective problem where everyone plays their part. The women acting in those WWE events need to know how this is going to resonate and possibly hurt women everywhere. From personal experience I have seen the lets just say less moral girls of my schools continously putting themselves in unsavory positions, laughing about it, and continuing it to let it happen. What seems like no self respect sometimes makes men, he ones along the same morality level, think it is ok to treat women like that.
It is everyones problem and we all need to fix it.
Now that we don't live in that type of society misogyny is purely socially constructed. Now that men are in a position where being bigger and stronger is meaningless, men have found other ways to try to "keep women down." I am not sure why men are so intimidated by women that are superior to them in any way but this insecurity is hurtful and is the cause to bodily harm, verbal attacks and any other misogynistic acts you can think of.
By comparison, how we think it is crazy that the first nation to allow women to vote was the isle of man in 1881 and New Zealand in 1893, nations like Saudi Arabia still have no womens suffrage. Even the USSR had womens suffrage, and many countries that got swallowed by the soviet giant gained the right to vote.
How do we break through to men? I am not sure but seeing that documentary certainly opened my eyes even more to the damage that is continuously being done to women. For some strange reason, I feel like top CEO's of fortune 500 companies wouldn't sit the hour to watch that film. Male insecurities are so rampant, especially in big business America, it is pretty hard to get those men to do anything that could be considered morally correct. Taking bailout money and giving your CEO's raises while others are getting fired just shows what type of men these are, but it is not just the top dogs. Misogyny transcends race and class. It happens it all facets of life. I think maybe one of the saving graces could be upbringing. How young men are raised will be a huge factor in fixing this problem.
Another solution would be to see talentless jackasses for who they really are -^
Anything to make a buck says the publisher. Or America in general.
Another reason this problem is perpetuated, might be the lack of responsibility of women. Again, I am not saying this is the victims fault, but this is a collective problem where everyone plays their part. The women acting in those WWE events need to know how this is going to resonate and possibly hurt women everywhere. From personal experience I have seen the lets just say less moral girls of my schools continously putting themselves in unsavory positions, laughing about it, and continuing it to let it happen. What seems like no self respect sometimes makes men, he ones along the same morality level, think it is ok to treat women like that.
It is everyones problem and we all need to fix it.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tough Guise
Regardless of what people were saying in class, almost everything in that video was true. When people disputed the fact that some hip hop culture comes from old mob movies, all I have to do is think about high school and how every young boys answer to "what's your favorite movie?" they would say Scarface or the Godfather. Personally I found Scarface as a poor piece of film, while the Godfather held good cinematic value.
It is not until later in life, mid-twenties, perhaps later, that men start being able to be themselves. It is the same complex of how women dress to impress other women, not in a sexual way but as competition. All it is, is insecurity and competition among males. This is genetic it is the most basic part of humans. The competition for a mate. We don't compete against other females, we compete against other males so it only makes sense that young men need to feel macho and tough and feel it necessary to call others "pussies" or "wusses" or "fags" or any number of slanderous words that causes nothing but pain for the other person.
I am perplexed that any male could dispute this fact at all. We all know it to be true, and I feel like the males that deny it are the ones most influenced by the "tough guise." I'm sure some males never grow out of it. Insecurity doesn't have an age limit, and I am sure middle aged men feel this as much as young men.
Now, about the movie Rocky. I am not sure if he didn't check his facts but Rocky, the classic underdog story, lost to Apollo Creed!!! Has he never seen the movie? Sylvester stallone wrote and directed an amazing film about perseverance and he tried to chalk it up as some macho B.S. Rambo, ok I see the point there, but stay away from Rocky.
It is not until later in life, mid-twenties, perhaps later, that men start being able to be themselves. It is the same complex of how women dress to impress other women, not in a sexual way but as competition. All it is, is insecurity and competition among males. This is genetic it is the most basic part of humans. The competition for a mate. We don't compete against other females, we compete against other males so it only makes sense that young men need to feel macho and tough and feel it necessary to call others "pussies" or "wusses" or "fags" or any number of slanderous words that causes nothing but pain for the other person.
I am perplexed that any male could dispute this fact at all. We all know it to be true, and I feel like the males that deny it are the ones most influenced by the "tough guise." I'm sure some males never grow out of it. Insecurity doesn't have an age limit, and I am sure middle aged men feel this as much as young men.
Now, about the movie Rocky. I am not sure if he didn't check his facts but Rocky, the classic underdog story, lost to Apollo Creed!!! Has he never seen the movie? Sylvester stallone wrote and directed an amazing film about perseverance and he tried to chalk it up as some macho B.S. Rambo, ok I see the point there, but stay away from Rocky.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Gay and Lesbian in Popular culture
After watching the film on gay. lesbian, and transgendered people, I e-mailed my friend who is involved with the documentary March On, about gay and Lesbian rights. What I got was that it is not only a fight for the right of gays and Lesbians, but a fight for equality for everyone in our nation. The problem isn't singular, it is everyone including ourselves for letting the government, ad agencies, the population get away with this inappropriate behavior.
Can you just tell me a little about your involvement in the documentary and the March in D.C.?
On October 11, 2009, the National Equality March took place in Washington, DC. I was there as the Audio Field Engineer for an independent documentary titled, 'March On'. In which, we followed five families on their journey to Washington, as well as shedding light on the core issues facing the equal rights movement in America today.
What is the main cause of the movement, what are they fighting to achieve?
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"
...that's the 14th amendment to the constitution, that's essentially what we want.
How do you think this will affect America's identity, if it will at all?
Outside the US, any forward movement will be viewed as something that should have occurred long ago. A vast majority of other 'advanced' countries already have these laws in place...Meanwhile, our self-identity, in my opinion can only get better. Right now, It's much easier for a bully to justify his actions and intolerance when our own military doesn't allow an entire demographic of citizens to serve.
Did your opinion change or what did you learn from your involvement in contrast to your original thoughts on gay rights?
Before I arrived in DC, I did not really understand what was going on. Their problems didn't affect me directly as a straight, white male. Now, after learning about the issues, I'm of the opinion that it's not so much a gay/straight thing as it is a human rights issue. No one is equal until everyone is equal.
What do you think are the main pressures gay persons feel from American society?
It's difficult for me to answer this question, because I can not pretend that I understand what it's like to be ostracized and misunderstood by my friends, family, co-workers, etc...I guess the main problem we have to face as a united movement is the fact that most people just plain do not understand what is at stake.
Can you just tell me a little about your involvement in the documentary and the March in D.C.?
On October 11, 2009, the National Equality March took place in Washington, DC. I was there as the Audio Field Engineer for an independent documentary titled, 'March On'. In which, we followed five families on their journey to Washington, as well as shedding light on the core issues facing the equal rights movement in America today.
What is the main cause of the movement, what are they fighting to achieve?
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"
...that's the 14th amendment to the constitution, that's essentially what we want.
How do you think this will affect America's identity, if it will at all?
Outside the US, any forward movement will be viewed as something that should have occurred long ago. A vast majority of other 'advanced' countries already have these laws in place...Meanwhile, our self-identity, in my opinion can only get better. Right now, It's much easier for a bully to justify his actions and intolerance when our own military doesn't allow an entire demographic of citizens to serve.
Did your opinion change or what did you learn from your involvement in contrast to your original thoughts on gay rights?
Before I arrived in DC, I did not really understand what was going on. Their problems didn't affect me directly as a straight, white male. Now, after learning about the issues, I'm of the opinion that it's not so much a gay/straight thing as it is a human rights issue. No one is equal until everyone is equal.
What do you think are the main pressures gay persons feel from American society?
It's difficult for me to answer this question, because I can not pretend that I understand what it's like to be ostracized and misunderstood by my friends, family, co-workers, etc...I guess the main problem we have to face as a united movement is the fact that most people just plain do not understand what is at stake.
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