Even though it seemed during discussions that people were dancing around the actual answer, I think it's fairly obvious that the media is where we get our ideas and standards of what is beautiful and what is not. I think that the media and advertisers target human nature, and the desire everyone, especially women, has to look better.
I can understand that this affects teens and younger women more than others. For me personally, I find myself at 24 not caring about what the media tells me is pretty, but caring about how I find myself pretty. I wear makeup, I get up early to shower and do my hair in the morning, but I do it for myself because that's how I feel best, not to look like someone in an ad...because that's just not going to happen. I've realized this but I know that others may not realize this yet. The media shows us this unattainable standard and I think there are many women and girls who are unable to separate this from real life.
The fashion industry, I'm afraid, will never change. Designers are always going to want skinny models, and will always make their clothes in tiny sizes. Why? I have no idea, but I just don't see this standard ever changing, regardless of how skeletal models are looking these days. I have a friend who is a fashion designer, and I remember reading a Facebook update someone in his entourage had posted. I'm not easily offended but this one kind of struck me as "not okay." The post said something along the lines of "Models shouldn't be allowed food. They should be given a pack of Marlboro Lights and a diet coke." This just struck me as completely objectifying models as nothing more than mannequins, not people.
During the summer, I did a little (very little) modeling for another designer friend of mine and at that time in my life, I somehow became obsessed with working out and would beat myself up mentally for eating something I saw as "wrong." I've been an off and on vegetarian/vegan for years so eating healthy has always been a part of my life but during the summer, I took it completely overboard. I found myself working out twice a day, doing nothing but cardio and eating a strict diet. I've never been overweight, I'm just built as a small person, and I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking in that I needed to lose weight. I guess I just wanted to keep modeling, so I thought I needed to be as small as small can be. I'm not proud of this time in my life, but thankfully, after a beach vacation with my family, my mother lovingly told me I looked anorexic and that was just the slap in the face I needed to start seeing the real me as beautiful again.
It breaks my heart to see young girls beat themselves up over their appearance but I think that as long as they grow up with a family who reinforces that they are beautiful just the way they are, and through growing up in general, they will eventually realize that the images in magazines and television are as real as the Tooth Fairy.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Media History
Although very long, I enjoyed the documentary we watched in class about the black newspaper. I didn't know this aspect of black media existed, and for so many years. All of the journalists who were interviewed seemed to have really enjoyed what they did and took pride in reporting the news that was being ignored by the mainstream press. Something that struck a chord with me were the cartoons they discusses being in white newspaper, painting a very derogatory picture of black people. I am currently taking an ethnomusicology class as an elective, (Popular Music in American Culture) and we recently discussed "black face" and this type of character and how popular it was in so many minstrel shows throughout the United States. I think it's this image of a black person that appeared in these shows, loud, clumsy, etc., that has carried through so many years and has given people this ridiculous stereotype, and gave way to the images that were painted in these newspaper cartoons.
It was obvious that the Mexican sportscaster story struck some chords with people yesterday. In my opinion, based upon her Today Show interview, it didn't seem like it bothered her that much. Harassment is a really broad term but I don't feel like "cat calls," whether in a locker room or not, is harassment. A lady can walk down the street and men will whistle or whatever else. I just think this was blown WAY out of proportion.
It was obvious that the Mexican sportscaster story struck some chords with people yesterday. In my opinion, based upon her Today Show interview, it didn't seem like it bothered her that much. Harassment is a really broad term but I don't feel like "cat calls," whether in a locker room or not, is harassment. A lady can walk down the street and men will whistle or whatever else. I just think this was blown WAY out of proportion.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Gender Discussions
I found myself having many more opinions over this topic than I honestly thought I would. First, on the topic of the dance team on the cover of the alumni magazine. I didn't, by any means, find this offensive or inappropriate. Having been a dancer in high school, and at one time having the dream of going to Kilgore Junior College to be a Kilgore Rangerette, I know that sports bra's and shorts are just the way many dancer's practice. Dancers are athletes, they work hard, so no, they aren't going to practice is bulky sweats or something like that. I don't know much about this particular dance team, but from what I've heard, it seems they are a very prestigious team and would be of interest to many people.
During the video we watched during class, the one statistic that stuck out to me was the one that mentioned that girls between the ages of 9 and 10 have tried to lose weight. That's kind of shocking to me. When I was 9 or 10, my weight was the last thing on my mind. Granted, I've always been a small person, but still, this shouldn't be something that kids this age worry about, unless it is significantly affecting their health (childhood obesity, diabetes, etc.). It wasn't said but I am assuming that that statistic dealt with girls who didn't have these health problems and just wanted to lose weight so they can look like the images they see on television? That's heartbreaking, but I think that at that point, parents should step in and tell their children how beautiful they are on their own, and the images they see on t.v. aren't real.
Now, of course, what woman wouldn't want to look like a Victoria's Secret model or something like that? But, I think people need to wise up and realize that it's not going to happen. Everyone has their insecurities, but the older I've gotten, the more I've learned to be happy with myself. I get up early, I take a shower, fix my hair, put on a little makeup, and I care about my clothing, but I'm not dressing up for anyone but myself.
Finally, the photo of Erin Burnett in the Vanity Fair article. Yes, she was sitting very seductive, yes that dress was beautiful and not one she would wear while running the floors of the stock market, BUT, it was Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair is a fashion type magazine, it's a bit provocative, so it was no surprise to me that this photo was in the article. I saw nothing wrong with it, or the photo of Maria Bartoromo. Maria appeared like a strong business woman, and I think that's probably an accurate depiction of who she is.
During the video we watched during class, the one statistic that stuck out to me was the one that mentioned that girls between the ages of 9 and 10 have tried to lose weight. That's kind of shocking to me. When I was 9 or 10, my weight was the last thing on my mind. Granted, I've always been a small person, but still, this shouldn't be something that kids this age worry about, unless it is significantly affecting their health (childhood obesity, diabetes, etc.). It wasn't said but I am assuming that that statistic dealt with girls who didn't have these health problems and just wanted to lose weight so they can look like the images they see on television? That's heartbreaking, but I think that at that point, parents should step in and tell their children how beautiful they are on their own, and the images they see on t.v. aren't real.
Now, of course, what woman wouldn't want to look like a Victoria's Secret model or something like that? But, I think people need to wise up and realize that it's not going to happen. Everyone has their insecurities, but the older I've gotten, the more I've learned to be happy with myself. I get up early, I take a shower, fix my hair, put on a little makeup, and I care about my clothing, but I'm not dressing up for anyone but myself.
Finally, the photo of Erin Burnett in the Vanity Fair article. Yes, she was sitting very seductive, yes that dress was beautiful and not one she would wear while running the floors of the stock market, BUT, it was Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair is a fashion type magazine, it's a bit provocative, so it was no surprise to me that this photo was in the article. I saw nothing wrong with it, or the photo of Maria Bartoromo. Maria appeared like a strong business woman, and I think that's probably an accurate depiction of who she is.
Friday, September 3, 2010
"This is Alabama, we speak English..."
So here we are in the second week of 4250, and I'm posting for the first time. I apologize for not posting last week, I was a bit unclear as to whether or not we needed to blog after the first class, or simply set up our blog. I obviously accomplished the latter...
Anyway, last's nights class proved to me that this will be an interesting and fun class as many opinions will be shared, and thus lead to great discussions. First, let's talk about the video shown at the beginning of class, with the politician who seemed to legitimately believed that everyone in Alabama must speak English, therefore driver's tests should only be offered in English. As hilarious as this video was to all of us, I can see members of my fathers side of the family agreeing with this goober, as sad as that is. My fathers side of my family has always lived in the same, VERY rural parts of central Texas and haven't experienced much else, so needless to say, they are rather close-minded when it comes to things they aren't exposed to, or that aren't like them. My father, my grandfather, and many other members of my family are all intelligent human beings, however they haven't been educated beyond a typical high school education, so I suppose I see where they're close mindedness comes from. But, there is still no excuse for it..
Now, on to the rape news story out of Alabama. Of course this video makes me laugh, who wouldn't laugh at it? I think I would have laughed just the same regardless of the race or characteristics of the main character if they would have acted that way. Even though the rape story was a serious one, it made me think of this one...
As far as our group discussions went after watching the documentary, the question we discussed most was whether or not minorities are more likely to interview another minority source, or if women are more likely to interview other women, and so on. As many people mentioned, it is always comforting to talk to someone who appears to be like you, and I agree with this to a point. I feel MUCH more comfortable interviewing other women, and would be more comfortable walking up to a woman in an effort to ask a question. However, this doesn't have anything to do with any pre-conceived notions I may have of men, it's just a confidence issue for me. I don't have the confidence when it comes to approaching men. I never have...and I'm not entirely sure if I ever will. I immediately feel like the awkward girl, etc. etc. When it comes to approaching women for an interview or something of this nature, I really don't care what they think of me, so I ask my question and move on. Also, I wanted to make the point that race or ethnicity doesn't play into this at all for me. It doesn't matter what color the person is: a person is a person.
Until next week...
Anyway, last's nights class proved to me that this will be an interesting and fun class as many opinions will be shared, and thus lead to great discussions. First, let's talk about the video shown at the beginning of class, with the politician who seemed to legitimately believed that everyone in Alabama must speak English, therefore driver's tests should only be offered in English. As hilarious as this video was to all of us, I can see members of my fathers side of the family agreeing with this goober, as sad as that is. My fathers side of my family has always lived in the same, VERY rural parts of central Texas and haven't experienced much else, so needless to say, they are rather close-minded when it comes to things they aren't exposed to, or that aren't like them. My father, my grandfather, and many other members of my family are all intelligent human beings, however they haven't been educated beyond a typical high school education, so I suppose I see where they're close mindedness comes from. But, there is still no excuse for it..
Now, on to the rape news story out of Alabama. Of course this video makes me laugh, who wouldn't laugh at it? I think I would have laughed just the same regardless of the race or characteristics of the main character if they would have acted that way. Even though the rape story was a serious one, it made me think of this one...
As far as our group discussions went after watching the documentary, the question we discussed most was whether or not minorities are more likely to interview another minority source, or if women are more likely to interview other women, and so on. As many people mentioned, it is always comforting to talk to someone who appears to be like you, and I agree with this to a point. I feel MUCH more comfortable interviewing other women, and would be more comfortable walking up to a woman in an effort to ask a question. However, this doesn't have anything to do with any pre-conceived notions I may have of men, it's just a confidence issue for me. I don't have the confidence when it comes to approaching men. I never have...and I'm not entirely sure if I ever will. I immediately feel like the awkward girl, etc. etc. When it comes to approaching women for an interview or something of this nature, I really don't care what they think of me, so I ask my question and move on. Also, I wanted to make the point that race or ethnicity doesn't play into this at all for me. It doesn't matter what color the person is: a person is a person.
Until next week...
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