The Last Word

This class has been awesome. It has been so eye opening. Everyone came from a different background, from different ethnicities, and different genders. It was so great to be able to hear everyone’s different opinions and it really helped me shape my own as well. We have focused on Race, Gender, and the Media, all topics that are considered taboo in any other class. Its so cool that we have a class like this offered to students, especially us going into the journalism field, to educate ourselves in how to treat and be treated by others. We have discussed so much this semester that it will be hard to pick out the information that has helped me the most, but I will try here in this blog.

 

            When it comes to gender in the media, I am post passionate about how the media represents women in particular. I am so grateful for the people at Dove. Their campaign for real beauty has been instrumental in beginning to change the way women are portrayed in the media and in changing the ways women view images in the media. As discussed in class and in numerous final projects, the media constantly enforces the image that women should be tan, blonde, a size -2, with a big chest. And unfortunately for the media, only about 5 women look that way (see Heidi Klum…). Therefore, it is our job to change that. We need more women like Kate Winslet, Scarlett Johansson, and Queen Latifa that are NOT a size 0, and are still represented in the media as being beautiful. I wish I saw more of Dove’s work on college campuses as well. Since practically everyone’s fights the freshman 15, there’s constantly an image problem also being combated at the same time. If Dove’s campaign was to appear on college campuses, I would also hope that there would be some sort of healthy lifestyle education taught as well.

 

            As far as racial stereotypes in the media goes, American culture has made leaps and bounds towards equality, but there is still much room to grow. As a lot of discussions have talked about, the media is still so guilty of inequality and inter-racial favoritism. One group even took it a step further and discussed inter-racial favoritism. This is a particular interesting phenomenon. I was also intrigued by one groups research of US news stations compared to the BBC. According to the group’s findings, the BBC is far more diverse and equal in their coverage of all minority groups than in the US.  To me this is so significant, and slightly embarrassing. What are we doing wrong? Again, it is up to us, the new journalistic generation, to make this change. I feel music has a huge responsibility in changing this, but they also have the greatest challenge. They make money off of these stereotypes so it will be hard for them to trust this change. But once the shift is made, then there wont be anything to compare it too! Again, it is up to us to make this change a reality.

 

In conclusion, this class has offered me such education into the power of the media. More importantly, it has introduced to me the responsibility that we as journalists and media professionals have. We are the generation to make this change. Bloging has really introduced me to the power and control the media has and how easy it is to get my voice out there. I’m really thankful for the opportunity for this class and I can’t wait to make my impact on the media world. 

The answer is all in the ads...

Blog 5

 

            The first medium I surveyed was Vogue. Wow is all I have to say. I kept thinking back to the video we watched in class about minorities and women in advertisements. Just like that video, almost every single advertisement was a skinny, white female in a promiscuous position or in a submissive pose. Maybe this is because Vogues target audience could be white females so that’s what they advertise towards, but I highly doubt that. This monotonous tone in advertisements is most likely due to the media moguls fear of losing their audience by placing minorities in their advertisements- which is a totally ridiculous fear. By strictly placing whites or white females in sexual or submissive poses, they are just placing emphasis on their fear, in an awful downward spiral. I also noticed that if there were minorities in the advertisements, they were almost always a famous figure in today’s pop culture- making it “socially acceptable” to look up to them.

 

Advertisements In Vogue-

Prevage Body Elizabeth Arden Anti-Aging Moisturizer- The was one of the most blatantly offensive ad’s I saw. The name alone, “Anti-Aging”, sends the message that looking older is not desirable and that women should do everything in their power to stay looking young. This ad featured the naked backside of a model and had arrows pointing out all of the problem areas that every woman deals with. Everything that every woman naturally battles, this advertisement pointed out in a derogatory manner, making things that were perfectly natural seem like s problem area that only their miracle cream can fix.

 

 Michael Kors Clothing- Two women in close contact, insinuating sexuality associated with the wearing of this brand.

 

Jessica Simpson “Juicy” Cologne- In this ever-so “All American” advertisement, a famous bubbly blonde is laying down with a come hither look, all to promote her new scent called “Juicy”- obviously not describing a juicy fruit….. This exploits women, and feeds into the advertising motto: ”Sex sells.”

 

Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition Mascara- This ad was virtually the only advertisement I could find in this magazine that feathres an African Amerian woman. And that woman happened to be none other than Oscar winner Halle Berry. The caption reads, “Lashes you lust after,” promoting not only eyelashes, but that lust is a desireable power women should exert over men. Even the name, Lash FANTASY, eludes to the thought of sexual fantasies. Again, the age old “sex sells” method is at play in this ad.

 

Advertisements in Rolling Stone-

The advertisements in Rolling Stone were a lot different than those in Vogue. Also, a lot better I though. Don’t get me wrong, there were still more whites featured in these ads, but there were also more diverse ads, and also ads that weren’t using sex to sell. They were smarter and I think geared more towards a more educated and open consumer.

 

Just Cavalli- Instead of featuring women, this advertisement featured only men. But the models in this ad were portraying the skinny-on-drugs, grunge rocker. They all looked sickly and depressed. I guess people think that being a addicted rocker is a good thing, but this advertisement did not appeal to me and just gave a bad image of musicians.

 

DKNY Jeans- This advertisement featured men, women, and minorities. There were 2 men and 2 women. The men were standing tall, with their shoulders back and also elevated higher than the women. The women were hunched over, with “come-hither” looks on their over-makeup’d faces. This enforces the stereotype of men dominating women.

 

Television Commercials-

Hardee’s Western bacon Six Dollar Burger- This commercial featured a famous Latina model eating a Hardee’s burger. But it wasn’t just eating, she was licking her fingers, and eluding to sexual acts while eating this burger. They had her sitting spread leg in a dress on some stairs. This was a very degrading commercial to women, not to mention the fact that nobody who regularly eats those burgers could look like that… nobody.

 

Kohl’ for Candiees- featuring young white an d black girls, playfully dancing and running around together, but wearing clothes that were much to old for them.

 

Verizon Rhapsody Commercial- Great representation of mixed races- all using the same product.

 

Watching these ads confirmed what we have learned in class. Minorities are not usually given the same treatment in advertisements. If a male and female are in an ad, the male gets the dominant role. If a white and a minority are in the same ad, the white is given the dominant role. Especially in fashion and makeup ads, white women are considered the beautiful norm and are usually used. And if black women are featured, they are usually famous. If our country is going to say that we have changed, and that we can “see past color and gender”, then we need to start acting like it. 

News Assignment/Reflection

This assignment was very eye opening and surprising. The amount of racial slurs was surprising to me. There was also a difference in the way members of different ethnic groups referred to themselves and others, versus the way members of other groups did. For example, just like we talked about in class, the terms “African American”, and “Black” are really preferential. Another shocking thing to me was how underhandedly racist some reporters and witnesses can be. It was not in an obvious way, but more in a way that represents how commonly racist their everyday lives and communities are. It was usually not intentional, which just represents how behind the times the older generations can be and how blind they are to the racist comments and slurs they project every day.

            I am very pleased with my selections of location to watch the news. My news cast was located in a smaller suburb of Dallas, Tx, but it also covered Dallas and state wide and country wide news which gave me a variety of crimes and coverage. I got to watch coverage over smaller, non violent crimes, all the way up to major government corruptions. When covering crimes over high profile whites, by white reporters, they related to their suspects race and tended to lean more towards a reason, or at least an understanding of the crime, in order to make it seem less severe than it really is. Conversely, when a white reporter covered a crime committed by a person of a different race, they used a more condescending and judgmental tone.

            This was a very good experience for me and taught me to watch newscasts with a more critical eye. 

Fools Gold

Watching these videos was almost painful. Although I was not blind to the events of which these videos touched on, it was very eye opening to see what our country had fallen victim to.

            According to our videos, a small handful of mega corporations are the ones who determine what music we listen to, what news we watch, and whose opinions we hear. And it doesn’t take a genius to guess whose views, opinions, and news we are exposed to. And that is so wrong. We need a media that specifically represents different interests of people with different backgrounds, lifestyles, and cultures, than our own. If we are only constantly fed back what we already know, then how are we supposed to grow, learn, experience, and increase our cultural wealth as individuals and as a country? Maybe an outreach effort by the people could influence the mainstream media to change its monogamous ways. If they see that we are becoming bored with their repeated antics, then possibly we can convince them to broaden their horizons- expand their catalogue of information, news, and entertainment they are constantly bombarding us with each and every day. 

One of the most upsetting discussions I saw in the videos was that of the propaganda of the 9/11 tragedy. The scene of Bush’s scripted press conference hit me especially hard. Journalists were put in such an awful position. They wanted to provide the news, the TRUTH, to the people. But if they ever overstepped into the safety bubble blown up over our government in the time of war, they were labeled as unpatriotic and against our freedom and our government’s attempts to preserve it. Steps were even taken to dissuade images and talks of casualties from being on the front pages of newspapers and magazines. And if they were to be shown or talked about, they should be evenly balanced with reminders of 9/11. Thankfully, more articles, speeches, and videos are being made like the ones we watched for class to shed light on this terrible issue. But although discussion is now taking place, we are still not done.

            The media is taking great strides in covering recent social protests. One such protest which comes to mind is the medias coverage and objection to California’s Proposition Eight. This proposition is trying to restrict the right of legal marriage to just opposite-sex marriages. Thankfully it seems that everywhere I turn, there is another commercial, advertisement, speech, or celebrity endorsement pleading for financial and other such support to spread the word against Proposition Eight.  

Even during the Civil Rights Movement, it seems the some of the media really helped publicize the efforts of leaders such as Martin Luther King.  One such media was the radio, i.e. 1690 WVON. One of the videos we watched highlighted this particular radio station as still being a leading minority form of media, of which we are desperately in need of more. These mediums provide a vessel and a voice for minority groups that are often shut out, over looked, or drown out by the short-sightedness of mainstream media       

Reflection:

            I really enjoyed this assignment and these videos. As painful and eye-opening as they were to watch, I believe that their messages were something that should be shown in every school, business, and on every station across the country. It is sad but true that money is power in this country. It’s true what they say, “whoever has the gold makes the rules”. And it appears to be that whoever has the gold makes the media in this country. 

Examples Of Stereotypes In Our Every Day Life

Monday- Feb. 23

1) Personal Conversation with Claire _____

Friends house. 10:30 PM

Conversation about marriage and relationships/ roles of the man and women in the relationship

Gender Stereotype

 

2) Television

E! 1:00 AM

The Girls Next Door

In interview, Kendra exaggerates and enforces the dumb promiscuous blonde

Gender stereotype

 

Tuesday- Feb. 24

1) Internet 12:30 PM

http://www.hollywoodcelebgossips.com/2009/02/03/miley-cyrus-racist-miley-cyrus-mocking-asian-photo/

Picture and discussion of Miley Cyrus’s offensive picture

Racial Assumption/stereotype

 

2) Billboard

I-35 Dallas, TX, 5:00 PM

“Ricks Cabaret Premiere Gentlemen’s Club”

Contained pictures that caused severe exploitation of women- limited clothing, provocative positions

Gender Stereotype

Wednesday- Feb. 25

1) MTV, 11:30 PM

Television

Singles Hotline Commercial-

Very inappropriate images of women, scantily dressed, with inappropriate sexual innuendos

Gender Stereotypes

 

2) Classroom Experience

Intro to Philosophy Wednesday’s 6:30-9:20

Classroom Experience Profess. Hussain

Class Discussion about students rights to bear arms on a college campus

Racial assumption/stereotypes

Thursday- Feb. 26

1) Personal Conversation with friend 3:45 PM

Starbucks on Boyd

Conversation about customers that come into her store

Racial assumptions/ stereotypes

 

2) Film, 10:30 PM

“Guess Who”  2005, (Bernie Mac, Ashton Kutcher)

Scene between Ashton’s character and his Boss- boss disapproves of his girlfriend just because of the color of her skin.

Racial assumption/stereotype

 

Friday- Feb. 27

1) Television

TBS, 11:00 AM

Home Improvement Episode

The “Man Episode” on Tool Time- Female assistant made to dress scantily and is made to do the cooking

Gender stereotype

 

2) Film 3:30 PM

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (2008)

Beginning scenes while in the airport- Directed towards Kumar being Indian

Racial assumptions/stereotypes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LC5qv1dmzk&feature=related

 

Reflection:

            I was very surprised at the vast amount of racial and gender stereotypes that I found every day, all around me. It was almost harder to choose which examples to use, than to find any. But I hadn’t really started to take notice to all of these stereotypes and assumptions until this class opened my eyes and asked me to look around and evaluate the media. It is sad but these stereotypes have become so much of our society and culture. Especially in advertisements, movies, and pop culture- like MTV- these stereotypes are most prevalent. 

            I have not personally experienced many stereotypes lately, but I have witnessed plenty. It shocks me and makes me sad because our society should be past that.  I don’t see it as much with my generation, but I find it more with the older generations. My parents and grandparents grew up in small towns, where racism was still strongly prevalent. And in their world, the women stayed home, had dinner on the table, and raised the children while the men went off to work. But today it is good to see how progressed our culture is. Most women I know would feel disrespected if their husbands or boyfriends demanded they cooked and raised the children. I know I would. Our schools are integrated, “separate but equal” is a phrase looked down upon, and at least in my daily life, racial slurs are hardly prevalent.

            One of the tragic things about these stereotypes represented in the media is that they create a spiraling effect, enforcing and feeding them to the American public. The media has so much power because we are all surrounded by it all the time. The public looks to the media for instruction on how to act, dress, eat, groom, and so much more. When the media feeds us these stereotypes, we begin to think that they are the norm, and that the stereotypes represent the whole. Often, these stereotypes have gotten it all wrong. If only the media would use its power for “good” instead of “evil”, then maybe our society could take a more progressive step forward, and rid our country, and our world, of these judgmental and hurtful assumptions and stereotypes. 

Links: I highly recommend visiting the links that I posted, which each go along with their prospective stereotype example. They are both a good example of how crude and easy to find these stereotypes can be. 

Race-based Admissions

 The following Big 12 universities do NOT have a race-based admissions process:

Texas A&M- NO

University of Texas- NO

Texas Tech- NO

Baylor University- NO

Iowa State University- NO
University of Kansas- NO

Although in this day and age, a race-based college admissions process seems racist and way past our time, the fight is still alive and well. The current argument is now between getting the SAT out of a college admissions application because some feel that is is biased against minorities, while others feel it is not. 

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_11_18/ai_84184997

http://www.ku.edu/

"Wise" Up

This week in class, we got the opportunity to watch a filmed lecture from famed lecturer, Tim Wise. One of Mr. Wise’s main topics was that of privilege.   From what I got out of his speech, privilege is the difference of treatment and judgment people get, just because of the color of their skin.  He mentioned many examples, some of which have been kept under wraps by today’s media. If the mother of a white upper-middle class man happens to die in a hospital or nursing home due to neglect, it appears all over the news. But where was CNN whenever 1 million African Americans died in hospitals last year due to the same neglectful treatment??? Wise also mentioned the that police officers pull over, search, and assume that minorities are drinking and driving and contain illegal substances, when in fact white men are more apt to be doing those things. During a road block, the unsuspecting white man smiles, waves, and drives off with a trunk full of weed while the Latino working man is humiliated by being publicly search and ridiculed, and is found to be innocent.

            Media was also discussed in class, and by Mr. Wise. Our  class was asked the question of if we could remember the last time an Asian man had a romantic scene on screen in an American film or TV show. Hardly anybody could. Why is this? The only romance scenes I can remember are with Brat Pitt, George Clooney, or Jake Gyllenhaal. Although, Will Smith WAS just claimed the highest-paid actor  by Forbes magazine… As mentioned earlier, the media jumps all over the white man’s neglected grandmother while the millions of minority deaths are left uninvestigated. And remember all those horrible school shootings, bombings, and sniper incidence in the recent past? All committed by white males. But yet we don’t look at the white males in our neighborhood and shake our heads at those hoodlums. No. We point our finger across the tracks and blame the minorities for our mistakes. The media has lots of power, and if it would only flex that muscle, maybe it could help to change this unfair path of white privilege.

 

Lately I have been keeping my eye out for privileges I have seen or heard around me. Not only have I seen privilege by race, but by bank account and zip code. Now some of these may seem minute and caddy, but they are privilege non the less.

1. I saw a store clerk help the nicely dressed mother and daughter, while completely ignore the Latino girl clearly needing assistance.

2. A under qualified student got an internship just because their father knew someone, while a perfectly qualified student did not even get an interview.

3. A well known family’s teenage daughter gets pregnant and it is just another “trial”, while other families are looked down upon as being irresponsible.

4. A member of a family with power is able to get out of a huge felony with nothing but a scratch on their record, while a black teenager is put behind bars for a petty crime because he is believed to be a “danger to society”.

5. A girl is praised at  work because she is cute, while another one is criticized on things she did not even do, because she is not as good-looking.

6. A worker at an information table set up in a public place goes out of his way to talk to a group of cute girls about what he is promoting, but is short and almost rude to a group of a different race that walked up.

7. A person cut ahead in a line of people waiting to order food, but when another student of a different race is just trying to cut THROUGH the line to get somewhere else, people stop him and tell him not to cut.

8. An Indian person walked by and a group of white boys proceed to mutter terrorist comments at his expense.

A lot of these are things that I would not notice, or even acknowledge as privilege unless I was informed about this problem in class and asked to look for it. The ease of finding these examples of privilege is shocking to me.

 

            I don’t think that society still believes in the one drop rule, but I am sure there are still a few individuals out there that secretly practice this horrific tradition behind closed doors- just like those white residents in the neighborhood across the road from one which was full of minorities, who tried to pass a rule that only relatives could reside in their neighborhood too.

 

            I completely agree with Beverly Tatum’s suggestion that we as adults have a responsibility to educate ourselves and then change our behavior based on this new awareness. This class is a perfect example of that. I am already opening my eyes to injustices, but also strives we have made towards equality. It takes getting educated and informing yourself and others on the injustices of our world before discussion, action, and change can occur.  

http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege-updated

http://www.afro-netizen.com/2008/07/tim-wise-on-whi.html