http://www.inquisitr.com/1219579/feminism-protest-shows-why-the-movement-is-dying/
This article is interesting to me for a couple reasons. First, I had never heard of this "former feminist, current men's rights advocate"and I also thought the article did a good job of pointing out the problem of generalizing feminism mixed with some sects bad arguing tactics that give all feminists a bad reputation. The article is essentially saying feminism is loosing people that emphasize for the cause and getting a bad reputation because some self proclaimed feminists idea of debating is yelling and "blowing a fog horn" when they do not agree rather than have a conversation regarding an opposing view. It is frustrating to hear the reddit opinions of feminism, and to hear some views of opposing thought, but this article points out the fact that having self discipline and making yourself have a real open conversation with opposing views will benefit all parties involved and eliminate some hostility.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Horrifically Offensive Old Cartoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sls5H4xVHys
First and foremost, this cartoon presents negative stereotypes, so trigger warned, proceed with caution.
Second, I can't believe this actually happened. While this cartoon is really old, it is amazing how little some of the negative stereotypes presented have survived to the modern day. Not only are African Americans portrayed as perpetually lazy (a stereotype probably originating at the time of slavery, ignoring the fact that anyone of any race would be tired if they were literally being worked to death), but they are portrayed as stupid as well. Notice how barely any of them can articulate anything, and even in this "Lazy Town" (as it is literally titled) there are senseless fights (if they can be called that) taking place. Also, pay careful attention to the way they are drawn. While at first they all have the "standard" big lips and buckteeth, they are gradually drawn less human and more animalistic, resembling monkeys (hence the racial slur). The woman to set them in motion is noticeably lighter skinned, more "typically" Caucasionally proportioned, and much more proactive. It is this surrogate white that brings betterment to the savage and lazy African Americans. Not only that, but she is focused on as a sexual figure, as men spring into action because they are attracted to her beauty. She is often fragmented, especially her legs and swaying hips. Class also plays a role, as the entire town looks impoverished, a precursor to the stereotypical modern ghetto. Intersectionality really plays a big role here.
Also, I wouldn't recommend reading the comments, as some people agree with the accuracy of the stereotypes and other people slam white people for being offended because they do not belong to the racial group mocked. To that person, what the hell. As a white person, I have not had to live with this portrayal and have not experienced this form of discrimination and thus cannot know what it is like, but that doesn't mean I can't be offended. In fact, if we were all more offended then maybe we could reduce things like this made in a modern context.
First and foremost, this cartoon presents negative stereotypes, so trigger warned, proceed with caution.
Second, I can't believe this actually happened. While this cartoon is really old, it is amazing how little some of the negative stereotypes presented have survived to the modern day. Not only are African Americans portrayed as perpetually lazy (a stereotype probably originating at the time of slavery, ignoring the fact that anyone of any race would be tired if they were literally being worked to death), but they are portrayed as stupid as well. Notice how barely any of them can articulate anything, and even in this "Lazy Town" (as it is literally titled) there are senseless fights (if they can be called that) taking place. Also, pay careful attention to the way they are drawn. While at first they all have the "standard" big lips and buckteeth, they are gradually drawn less human and more animalistic, resembling monkeys (hence the racial slur). The woman to set them in motion is noticeably lighter skinned, more "typically" Caucasionally proportioned, and much more proactive. It is this surrogate white that brings betterment to the savage and lazy African Americans. Not only that, but she is focused on as a sexual figure, as men spring into action because they are attracted to her beauty. She is often fragmented, especially her legs and swaying hips. Class also plays a role, as the entire town looks impoverished, a precursor to the stereotypical modern ghetto. Intersectionality really plays a big role here.
Also, I wouldn't recommend reading the comments, as some people agree with the accuracy of the stereotypes and other people slam white people for being offended because they do not belong to the racial group mocked. To that person, what the hell. As a white person, I have not had to live with this portrayal and have not experienced this form of discrimination and thus cannot know what it is like, but that doesn't mean I can't be offended. In fact, if we were all more offended then maybe we could reduce things like this made in a modern context.
Friday, April 18, 2014
How Make-Up can be Empowering
http://www.buzzfeed.com/micaela/how-makeup-can-actually-be-empowering
I stumbled upon this article on Buzzfeed, and it reminded me a lot about our conversations in class concerning how fixated our society is on "beauty" and society's definition of which traits are seen as beautiful. I really liked this article because I found things very realistic about it, yet obviously some problematic components as well. As the article shows, Melanie Murphy has been struggling with acne for several decades, which lowered her self-esteem, so she began to wear make-up in order to hide her acne and her scars. As someone who suffered with acne when I was younger, I completely understand her desire to wear make-up to hide her acne, especially if it helps boost her confidence. Like Murphy, I continue to wear make-up because I do like highlighting specific facial features or, I guess, "dressing up" when I go out with my friends. The issue I have, and continue to have, however, is that make-up can be necessary to fit the "beauty" mold that society outlines for us. Murphy wears make-up to hide her acne, but our society has a clear definition that having acne is an unattractive physical attribute, yet a number of people suffer from it. Where do you guys stand on the make-up debate? Is it good or bad to wear or does it depend on the reasons that surround them?
I stumbled upon this article on Buzzfeed, and it reminded me a lot about our conversations in class concerning how fixated our society is on "beauty" and society's definition of which traits are seen as beautiful. I really liked this article because I found things very realistic about it, yet obviously some problematic components as well. As the article shows, Melanie Murphy has been struggling with acne for several decades, which lowered her self-esteem, so she began to wear make-up in order to hide her acne and her scars. As someone who suffered with acne when I was younger, I completely understand her desire to wear make-up to hide her acne, especially if it helps boost her confidence. Like Murphy, I continue to wear make-up because I do like highlighting specific facial features or, I guess, "dressing up" when I go out with my friends. The issue I have, and continue to have, however, is that make-up can be necessary to fit the "beauty" mold that society outlines for us. Murphy wears make-up to hide her acne, but our society has a clear definition that having acne is an unattractive physical attribute, yet a number of people suffer from it. Where do you guys stand on the make-up debate? Is it good or bad to wear or does it depend on the reasons that surround them?
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Mother's Day
A video has been circulating Facebook about an advertisement for Mother's Day. It is a really adorable tribute to all of the fantastic things that our mothers do for us. I won't lie, on a very inherently emotional level, I kind of love this video. When the people started tearing up about how much they love their moms, I too got a little weepy. My favorite is the woman, who just goes "sorry, my mom is just the best".
On one hand, I think that it does a really wonderful job pointing out the amount of work that mothers do that they are not paid for. In some ways, I think that that it really is a great support for the argument that maybe mothers should get paid. They do more work than a typical COO might do!
On the other hand, I do think it has a few flaws. Most importantly, in some ways it supports the concept that all women should do is be mothers. It seems to state that all mothers are the ones that stay at home to take care of the children, as opposed to it being an equal weight between the two parents.
If you haven't seen it already, I do recommend checking it out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/mom-worlds-toughest-job_n_5148075.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063
On one hand, I think that it does a really wonderful job pointing out the amount of work that mothers do that they are not paid for. In some ways, I think that that it really is a great support for the argument that maybe mothers should get paid. They do more work than a typical COO might do!
On the other hand, I do think it has a few flaws. Most importantly, in some ways it supports the concept that all women should do is be mothers. It seems to state that all mothers are the ones that stay at home to take care of the children, as opposed to it being an equal weight between the two parents.
If you haven't seen it already, I do recommend checking it out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/mom-worlds-toughest-job_n_5148075.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063
Extra Post: MetroLink Advertisement
As I mentioned briefly in class on Monday, when I was riding the MetroLink, I saw an advertisement that said, "Sex without consent is rape." Sometimes, I think our society thinks that street advertisements are obsolete due to the effects that advertisements in the media have on us. But after seeing this simple ad over and over again, its message began to stick with me. Interestingly enough, however, when I initially saw this advertisement, my reaction was, "This advertisement seems really simple. Why is it not saying any more about rape?" Then it clicked in my head: sex without consent IS rape. It is really that simple. There does not need to be any additional remark or some disclaimer being like, "Oh...but it's not rape in these circumstances..." It was just simply defined as sex without consent being rape, which is absolutely true. What do you guys think? Do you think that this is a powerful advertisement?
"You got She Mail"
One of my favorite TV shows is RuPaul's Drag Race, a popular competitive TV show where professional drag queens compete to be the "next drag superstar." I have been watching this show since the very beginning, when I was about 15 years old. I love this show because it helped give me an open mind and really educated me about individuals who are drag queens, individuals who identify as transgender, the issue surrounding AIDS, as well as the LGBT rights movement as a whole. Basically, I love this show.
Recently, RuPaul's Drag Race came under a lot of scrutiny due to their video segment which begins with, "Ooh girl, you've got she-mail." In the 6 years I have been watching this show, I took it as a joke and a pun on the term "email," as well as an apparent mockery of America's Next Top Model since everyone says RuPaul looks like Tyra Banks. Members of the trans community, as well as LGBT groups, have voiced out against this segment, saying that it is a mockery of the trans community and an insult due to the use of the term "she-mail" and its obvious similarity to "shemale," an individual, I believe, who is usually born with both genitalia or who people perceive is a man/woman. No matter how big of an activist I am for the LGBT community, it shocked me that it never occurred to me that this humorous segment is extremely offensive to people. What do you guys think? Do you think this is an example of humor being taken too far, or do you think that the "she-mail" slogan is appropriate?
Monday, April 14, 2014
Street Harassment
http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliapugachevsky/troubling-stories-of-street-harassment
I thought that this group of testimonials does a good job of showing just how many women are affected by street harassment. I think it's something that very few people talk about anymore, because we have become so conditioned to it. In class we discussed this topic and every woman without fail had been subject to this problem. I personally can not stand it, and I hate that it sometimes has the effect that the cat-caller desires, which is to get my attention and cause me to be afraid, ashamed, etc. No where else in our society would this kind of misconduct be acceptable. It bothers me when people diminish the issue, because just like in the testimonials it can sometimes escalate, which is what keeps me from making retorts to their remarks. It seems less pressing an issue in comparison to some of the societal structures oppressing women, but I think that it is a daily reminder of how men vocalize their privilege, and feel entitled to harass women.
I thought that this group of testimonials does a good job of showing just how many women are affected by street harassment. I think it's something that very few people talk about anymore, because we have become so conditioned to it. In class we discussed this topic and every woman without fail had been subject to this problem. I personally can not stand it, and I hate that it sometimes has the effect that the cat-caller desires, which is to get my attention and cause me to be afraid, ashamed, etc. No where else in our society would this kind of misconduct be acceptable. It bothers me when people diminish the issue, because just like in the testimonials it can sometimes escalate, which is what keeps me from making retorts to their remarks. It seems less pressing an issue in comparison to some of the societal structures oppressing women, but I think that it is a daily reminder of how men vocalize their privilege, and feel entitled to harass women.
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