I took from this class a sense of understanding about media that I have often been without. In the past I have believed that television and media could be watched but not supported by having a critical eye. In this class I thought I would have a more critical eye and be able to take different things from the media and popular culture. I have however come to the conclusion that this isnt realistic. One has to operate outside the system in order to not support the ideologies.
I learnt a lot from this class. Not just the people I met but also the course material. I am male and it gave me a different perspective on things. I am also taking another class called black women writers and this is a good complement for my pop culture. It is about black women who express themselves on issues like race and gender. I loved the movies we watch. I saw movies and t.v shows in class and gave me a different view on that. I have a new sense of respect for women. The articles we read were very educative and insighting. I am very appreciative and thankful to have been involved in it.
This is about older women dating younger men. Women have been stigmatized as bitches and so forth. In some cultures, It is taboo but in the american culture, it is widely accepted. I think there shouldn't be any such problems with this. I think women should be allowed to follow whom ever they please no matter the age. If a woman can support herself and her decision, I say go ahead.
Movies: Chronicles of Narnia
Speed
Troy
Ancherman
300
Songs: A long walk by Jill Scott
How does it feel by D'angelo
On and on by Erykah Badu
Please dont go by Tank
The way by Jill Scott
T.v shows: Best week ever
Heroes
Full House
Fresh Prince
Scrubs
T.V show: One of my favorite shows is Lost on ABC on thursday nights at 9 o'clock. It is a thrilling and exilarating series that continues to push the envelope. It's about a group of people suck on an island. They try to find ways to escape but face new and commaning challenges. The cast is evenly distributed into males and females and the roles assigned in most cases isn't sexist. Women could either be the hero on one episode or the distraction in the other. I dislike that sometimes it has a tendency to become a little unreaslistic.
T.V show: Another television sho I enjoy is Best week ever on fridays on VH1. It is a very funny show that I have been following for quite some time now. The show is formatted in such a way that releases comedic perfection. A bunch of comedians just comment on whatever goes on in the media. Whether it is about what Britney spears did one week or the other or whatever else is the topic of the week. The comedians are the stars of the show and are evenly distributed into the two sexes. I like the homur in the show but it sometimes could become a drag if one comedian isn't quite as funny as the others.
T.V show: One of my other favorites is Sportcenter. It is sbout sports as one could easily deriv from the title. It talks about whatever new topics are being circulated in the air. It can sometimes be funny. I love basketball a lot and it does a good job in it's presentation of its news. The broadcaster are very evenly distributed for a sports show and talks about women sports as ell as men sports. It is very up-to-date which I like. I am never lacking behind in any sports argument between me and my friends. Sometimes I wish they spent more time talking about basketball than othe sperts but that's just me.
You're here, I'm pleased
I really dig your company
Your style, your smile, your peace mentality
Lord, have mercy on me
I was blind, now I can see
What a king's supposed to be
Baby I feel free, come on and go with me
Let's take a long walk around the park after dark
Find a spot for us to spark
Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation
Share our situations, temptations, education, relaxations
Elevations, maybe we can talk about Surah 31:18
These are lyrics from Jill scott who happens to be my favorite artist of all time. She is smooth in her delivery and creates a positive image for women. She is a full figured woman who respects herself and the music she produces. If she talks about her body, it is very clear cut and as far away from vulgar as possible.
I can see you're on it...
You want me to teach thee,
Technics that freaks these boys,
It can't be bought,
Just don't please get caught,
Watch if you're smart,
These are lyrics from Kelis and hese are very different from Jill Scotts brand of music. She is very sexual and has no moderatation. She isn't representing the best kind of music and talks about her butt and isn't as smooth. She is very provocative and uncensored in her music.
Just when you think britney spear's younger sister Jamie lynn is the opposite of her sister and a positive role model for young "tweens" everywhere, she gets prgnant. Role models today are hard to find. I would say the best example would be Raven symmon. She hasn't fallen under pressure to be skinny in hollywood and although being introduced to the industry at a early age, she has held her ground and hasn't gone crazy. She has her own show on disney and has a clothing line as weel. She is a multimillion dollar lady who young irls should aspire to be like.
While this class was definitely not what I was expecting, I think I have learned something valuable. I definitely did think there was a dichotomy between feminist and femininity, and I had trouble being one without thinking I was dissatisfying the other. However, from this class I have learned that I can be both very feminine and a feminist. This has made it easier for me.
Also, I was always SO ashamed of LOVING The Simple Life, What Not to Wear, America's Next Top Model and The OC and all the other mindless shows that completely degrade feminism. Now I know that it is okay to watch them, as long as I obtain somehow a balance of positive and negative ideas for myself. But I also know that there are things that are not okay, such as Libby Lu , Bratz Babies and Nickelodeon promoting a pregnant Jamie-Lynn Spears. I feel that this class has helped me form what I feel is ok and what isn't. I believe that will be different for everyone, but it has helped me form at least my ideals.
I think there is quite a variety in how mothers are portrayed in the media. If one analyzes the TV shows Roseanne, Desperate Housewives, etc, one will see the difference.
One of my favorite shows is the OC. I can readily admit - even though I am quite invested in the lives of the characters - that this is SO unrealistic. The mothers are so incredibly good-looking, but they are not mothers! The two main mothers - Julie and Kirsten - are a dishonest, gold-digging cougar who has sex with her daughter's boyfriend and runs a male prostitution ring for her friend group of cougars - also known as the Newport Group - and the other is an alcoholic who cannot deal with her family issues and repeatedly hurts her loving, supportive family.
There is one TV show that - I think - accurately displays what a mother should be portrayed as. 7th Heaven's Annie Camden seems to me the most normal mother portrayed on television. She reminds me - although slightly more matronly - of my mother. She is not ridiculously hot or provocative, but she is pretty, and very desired by her husband. Their relationship is not perfect, but it does seem realistic. Because she is not occupying her time with chasing her daughters boyfriend, she is intuitive and attentive to her children's needs.
Disclaimer: she's not quite normal; she does have 7 children and somehow the family survives on a minister's salary
To be honest, I think there is a huge variety in the way that the media portrays mothers. Ponder the diversity in the following television shows: Desperate Housewives, Roseanne, 7th Heaven, The Parkers, etc.
But there has most definitely been a recent trend of hot mamas featured on television. Shows like The OC and Desperate Housewives in specific are shows that I've experienced with some ridiculously sexy mom characters. In the OC, one of the mothers is called "OhmyGod SO hot" by her daughters male friends. However, both main mother figures on this show are also portrayed as completely mentally unstable. One is a gold-digging, dishonest slut who during one season runs a male prostitution ring for her pack of cougars (also known as the Newport Group) while the other is an alcoholic with serious issues with her father.
Annie Camden, the mother from 7th Heaven, is a great portayal of what I consider a realistic, everyday mother (besides the fact that she is raising 7 children and somehow doing so on only her husband's minister's salary). She is not ridiculously hot or provocative, but she is pretty. AND she is very desired by her husband, hence the 7 children. However, their marriage is not perfect and they have fights and issues. Since she is not busy chasing after men half her age or drinking herself into oblivion, she is very intuitive and attentive to the needs of her children. This may simply be a self-discovery of my own -- I may generalize 'proper' mothers to be this way, but this is what simply seems most realistic to me.
To be honest, I think there is a huge variety in the way that the media portrays mothers. Ponder the diversity in the following television shows: Desperate Housewives, Roseanne, 7th Heaven, The Parkers, etc.
But there has most definitely been a recent trend of hot mamas featured on television. Shows like The OC and Desperate Housewives in specific are shows that I've experienced with some ridiculously sexy mom characters. In the OC, one of the mothers is called "OhmyGod SO hot" by her daughters male friends. However, both main mother figures on this show are also portrayed as completely mentally unstable. One is a gold-digging, dishonest slut who during one season runs a male prostitution ring for her pack of cougars (also known as the Newport Group) while the other is an alcoholic with serious issues with her father.
Annie Camden, the mother from 7th Heaven, is a great portayal of what I consider a realistic, everyday mother (besides the fact that she is raising 7 children and somehow doing so on only her husband's minister's salary). She is not ridiculously hot or provocative, but she is pretty. AND she is very desired by her husband, hence the 7 children. However, their marriage is not perfect and they have fights and issues. Since she is not busy chasing after men half her age or drinking herself into oblivion, she is very intuitive and attentive to the needs of her children. This may simply be a self-discovery of my own -- I may generalize 'proper' mothers to be this way, but this is what simply seems most realistic to me.
To be honest, I think there is a huge variety in the way that the media portrays mothers. Ponder the diversity in the following television shows: Desperate Housewives, Roseanne, 7th Heaven, The Parkers, etc.
But there has most definitely been a recent trend of hot mamas featured on television. Shows like The OC and Desperate Housewives in specific are shows that I've experienced with some ridiculously sexy mom characters. In the OC, one of the mothers is called "OhmyGod SO hot" by her daughters male friends. However, both main mother figures on this show are also portrayed as completely mentally unstable. One is a gold-digging, dishonest slut who during one season runs a male prostitution ring for her pack of cougars (also known as the Newport Group) while the other is an alcoholic with serious issues with her father.
Annie Camden, the mother from 7th Heaven, is a great portayal of what I consider a realistic, everyday mother (besides the fact that she is raising 7 children and somehow doing so on only her husband's minister's salary). She is not ridiculously hot or provocative, but she is pretty. AND she is very desired by her husband, hence the 7 children. However, their marriage is not perfect and they have fights and issues. Since she is not busy chasing after men half her age or drinking herself into oblivion, she is very intuitive and attentive to the needs of her children. This may simply be a self-discovery of my own -- I may generalize 'proper' mothers to be this way, but this is what simply seems most realistic to me.
To be honest, I think there is a huge variety in the way that the media portrays mothers. Ponder the diversity in the following television shows: Desperate Housewives, Roseanne, 7th Heaven, The Parkers, etc.
But there has most definitely been a recent trend of hot mamas featured on television. Shows like The OC and Desperate Housewives in specific are shows that I've experienced with some ridiculously sexy mom characters. In the OC, one of the mothers is called "OhmyGod SO hot" by her daughters male friends. However, both main mother figures on this show are also portrayed as completely mentally unstable. One is a gold-digging, dishonest slut who during one season runs a male prostitution ring for her pack of cougars (also known as the Newport Group) while the other is an alcoholic with serious issues with her father.
Annie Camden, the mother from 7th Heaven, is a great portayal of what I consider a realistic, everyday mother (besides the fact that she is raising 7 children and somehow doing so on only her husband's minister's salary). She is not ridiculously hot or provocative, but she is pretty. AND she is very desired by her husband, hence the 7 children. However, their marriage is not perfect and they have fights and issues. Since she is not busy chasing after men half her age or drinking herself into oblivion, she is very intuitive and attentive to the needs of her children. This may simply be a self-discovery of my own -- I may generalize 'proper' mothers to be this way, but this is what simply seems most realistic to me.
I am definitely going to take a lot away from this class. It wasn't what I imagined when I first registered, but I'm really glad I got the experience.
Thanks to this class, I have learned how to look at media with a feminist critical eye, while still appreciating the humor and entertainment of the show/movie/whatever. I really enjoyed all of the clips we got to watch in class and the articles we read associated with them. I've even become addicted to a new show (I've now seen every episode of Firefly about five times, and I've watched Serenity twice--if you haven't seen them yet you should check it out).
I've also learned an appreciation for different types of media. Before this class I never would have thought about reading a graphic novel, much less enjoying it. However, I really liked reading Life's a Bitch and may even pick up another graphic novel this summer (some of the other ones sounded interesting, too).
I've learned how to get over all the negative stereotypes associated with being a feminist and how I can react when I see someone acting in a way I find inappropriate.
I don't know what I'm going to do with my Thursday nights next semester!!
All I can say is that these sites are kind of disturbing. I have no problem with an older woman dating younger men (hey, it seems to be working for Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore...) but these sites make it seem like it's all about sex. The urban cougar website even said something about "Playboy has its bunnies" so why can't they have a cougar of the month? This month's featured cougar, Dariea, is well-known for having been Kim Basinger's body double (and the article specifically states that she did all the nude scenes). Dariea is also pictured topless and in some very sexualized poses. It seems like being a cougar is all about having a hot body and wanting sex from younger men, not being a powerful, confident older woman.
What I have taken away from this class is to look at the media with a critical eye. The portrayals of women are not always going to be accurate and most of the time they are not. As our society becomes more bombarded with media messages, we as consumers of media have to educate ourselves about the effects that it can have on our lives. However I also think that since media messages are all around us, we need to look for the good messages that are being sent. While listening to the presentations in class and doing the class readings, I can see that there are a lot of resources out there that have a positive message. Instead of always focusing on ourselves, I think to better our communities and our environment, is to be able to look outside of ourselves and realize that we can make the most difference if we are open and have a greater perspective on our world and other cultures and people and know that there are differences...and that differences are good. What we should be proud of is our unique qualities and realize that it is our backgrounds that we can share with others and make people more open to the "otherness" that would make everyone better people.
My first reaction to the website was a little surprising. I had heard about cougars before, and when first learning about what it actually means to be a cougar, it didn't really bother me. However I feel that this website makes me want to change my mind about a cougar lifestyle. It seems to me that cougars are not only looking for a relationship with a younger partner, but they also seem to focus a lot on going out and partying all the time. The website portrays a cougar as looking for someone who wants promiscuous sex and likes to drink a lot. From the urbancougar store, people can buy t-shirts and hats saying I love cougars, but the trucker hat with the logo and two legs parting from each side of the logo is a little offputting. The statement is that cougar women are all about seducing someone and then having sex whenever they want to. Of course the supposed cougar woman is in control of herself, but this website seems to be sending the message that they are wild and out of control.
There has definitely been a change in the portrayal of motherhood in media from when I was growing up and motherhood portrayed now. After reading the article on the television series, Rosanne, and then comparing that to the television series, such as Desperate Housewives has represented a big change. Even though they would be considered separate genres, they still influence those who are watching them on a day to day basis. While Rosanne focused on the comedic aspect about marriage and motherhood, Desperate Housewives painted a completely different picture. I agree with some other blog posts that I had read, and would find it safe to say that Desperate Housewives focused a little bit more on sexuality and showed the women using it to their advantage in their imaginary world. In Desperate Housewives, where every woman is physically fit and flawless, Rosanne goes out of her way to say that she is overweight, but she still exudes sexuality. The images exemplified by both series are completely different. Just as the title states in Desperate Housewives, these women seen desperate to fit into whatever little cookie-cutter picture that they want to fit into. However, Rosanne seems to rest on the opposite side of the spectrum in which she is not so "desparate" but in fact seems to be in control of her life, though there are struggles, she keeps it together with a little comedy added to it.
I think that motherhood is portrayed in such a negative light sometimes in the media. You have the desperate housewifes that we watched in class which shows these women that think they need to be perfect and fit that perfect stereotype of what i would like to get away from. Then for the most part when you see families of diffent ethnic backgrounds they generally have some type of problem, either they have no money or little of it, or there is some conflict between the mother and father if they are even together. Then i think about the Disney movies and how the majority of those movies the family is really not even present, most times the mother has nothing to do with the raising of the child, or she is a wicked stepmother. Then there is the relationship that Eminem has with his mother where we are watching them fight back at one another. I don't think that our media sheds a very positve light on mothers in general.
I learned a lot in this class. I guess it really opened my eyes to how much the media is really targeting girls at a much younger age. It is a huge consumer culture when it comes to targeting these young girls. The first time I watched an episode of Zoey 101 was in this class. I had always heard about it because I have a two year old niece whose name is Zoee as well and she absolutely loves the show. She thinks that she is Zoey on TV. When I watched the episode in class, it really made me realize that my little niece is internalizing all of these images and messages. It is not the worst show in the world, but it shows some very stereotypical and gendered images. I want my niece to be aware that what she sees on TV is not reality. This class really made me realize how critically we have to look at everything that surrounds us.
This class was an interesting take on Pop Culture-definitely not the avenues I would have chosen, but that's good because I learned a little. Mostly what I will take from this class is a newfound appreciation for graphic/comic novels. I read Fun Home for the group project and loved it! I definitely want to read more of Alison Bechdel and of other graphic novelists/comics like her. What I liked about Fun Home was that it told a novel-esque story with the words and the pictures. There were many times during reading where the picture told the story just as much as the words did. I also loved Bechdel's artwork, and when I learned how she labored over its perfection, I appreciated it even more. One other thing I will take from this class is that I will probably read the "Be Real" anthology in its entirety. I really enjoyed the selections from that book.
Cheers!
I don't think there is anything wrong or unnatural about an older woman dating a younger man. But, Urancougar.com was disgusting. It just furthers the negative trend of women (young and old) being defined by and valued for their bodies. I don't look at the those women on that site and think, "How sad..they're trying to be young"--I look at them just like I would any other woman who dresses and acts like that. I sound a bit judgmental I know, but it just makes me so angry (not at the women-at our society) when I see women participating in the commodification and sexualization of their bodies and thus, themselves. Urbancougar.com is funny, and worth a laugh, but it's the overarching message that it represents that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth...
Ok so I tried posting this about two weeks ago, and I am not sure if it went through or not, so Im going to submit an extra one just in case. What I will take away from this class is to be more aware and pay more attention to the media, and to not judge someone because of their looks. I feel as though women as a whole are more judgmental of each other. I have found from doing all the readings, and seeing all the video clips in class that women are judged too much. I feel as though there is too much pressure coming from the women. Women are always on the spotlight, and I know that they feel as though they always have to be looking beautiful at all times. I have learned that this is getting worse with young girls such as 13 getting plastic surgery to be perfect. I never realized how much this goes on if it wasnt for this class. It also goes back to how you were brought up. Mothers who are obesessed with their looks, is a prime example because they will soon teach their daughters to be the same way. After taking this course I have looked at situations from a different point of view. Working in retail I get a chance to see all what goes on when mothers and daughters come into the store and try to pick out clothes. I have found that mothers put a lot of pressure on their daughters to be beautiful. They will convince their daughters that they are a smaller size than they think. They make them get a size smaller if the size that they have is embarrassing. I personally think that is horrifying and sad. What has the world come to? all about looks? I feel as though society is all about looks and caring what others think. If everyone thought that being overweight was good, then everyone will try to get bigger to fit into what society thinks. I respect girls who are not affected by the media, and i wish that applied to all women. Unfortunately thats not the way things work. Being thin doesnt make you happy 24/7, and having big boobs doesnt help you get a better grade in class. It's all about presentation. The media should present more positive and reality images of women. i think variety is a good aspect. Young girls need to see that there are more types of women rather than being thin! Thats what I feel I have taken from this class, and i feel as though I learned so much about women in pop culture that I never knew before, and I find it to be really interesting as well. Thanks for an interesting class Mashinda!
"Lovefool" - the Cardigans
Hopefully this song is hyperbolic sarcasm, because it is about a ridiculously needy woman who knows and doesn't care if her man actually cares for or loves her, just as long as he says he does. She can't even think or function without him:
Dear, I fear we're facing a problem
You love me no longer, I know
And maybe there is nothing
That I can do to make you do
Mama tells me I shouldn't bother
That I ought to stick to another man
A man that surely deserves me
But I think you do!
So I cry, I pray and I beg
Love me love me
Say that you love me
Fool me fool me
Go on and fool me
Love me love me
Pretend that you love me
Leave me leave me
Just say that you need me
Love me love me
Say that you love me
Leave me leave me
Just say that you need me
I can't care 'bout anything but you...
Lately I have desperately pondered,
Spent my nights awake and I wonder
What I could have done in another way
To make you stay
Reason will not lead to solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don't care if you really care
As long as you don't go
So I cry, I pray, and I beg
Love me, love me
Say that you love me
Fool me, fool me
Go on and fool me
Love me, love me
Pretend that you love me
Leave me, leave me
Just say that you need me
So I cry, and I pray for you to
Love me, love me
Say that you love me
Leave me, leave me
Just say that you need me
I can't care 'bout anything but you...
Anything but you...
Love me, love me (Say that you love me)
Fool me, fool me (Go on and fool me)
Love me, love me (I know that you need me)
I can't care 'bout anything but you..
"Bootie Call" - All Saints
This song is not only hilarious, but actually shows a woman having some sexual independence and assertion. Similar to the 'sex like a man' concept from Sex and the City, the sex without caring is strongly emphasized by the singer in this song.
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Never stop giving good love
Cos that's why I call you for
(yo, whats up, baby?)
Never stop, baby, give it up
Cos I know where it came from - you got more
I like playing games
And if it's all the same,
You could bring it on with the rough stuff
And give me your love - I don't wanna be tamed
I need a man to be a real man
In order what I got in store,
Always finish what you start baby
And always having me beg for more,
You know I wanna be diggy down, boy
but I don't get around,
Jimmy has to ride in your pocket or lock him in your wallet,
It's just a bootie call
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now [ x2]
I'm keen on what you is baby
Names are always good to have
You never let me down [Mel & Shaz]
I'm always happy when you make me laugh
But don't try to find
This heart of mine
Emotions, they'll come into my head, so don't be misled
My heart doesn't need to be bled
Aren't we trying to be smart baby?
Don't need the rollercoaster ride
I've been it, seen it and done it all yeah, yeah [Nat & Shaz]
Don't want you messing with my mind
So don't be a fool
Keep this as your number one rule [Shaz & Mel]
Good loving is not always from the heart
You gotta be smart
Ha ha
Stay just the way you are
It's just a bootie call (It's a bootie call)
It's just a bootie call (It's a bootie call)
It's just a bootie call
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
It's just a bootie call
It's a bootie call, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie call, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie, it's a bootie call
Please hang up and try you call again
Please hang up now
This is a re-recording
So, not a super strong image but the context in which it is in is very impressive. According to many British women, Victoria Beckham is their role model. Ridiculous, huh? Well, Lilly Allen is brave enough to take on one of the biggest superstars [wives] in the world. She is also using her fame to be an activist against teenage pregnancy - she is pregnant - not a teenager - and refuses to design a maternity line because she feels that her demographic is young girls and teenagers and this is simply not suitable for them.
Allen is also an avid bike rider, and of a healthy weight. There has been much talk about her more curvy figure, and she blasts rumors that she is insecure about it.
Also, have you guys listened to her lyrics? Very powerful. She's a strong woman.
TV Show: The Office
This is one of my favorite shows of all time. It is just so real, yet completely unreal at the same time. I appreciate the fact that Michael Scott's blatant sexist and racist humor is drawn attention to. If I examine this television show in closer detail, however, I see that there are actually some really good messages, but also solely male-driven aspects. There is a male boss, who's only female superior - Jan Levenson - is fired for being too emotional. The receptionist, Pam, is female and submissive - plus she is regularly the victim of sexual harassment - although eventually she stands up to her terrible boyfriend and begins working on her real dream. The other 3 regular women in the office are Angela, a bitch, Meredith, an alcoholic, and Phyllis, who is overweight. To me, women aren't quite fairly portrayed on The Office.
Law and Order: SVU
Another one of my favorites, I enjoy this show a lot and when I look at it closer, it has some pretty strong female leads within a typically male-dominated profession. Olivia is half of the main duo, who is a very strong and tough yet beautiful woman who, on very rare occasion, shows her emotional side. The D.A. is also female. I really appreciate that such important parts of the justice process are played by women. Rarely do they get dominated by the majority of male workers within their office.
CSI: Miami
This police show differs quite a bit from Law and Order. There is only one female lead, and although she plays a strong woman who is quite skilled with firearms, a lot of emphasis is still put on her cleavage and overall appearance. Most women characters featured on this show are solely there as victims or sexy, seductive suspects. They are quite provocative and don't exactly portray women in a respectable, strong way.
Top 5 Movies:
Garden State
Superbad
Goodfellas
Dazed and Confused
The Untouchables
Top 5 TV Shows:
THE OFFICE
Law and Order: SVU
America's Next Top Model
What Not to Wear
The Simple Life (!)
Top 5 Artists
Radiohead
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins (even though they only collaborated for one album)
Prince
The Flaming Lips
Rilo Kiley
(...these favorites have already changed)
Overall I feel as if I am taking away many things from this course, the knowledge that there is no one way to define feminism, a new love for Desperate Housewives, and a definite re-inforced love for Sex & the City. But what I find myself taking away the most is a new awareness especially after just looking at the cougar websites. And also looking back on blog 3 and my search for a teen television role model. I enjoyed Alison Bechdel's reading that we attended as well. I plan to read Fun Home as soon as I am done with finals.
I found the first site (Urbancougars) interesting yet annoying at the same time. The first thing I read on the site was the description of cougars in general and the single word that caught my eye was "sophisticated". I am still not sure how I feel about that word being applied to women who consider themselves animals. Next I read an article ripping Madonna apart for dancing too provocatively with Justin Timberlake. I'm confused...isn't this celebrating older women going for younger men...are we a little jealous of Madonna Ms Urbancougar? Finally I wrapped up my tour of the site with the cougar of the month who happened to be Dariea. While reading bits and pieces of her article I made up my mind on how I felt about the site. Completely disgusted. Maybe this was an older women who was going after younger men but from her interview/description I would think she was younger than myself. I found her interests most amusing, "I love...dancing and singing, even though I'd be a perfect candidate for the American Idols 'Bloopers' show! I love...Diet Coke Zero - I think I'd die without it. My favorite thing to do is have a Pina Colada and throw myself right onto the sand without a towel to sun my buns...I am spontaneous and kind of a brat." In another question she was asked what she thought it took to be a cougar. In her answer I found another word that stuck out and scratched me the wrong way - "class". Because this was probably the last thing she had especially after reading her story of taking a friend's dare to climb up the stripper pole in a dress. Oh lol! good times with Dariea!
The second site (cougared) appeared a bit more down to earth yet also came off as just a bunch of desperate women.
I believe motherhood figures are portrayed in differently depending on the genre of the media. I believe in this generation of television specifically, mothers are portrayed much differently than when I was growing up. Mothers are portrayed much more laid back. Since segregation by race is no longer a very common practice I do not see television moms being influenced by this factor. Class will always be present in our society yet when we viewed Desperate Housewives the mothers were all from the same neighborhood and it can be assumed, the same class as well. But each mother of the show handled parenthood differently leading me to believe class does not have much influence over motherhood either. The mothers of Desperate Housewives do have something cartoon mothers do not have though - sexuality. The mothers of Desperate Housewives are portrayed as sexy and desirable. Modern pop culture has definitely taken a liking to sexuality and has no shame letting everyone know this through the media.
So this is very very late but I figured since I had some time I should use it wisely and look back at what we have covered in class, and that includes the work that was not done when it was due. Any who, I looked on the web for role models especially role models that would be good for young girls and even teenage girls alike. I found a few but have realized they have pretty much all gone bad by this point. However, one person who has always presented themselves in such a mature and elegant fashion has been Raven-Symone. She got her big break on the Cosby Show at the age of three and her career has been nonstop. This has not affected her image as a role model. Other teenage girls hit that plateau where they no longer want to worry about their actions and decide to go out partying or what not and having photos snapped of them and put out there for their young girl following to see. If in fact they were good role models would they ever really do such things? I can understand that you are just young once but then they need to make that clear and let everyone know they are not this Disney protcol child that your young daughters should look up to. Raven on the other hand must have an incredible up bringng that has kept her an excellent role model over all these years. Yes, I am certain she has had her issues too but nothing that has tarnished her coveted spot as one of the best role models out there to date for young girls.
I think one main thing that i will take away from this class is to really evaluate what i am reading or watching, or looking at. That i thought things were so great but never really sat down and thought about what kind of image a barbie gives, what kinds of things Disney portrays in their shows. How to look good naked attempted to make a women feel good but did it in a way to put the other women around her down. They also boosted her self esteem by cutting and dying her hair and adding makeup. i would have normally watched that show, if i would have had time, and really enjoyed it and thought it was great. Once it was analized in class i know think differently of that and about everything else i watch. This was the first thing that i learned in this class, was to have a critical eye and that is definately something i will take with me!!!
When i first looked at these cites i thought it was the wrong place, that my computer had some type of virus and it was taking me to a porno cite. Then i realized this is what i was supposed to be looking at. Well i have to say i think it is great that this women are so physically fit and feel great about themselves, but seriously i want to tell them to grow up!! I know that so many people joke that guys just never grow up and go through a mid life crises and try to marry some young hottie, and i think that is rediculous. Now women are stupping to the level of a man!! i thought that women were better then that. I dont think you should be proud of the fact that you are hot and can sleep around at any age in your life. It makes me wonder what kind of life these women lived and how unfufilled they must feel that they need to look for young hot guys to make them good about themselves. As for the show age of love i am not sure if they are re airing it, but i remember actually watching that show. I never really thought of it so in depth but just that they were looking for love the wrong way obviously. I don't remember the outcome, but i am sorry to say that this young man is not going to be with a almost 50 year old women for a long time i find it hard to believe unless she is very immature, then it couldn't be a serious relationship to me. It does happen though, but developmentally they are at different stages of their life, they have expereicend different things growing up, not as easy to connect.
I have to say that I have learned a lot in this class. I think the one thing that I will take away from it is what it means to be a feminist. In the back of my mind, I always thought of a feminist as a sort of man hating woman. Now I realize that there is much more to being a feminist. It's more about being powerful and taking control of your life. I guess now that I know what it actually means to be a feminist, maybe I can reconsider whether or not I truly consider myself an actual feminist.
I have to say that I was kind of shocked when I looked at these websites. I couldn't believe how sexual they were. I almost felt as if I was looking at some sort of porn site. I understand that they are trying to make it known that these women are "preying" on younger men, but I think that they could have sites that are a little more tasteful. I feel like you don't have to take your clothes off and be advertising sex just to make the point that you are an attractive woman and can use that to your advantage in order to hook a younger man.
Here are my blogs! God love me! Etc, etc, etc.
Blog Post 2
TV Show 1: Little People, Big World- I must have been bored. On the negative end, this show normalizes dwarfism by presenting it in a heterosexual context. Because they are a white, middle class heterosexual family, their dwarfism is normalized. It is more of an indicator of our obsession with "the other," in this case physical deformity, in a cruel parallel to the freak show days of old. On the positive end, they are just as annoying to watch as any other family.
TV Show 2: Stella- David Wain is constantly dominating women (and men!) sexually. It is highly satirical, and I believe David does it in order to assert his manhood, as the least attractive member of the trio (He is balding and a little awkward). However, this show is too ridiculous to be taken seriously in any measure. If you watch the short online, Raking Leaves (please do, I'll put a link on here, but be warned that it is crude humor), the woman playing mother nature jerks off through her pants to two men having fake sex, whereas Stella normally has the men jerking off to anything sexual. I feel this is progressive of them, as mainstream culture rarely references women masturbating or claiming their own sexuality.
TV Show 3: Friends- Phoebe, who is the open-minded, more crazy character on the show, sings a song about alternative sexuality and there is one line that says, "And then there are bisexuals, though some just say they're kidding themselves." For being a TV show, it was one of those young and hip shows, and although it is open-minded enough to be talking about homosexuality, it still presents the prevailing message that bisexuals are not seriously attracted to both sexes, that you are either trying to be alternative or you are on the crazy train to gay-town.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1609566
Blog Post 3
When I searched the web for "teen grrrl power," I expected something lame to come up. Instead, a website called "Grrrl Zine Network" popped up as the first item! It was pretty sweet, so I browsed around it for a little bit, checking out the information they provided. And did they ever provide info! In their about section they described themselves as "forming a global network of grrrl zinesters" who "passionately discuss feminist theory, politics and activism." It seems the zine world is a positive outlet for expressing our dissatisfaction with the media and male-dominated, heteronormative society we exist in. They had some really neat resources for how to get into the movement and show you where you can read blogs online. Check it out!
http://grrrlzines.net/about.htm
Blog Post 4
Negative Song: Scott Walker's The Girls and The Dogs
This is a little frightening. It's written out of a lot of anger and pain and sung in a very crooning way. It compares women to dogs and the merits of each, concluding that dogs are, of course, better. It talks about how women "have schemes" and "will laugh at your jokes" "but it is all a hoax." Who is this guy? "The girls/ You know that they are vain/ They will poison your brain/ They will drive you insane." It's ridiculous.
http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/599317.html
Positive Song: Atmosphere's Sunshine
This is truly one of the most reassuring and beautiful songs I have heard in a long time. His assertion that "every woman looks better in a sun dress" makes my heart sing. It is a song that starts out really negative, talking about the morning after being drunk and having a hangover, and transforms into a bike ride on a beautiful summer day, appreciating the simplicity of life and loving the sunshine.
http://www.smartlyrics.com/Song632474-Atmosphere-Sunshine-lyrics.aspx
Blog Post 6
Mothers in media is a tough one that isn't at all. Celebrity mothers are pictured as perfection or fuck-ups like Brittney Spears. When they are pictures of perfection they handle their children with expertise and love waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to care for their screaming babies.
Mothers on TV are also amazing mothers, able to make their children lunches while still going to jobs or being super-heroes or whatever it is they do with their days. In terms of mothers as housewives, as they are often portrayed, there are two types of those prevalent in the media: the housewife who keeps everything perfect and tidy.
Wifeswap is the most outrageous show I've seen. Not only does it show you a super-mom whose values are in the wrong place but another mother who may not be a super-mom but whose values are super-great. The point is to watch how the dynamic of the family changes, and therefore the important focus of the family is how the mother is the thing that holds the family together. The mother, in the show, fulfills roles and the show shows how each woman approaches the domestic realm differently. The only reason the woman is in the house is to fulfill these roles, and the show shows how they do it differently.
Blog Post 7
With nbc: I love how the nbc reality show claims to be a "social experiment" asking if age matters in love. How stupid. Reality TV, which was never very good, has gone down the drain. In the description it also describes the "Cougars" as "attractive" and the "Kittens" as "sexy." The game in the right-hand corner of the screen, "Can you guess their ages?" is really spectacular. How gross to say, it doesn't matter how old you are as long as you look sexy! Who cares about either? Gross gross gross.
With the websites: one could think that we are embracing aging, but if one thought that one would be silly. This is not embracing age but sexualizing yet another thing and embracing the "experienced" and worldly qualities of older women. It could be taken as a re-valuing of older women and an embracing of a not normal dating relationship (normally it is the inverse- older men and younger women) but do we really want to stereotype and commercialize in oder to make things acceptable? I'm just not sure.
Blog Post 8
I did learn a lot about how to deconstruct the media and view with a critical but forgiving eye. I loved the articles we read, and I felt that the more specific ones translated to mainly universal themes within culture and media. In my daily life I really deconstruct the stereotypes presented in popular culture, more than I had before, and now with articles in hand I have words to use in my interpretation of pop culture and media! YIPPY!
First of all, I've taken away the ability to critically use my eye (it's mildly schooled in feminism) and discern certain aspects of popular culture that I was, before, able to easily excuse as just 'pop.' I think however, that I gained an appreciation for Bitch. The book and the magazine. When I saw the magazine on the shelf I literally and regretfully passed it by because it didn't have 'glossy' pages and color photos. Seriously? What was I thinking? It just proves to me how much of a consumer I can really be sometimes, despite my 'best' efforts. So, the one thing I've taken away, and y'all should check out, is Bitchfest, a book where many of our articles/essays were taken from. It's a compilation of some of the most regarded articles to come out of the magazine. It offers a fantastic perspective that also offers humor while presenting some fairly serious topics.
Bitchfest, Lisa Jervis & Andi Zeisler, 2006
OH, and a new appreciate, or one at all, for graphic novels.
My initial thought, before I visited any of the sites listed, was that of "who cares! men can do it, what's so wrong with women going for the younger men?" SO MUCH. The problem isn't so much about older women going for younger men, but it's the way in which it's not only portrayed, but how it's sold to women (and men) as an over sexualized and disgusting way.
www.urbancougar.com
While this site seems fairly harmless initially, soon it was easy to see how horrible it really was. First of all, it's perpetuating and supporting the idea that in order for older women to get younger men, they must look younger than they actually are. And they must dress younger and act younger as well. You can be 60, but you must look 30, or at least portray that you strive to look 30. The women are also portrayed as being wealthy or in search of wealth, looking like plastic versions of themselves in expensive clothing.
Problem number two, and most problematic for me: the fact that it's the 'cougar' and the 'prey.' I could go into some intense depth about how problematic this is, however, I think it's relatively clear. They categorize the prey, an example of this being "The Virgin: Not an actual virgin, but rather the guy who gets the deer in the headlights look after you've made your advance. Once you've stunned him, he'll be in your bed in less than 60 seconds flat. But be careful. He may become attached. It's best you tell him to leave immediately so as not to give him the wrong idea." And then the genus of the 'cougar.' It's portrayed as a game, which I suppose cougar and prey could be seen as a game.
www.cougared.com
On this site I was introduced, by a lovely 'prey,' the term 'poacher,' which refers to a man around the same age as the 'cougar' who basically wins her over. I think turning this perfectly natural thing, the idea of an older woman and a younger man dating, into a game. A game. And one that creates a problematic relationship from the beginning. Mother-son?
Age of Love
This show also displays problematic themes. First of all, the show is based upon the premis that Mark Philippoussis will fall in love with any of the women on this dating show. With that problem out of the way, let's take a look at the fact that Philippoussis has the 'duty' of choosing between women in their 20's and women in their 40's. It has been noted (on wikipedia) that there was an unfair difference in ages where Philippoussis was only 3 years older than the oldest 20 year old but 9 years younger than the youngest 40 year old. Then, factor in the fact that he is choosing between not only individual women, but an age group of women, heck! He, of course, chose a 20-something.
Gross.
I have learned so much in this class, more than I expected to actually. I am a Poli Sci major and I have studied race, gender, class, sexuality within the scope of politics, history and society. However, all of this was done primarily with scholarly studies and surveys, based on readings that are impersonal for the most part. I connected so much with all of the different authors and learned so much from them on these same topics. I got a glance into to the lives of so many different women and men, all who had feminist thoughts and opinions, and who are dedicated to making things better for women in America. The readings were academic and interesting all at the same time. The movies, TV shows, and videos all enhanced the course. They were so useful because I began to not just watch them; I began to critically analyze everything I watch and let into my space. I now watch entertainment media with a critical eye to see what messages I am being sent, and this is the most essential tool that this class has helped to me to hone.
Overall, I was so happy to see that the discussion of women and their place(s) in this society is occurring all over this country. All change begins with dialogue, so if I’ve taken anything from all of the readings, movies, videos, and graphic novels, I’ve taken that we’re headed in the right direction, slowly but surely.
My impressions on these sites were firstly, I can’t say I am surprised that a site like this exists. In this day and age, it see
