S08: GWSS 3306 Pop Culture Women http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/ Welcome everyone to the Spring 2008 blog for Pop Culture Women. During the semester this bog will be another outlet to start dialogues, continue classroom discussions and keep each other informed about interesting websites, community and campus activities. A goal of this course is to develop a critical feminist eye when looking at the world reflected through popular culture mediums. en Copyright 2008 Mon, 19 May 2008 20:31:57 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.33.uthink http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss What I took 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_took.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_took.html Blog Post 7 Mon, 19 May 2008 20:31:57 +0000 I learnt a lot from this class 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/i_learnt_a_lot_from_this_class_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/i_learnt_a_lot_from_this_class_1.html Sites of Mention Sat, 17 May 2008 15:55:29 +0000 Cougars 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/cougars_4.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/cougars_4.html Blog Post 7 Sat, 17 May 2008 15:48:37 +0000 Introducing Myself 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

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/introducing_myself.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/introducing_myself.html Blog Post 1 Sat, 17 May 2008 15:46:38 +0000 T.V. Shows 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/tv_shows_4.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/tv_shows_4.html Blog Post 2 Sat, 17 May 2008 15:45:26 +0000 A long walk by Jill scott vs. Milkshake 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/a_long_walk_by_jill_scott_vs_m.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/a_long_walk_by_jill_scott_vs_m.html Blog Post 4 Sat, 17 May 2008 15:30:23 +0000 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/post_7.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/post_7.html Blog Post 3 Sat, 17 May 2008 15:21:04 +0000 What I Will Take Away 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_will_take_away_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_will_take_away_1.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:25:31 +0000 Mothers 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

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_4.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_4.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:16:52 +0000 Mothers 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:03:39 +0000 Mothers 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_1.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:03:39 +0000 Mothers 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_2.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_2.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:03:39 +0000 Mothers 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_3.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/mothers_3.html Fri, 16 May 2008 20:03:39 +0000 what I will take away 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!!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_will_take_away.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/what_i_will_take_away.html Thu, 15 May 2008 19:38:22 +0000 Cougars 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.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/cougars_3.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hedg0028/gwss/2008/05/cougars_3.html Blog Post 7 Thu, 15 May 2008 19:27:44 +0000