http://adage.com/bigtent/article?article_id=120429&search_phrase=Is+black+back%3F
I can see both sides but in all actuality, our society has become so careful as to not step on anyone’s toes that it’s getting ridiculous. People need to not take things so seriously and besides, a name only has meaning if you place meaning behind it; otherwise it’s just a name.
I don’t know why the politically correct term is “African-American.” I suppose you could see who is from America and who is a foreigner but sadly in these days there is not enough awareness to differentiate between a Nigerian and an African American and there’s also way too many people in this world to know all the differences.
With America being the melting pot it is, what name to call darker-colored people shouldn’t be that big of an issue. It gets on my nerves more than anything when they do make it a big issue because you don’t see Indians protesting what they’re called…think about it.
Indians were here first, why then are they called American Indian or Native Indian. It should just be Indian and you should know. But often times American Indians are confused with East Indians. In America people call East Indians, Indians…would it then be politically incorrect? But you don’t see us all up in arms.
The only push towards what name to call Indians is to use American Indian not Native American, because anyone can be a native to this country. I do support the movement from being called American Indian rather than Native American but the point is that we don’t get all wrapped up in the issue. Its not that it’s not important, it’s just that we know there are more important things to us than to be nit-picky about every little thing.
I think the more important and interesting research to be done here is how society moves from using one term to another. How does it transition and how does it spread to others to use it as well?
That would be worth looking into.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Compelling murder mystery didn't have made-for-TV ending
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/101607dnmetfloyd.341673a.html
I am always annoyed that murder victim stories never follow through till the end. And it’s sad that if this story had turned into such a tradegy, the story might have been aired. This story is an everyday event, but it doesn’t seem like an everyday event because society never sees it.
People don’t ever expect to get robbed during the day because they only see the crimes happen at night, at least that’s what the media shows.
Things aren’t always what they seem with the media and I don’t think it ever will be because they will never release the entirety of any story aired.
I am always annoyed that murder victim stories never follow through till the end. And it’s sad that if this story had turned into such a tradegy, the story might have been aired. This story is an everyday event, but it doesn’t seem like an everyday event because society never sees it.
People don’t ever expect to get robbed during the day because they only see the crimes happen at night, at least that’s what the media shows.
Things aren’t always what they seem with the media and I don’t think it ever will be because they will never release the entirety of any story aired.
Thanksgiving Has Nothing to do with Iraq
The other day, during the Thanksgiving holiday, I heard this quick report on the radio that went something like, “Today in Iraq there are families celebrating a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey and stuffing…”
What the fuck, and excuse my language, but who the hell cares about what the Iraq people are doing for Thanksgiving?! Not to mention that why are they celebrating it anyway?!?! Thanksgiving celebrates the day when the Indians taught the white people, aka pilgrims, how to grow corn and live on this land. I don’t remember the Indians ever teaching the Iraq people how to grow corn.
This radio bit made me furious! They shouldn’t be celebrating this holiday because it is an AMERICAN holiday! Plus, were they being forced to celebrate it? Was it being pressured onto them? Honestly, where would they get the idea to celebrate this American holiday? And what’s next?? Are they going to start dressing up like Santa Clause and laying out cookies and milk for him?
I believe in helping other countries and I fully support our troops but I DO NOT support us trying to instill OUR traditions on people that aren’t even in our country! It’s ridiculous!
What the fuck, and excuse my language, but who the hell cares about what the Iraq people are doing for Thanksgiving?! Not to mention that why are they celebrating it anyway?!?! Thanksgiving celebrates the day when the Indians taught the white people, aka pilgrims, how to grow corn and live on this land. I don’t remember the Indians ever teaching the Iraq people how to grow corn.
This radio bit made me furious! They shouldn’t be celebrating this holiday because it is an AMERICAN holiday! Plus, were they being forced to celebrate it? Was it being pressured onto them? Honestly, where would they get the idea to celebrate this American holiday? And what’s next?? Are they going to start dressing up like Santa Clause and laying out cookies and milk for him?
I believe in helping other countries and I fully support our troops but I DO NOT support us trying to instill OUR traditions on people that aren’t even in our country! It’s ridiculous!
Protesting Demeaning Images in Media
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/arts/05enou.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I am a little confused by this article...maybe more confused on how I should take it. I do agree that BET and channels like MTV have way to vulgar stuff and to tell you the truth I am so disgusted at what they show on those programs, especially at night, I refuse to watch them.
The only part that I am confused on is the true stance of the Enough is Enough group. Are they protesting that BET is only showing a small portion of black life or it is showing a completely wrong portion? I ask this because I have seen blacks look and act just like the blacks in BET…some of them looked like they just stepped out of the show. I’m not ignorant enough to think that all blacks are like this, but I always wondered if blacks (especially young ones) acted like they do because of what is aired on BET? Kind of a “monkey-see-monkey-do” sort of thing. Either way, I’m glad they are protesting and I think more people of all races should protest because it amazes me today that the stuff in rap videos can even be aired on television.
For Clues on Teenage Sex, Experts Look to Hip-Hop
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/health/06well.html
“We need to teach teens that these portrayals of women and sex don’t represent reality,” as one person stated in the article. When I hear hip-hop lyrics I do believe its true but not just for anyone. I usually associate the artists lyrics with the artist, seeing that they usually are promiscuous and treat woman around them like they’re objects. I don’t believe that all black people are like the lyrics in hip-hop songs but I never relate any other race to hip-hop lyrics.
Maybe it’s because I always see rap videos being the same with them verbally putting down women and treating them like they’re not even human.
I remember this one college girl had stated how she was mad at all the white people for buying rap cds and supporting this false image of black people. All I could think was, hello!!! It’s your people that are writing this junk and as Marc Newman stated in a previous article, “A lot of rap isn’t rap anymore, it’s just people selling their souls.” Both parties are at fault and we all need to take a stand.
I am a little confused by this article...maybe more confused on how I should take it. I do agree that BET and channels like MTV have way to vulgar stuff and to tell you the truth I am so disgusted at what they show on those programs, especially at night, I refuse to watch them.
The only part that I am confused on is the true stance of the Enough is Enough group. Are they protesting that BET is only showing a small portion of black life or it is showing a completely wrong portion? I ask this because I have seen blacks look and act just like the blacks in BET…some of them looked like they just stepped out of the show. I’m not ignorant enough to think that all blacks are like this, but I always wondered if blacks (especially young ones) acted like they do because of what is aired on BET? Kind of a “monkey-see-monkey-do” sort of thing. Either way, I’m glad they are protesting and I think more people of all races should protest because it amazes me today that the stuff in rap videos can even be aired on television.
For Clues on Teenage Sex, Experts Look to Hip-Hop
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/health/06well.html
“We need to teach teens that these portrayals of women and sex don’t represent reality,” as one person stated in the article. When I hear hip-hop lyrics I do believe its true but not just for anyone. I usually associate the artists lyrics with the artist, seeing that they usually are promiscuous and treat woman around them like they’re objects. I don’t believe that all black people are like the lyrics in hip-hop songs but I never relate any other race to hip-hop lyrics.
Maybe it’s because I always see rap videos being the same with them verbally putting down women and treating them like they’re not even human.
I remember this one college girl had stated how she was mad at all the white people for buying rap cds and supporting this false image of black people. All I could think was, hello!!! It’s your people that are writing this junk and as Marc Newman stated in a previous article, “A lot of rap isn’t rap anymore, it’s just people selling their souls.” Both parties are at fault and we all need to take a stand.
Top General Sparks Outrage: Calls Same-Sex Relationships “Immoral”
http://www.glaad.org/eye/stories.php#ucc_ejector
This is definitely a touchy subject, but in my own opinion I believe we as humans do not have a right to condemn others for their actions. I think we should respect their differences as long as it doesn’t affect society as a whole or harm anyone.
I personally do not agree with any homosexual actions; however, I do not believe this makes someone a bad person and they shouldn’t be treated like a bad person.
The General was definitely wrong about speaking up in such a manner and yes he should be praising ANYONE who sacrifices themselves for their country, but he obviously believed in what he spoke and I myself wouldn’t have apologized for my beliefs. But it makes me wonder if this General is a typical example of how society and media pressures men to be as macho as possible and anything less than that is, and excuse my pun, gay.
This is definitely a touchy subject, but in my own opinion I believe we as humans do not have a right to condemn others for their actions. I think we should respect their differences as long as it doesn’t affect society as a whole or harm anyone.
I personally do not agree with any homosexual actions; however, I do not believe this makes someone a bad person and they shouldn’t be treated like a bad person.
The General was definitely wrong about speaking up in such a manner and yes he should be praising ANYONE who sacrifices themselves for their country, but he obviously believed in what he spoke and I myself wouldn’t have apologized for my beliefs. But it makes me wonder if this General is a typical example of how society and media pressures men to be as macho as possible and anything less than that is, and excuse my pun, gay.
In Bruce Lee's Shadow: Asians Struggle to Create New Hollywood Images
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=771790&page=1&Entertainment=true
When the article mentioned how Asians were never seen as leading roles in falling in love, I had never really thought about it before, but it’s true! Even in one of Jackie Chan’s movies there is opportunities for him to “hook up” with a woman and it’s just like the article stated, “they’re too busy fighting off villains to fall in love.” I wonder if this is why people outside of the Asian culture do not view Asians as attractive?
As the article started to talk about Asian actresses, they mentioned a current actress that played a role different from past Asian roles. Her name is Sandra Oh and she is one of the lead roles in the TV show, Grey’s Anatomy. I personally love this character and love that she doesn’t have a “typical Chinese accent.” I hope to see more characters like her.
However, I came upon a very sad discovery. I Googled Sandra’s name and went to images, a couple of images over I happened to scroll onto a page that completely disgusted me. It was a poll site that called her ugly and had people compare a character from an old movie with Cher, but the name escapes me. Not even a couple of images down I saw her in a Marie Claire ad in which I could barely recognize her! They had her done in so much make up, and I’m sure with tons of Photoshop, that it made me sad for her. I wonder how she feels looking at a picture that doesn’t even look like herself, does that make her feel incapable? I wish they would leave her natural, we need more normal every-day people in media.
When the article mentioned how Asians were never seen as leading roles in falling in love, I had never really thought about it before, but it’s true! Even in one of Jackie Chan’s movies there is opportunities for him to “hook up” with a woman and it’s just like the article stated, “they’re too busy fighting off villains to fall in love.” I wonder if this is why people outside of the Asian culture do not view Asians as attractive?
As the article started to talk about Asian actresses, they mentioned a current actress that played a role different from past Asian roles. Her name is Sandra Oh and she is one of the lead roles in the TV show, Grey’s Anatomy. I personally love this character and love that she doesn’t have a “typical Chinese accent.” I hope to see more characters like her.
However, I came upon a very sad discovery. I Googled Sandra’s name and went to images, a couple of images over I happened to scroll onto a page that completely disgusted me. It was a poll site that called her ugly and had people compare a character from an old movie with Cher, but the name escapes me. Not even a couple of images down I saw her in a Marie Claire ad in which I could barely recognize her! They had her done in so much make up, and I’m sure with tons of Photoshop, that it made me sad for her. I wonder how she feels looking at a picture that doesn’t even look like herself, does that make her feel incapable? I wish they would leave her natural, we need more normal every-day people in media.
Sexism, Strength and Dominance: Masculinity in Disney Films
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY&feature=related
An important topic in this study was on how men are told how to act. Media tells men that woman are for pleasure or are for servants that should please them. I think this is very true today and also why I feel relationships today have such problems.
Media tells men that women should be flawless and should expect them to give up their bodies to men. I think this is why women, especially young women, feel they have so much pressure put on them because they are getting it from the media as well as men around them telling them what to be, how to act, and how to look.
I believe that just like young girls are told to look sexy to transform into a woman, boys also have pressure to be a certain type of man. This certain type is to be masculine, which is defined by strength and physical prowess. In the Disney movie, Mulan, there is a song describing everything a man should be. “He must be swift as a coursing river, be a man! With all the force of a great typhoon, be a man! With all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon.” I feel that these types of messages put on a lot of pressure for men to be what media considers masculine and I am even victim to judging men if their not “masculine enough.” But a part of me wonders if this is a “survival of the fittest” or a stereotype that is hurting our society.
The study then goes on to explain how not fighting is seen as pitiful. Even today it baffles me how men protect their territory, as they call it aka their woman, by trying to act macho, tough, and eventually leading into fights. I’ve often asked why men feel the need to do so but they can never explain why. They just say, it’s what men do, it’s divides the men from the boys. I think its ridiculous and wonder if they would ever admit it is as well.
These images will begin to shape what we know about reality and even if media today was to stray outside of stereotypes, there would be a lot of hardship for those children as they would be growing up in a more accepting world that their fathers cannot understand.
An important topic in this study was on how men are told how to act. Media tells men that woman are for pleasure or are for servants that should please them. I think this is very true today and also why I feel relationships today have such problems.
Media tells men that women should be flawless and should expect them to give up their bodies to men. I think this is why women, especially young women, feel they have so much pressure put on them because they are getting it from the media as well as men around them telling them what to be, how to act, and how to look.
I believe that just like young girls are told to look sexy to transform into a woman, boys also have pressure to be a certain type of man. This certain type is to be masculine, which is defined by strength and physical prowess. In the Disney movie, Mulan, there is a song describing everything a man should be. “He must be swift as a coursing river, be a man! With all the force of a great typhoon, be a man! With all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon.” I feel that these types of messages put on a lot of pressure for men to be what media considers masculine and I am even victim to judging men if their not “masculine enough.” But a part of me wonders if this is a “survival of the fittest” or a stereotype that is hurting our society.
The study then goes on to explain how not fighting is seen as pitiful. Even today it baffles me how men protect their territory, as they call it aka their woman, by trying to act macho, tough, and eventually leading into fights. I’ve often asked why men feel the need to do so but they can never explain why. They just say, it’s what men do, it’s divides the men from the boys. I think its ridiculous and wonder if they would ever admit it is as well.
These images will begin to shape what we know about reality and even if media today was to stray outside of stereotypes, there would be a lot of hardship for those children as they would be growing up in a more accepting world that their fathers cannot understand.
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