Douglas, The Rise of Enlightened Sexism, Chapters 1-5
How has the experience of feminism changed in the last 10 years?
It seems to me the last 10 years have changed in that feminism is no longer (mainly) clamoring for equality in image and perception. For example, Douglas spends a lot of time talking about the rise of feminism in TV shows. Popularity with certain shows soared and many of them portrayed females in roles that had once been reserved for men.
I can't recall the exact quote or where it was located, but the creator of one TV show said he (I think it was a he) was tired of the slasher films where females were always the victims. So, his TV creation portrayed the main female character as fighting evil and coming out on top as the heroine.
So how has this changed? After the ending/termination/retirement/cancellation/whatever/etc. of a number of these shows, the portrayal of females went back to heavily rely on sexuality and now feminism has changed its fight to decrease the presence of women in this role.The increasing rise of MTV, VH1 and shows like Desperate Housewives and The Bachelor.
This time around, female figures/characters are highlighted for their sexuality and the quality of an experience in bed with them as opposed to their ability to fight against 'evil.'
So, instead of pushing for their image to be built up in a way that was typically unassociated with females, feminism is now trying to combat the 'new' way the female figure is portrayed in pop culture.
How have these changes effected communication?
In terms of institutional communication, it is very common for women to be the blunt of sexist remarks and sarcasm that typically get passed off as though somebody is "only kidding." It is as though their sexuality is made into a mockery and set up as typical and ordinary, instead of something we should view as holy.
I think back to my high school days and the time I spent with my guy friends eating lunch in the halls at school or hanging out on Friday nights. The type of interpersonal communication that went on concerning females was anything but personal. It was usually objectified. I sat through I-don't-know-how-many conversations about how certain girls looked as they walked by or who they'd 'done stuff' with lately. Especially for me, interpersonal communication within my male group of friends was heavily dominated by the subject of females. The exact same perception of sexuality that feminism is trying to eliminate is exactly what infiltrated conversations for many years.
What communication events came to mind while reading?
The biggest event that came to my mind was Hillary Clinton's 2008 run for the presidency. Now, if a presidential campaign isn't a communication event, then I don't know what is. I was a freshman in high school the spring of 2008 when all the primaries took place. I don't remember reading headlines or listening to the political bobbleheads talking about Clinton's sexuality or what she was wearing, etc. I remember her being a legitimate candidate for the office. I remember seeing videos and pictures of thousands and thousands of people showing up to listen to hear speak. I watched returns on the night of primaries and saw the results as she took in millions of votes.
The context of this all? It happened during a time (especially according to my answer to question 1) when culture was high on sex, criticism, and objectification. From what we've read of Julia Wood and so far with Susan Douglas, they place a world of emphasis on what sexism did to Clinton instead of what Clinton did to sexism. And to note, that's another fault of culture/media. A favorite quote of mine goes like this, "The evening news is where they start by saying 'Good Evening,' and then they proceed to tell you why it isn't." So much energy could have been spent on the positives of the entire experience and campaign. YES, sexism was present and entered the picture, but why does it still have to be large portion instead of a thumbnail? Instances of sexism will never fully disappear, just as racism won't. We live in a fallen world. But this event, Hillary2008, was one that came to my mind as one that should have made great strides, yet I continually read otherwise.
Links to videos, music, etc.
Katie Couric's notebook, on Campaign Sexism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N4M3TIsGM0&feature=relmfu
Sexism in Music http://voices.yahoo.com/sexism-music-5228711.html
Sexism in Super Bowl commercials http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/super-bowl-ads-2012the-sexiest-sexist-ads/2012/02/03/gIQAJqyfnQ_blog.html
Discussion Questions:
How far does feminism have to go in pointing out sexism until they choose to focus on progress?
The media is high on sexism because it sells. Is there anything about our gender or sexuality that is not offensive that could make as big a wave in culture as sexism does?
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Wood, Gendered Lives, Chapter 11, & "Her Body, Himself"
Gendered Lives
Chapter 11
Whether you believe it or not, media affects our everyday lives. People may claim immunity (as most do), but the reality of reality is that we are each affected by media: TV shows, commercials, magazine adds, radio programming, etc. Media also shapes culture's expectations of gender and the relationships between the genders. Most programming and advertising will reinforce stereotypical roles for men and women, and only rarely will media challenging these norms be present.
These forms of media shape our views of self and gender by doing a few things. First, they tell us there is something wrong with us. We are not normal. Second, they tell us we can fix our 'wrongness' by buying product X, Y, and Z, and buy doing workout 1 and starting diet 2. The media is fueled by providing (in us) a false sense of security and non-satisfaction. Their goal is to get us to consume!
Perhaps the most anger-provoking facet of Wood's chapter is that on the continual sexualization of women. This is present is the ever increasing number of movies containing sexual innuendos and sexual scenes. Turn on the radio to a hip-hop station and the rap music is likely to contain prose about 'bitches' and 'hoes' and perhaps even how one can 'smack that.'
*I could continue to write more on this chapter but the result would just be one long rant, and that is not the purpose of this blog.
Her Body, Himself
While I admit this reading was not the easiest for me to follow, I can say I found a few things to be valuable. Playing right along with Wood's chapter on media (movies are media after all) is the sexualization prevalent in many of these horror, 'slasher' films. The killing and murder that is present is centrally located around (in many films) sex and other love scenes. It works, first of all, because media are bias toward sexualization any way and for the same reason that we are drawn most to those scenes, and that is when the unexpected happens.
Another facet I found interesting is the section 'Final Girl.' It comes to me as no surprise that women are the victims of violence. To note, both sexes are killed in these massacre movies. However, it is the preoccupation with women and struggle that dominates the screens and the concluding parts of these films. And even if she survives, it is the female who must go on living with the dreams and haunting memories of a violent past.
Questions to ask?
Why did Wood shy away from the fact that recently, 2 of 3 major network's evening news programs were anchored by women? I can list handfuls of women reporters...
Do feminists argue for equality across the occupational spectrum or just better representation for females?
Links to articles, videos, music, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FpyGwP3yzE
-Jean Kilbourne's 'Killing us Softly 3'
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/weekinreview/09abramson.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
-brilliant article titled, 'When Will We Stop Saying, 'First Women to ______?'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5pM1fW6hNs&feature=related
-Miss Representation Extended Trailer
Chapter 11
Whether you believe it or not, media affects our everyday lives. People may claim immunity (as most do), but the reality of reality is that we are each affected by media: TV shows, commercials, magazine adds, radio programming, etc. Media also shapes culture's expectations of gender and the relationships between the genders. Most programming and advertising will reinforce stereotypical roles for men and women, and only rarely will media challenging these norms be present.
These forms of media shape our views of self and gender by doing a few things. First, they tell us there is something wrong with us. We are not normal. Second, they tell us we can fix our 'wrongness' by buying product X, Y, and Z, and buy doing workout 1 and starting diet 2. The media is fueled by providing (in us) a false sense of security and non-satisfaction. Their goal is to get us to consume!
Perhaps the most anger-provoking facet of Wood's chapter is that on the continual sexualization of women. This is present is the ever increasing number of movies containing sexual innuendos and sexual scenes. Turn on the radio to a hip-hop station and the rap music is likely to contain prose about 'bitches' and 'hoes' and perhaps even how one can 'smack that.'
*I could continue to write more on this chapter but the result would just be one long rant, and that is not the purpose of this blog.
Her Body, Himself
While I admit this reading was not the easiest for me to follow, I can say I found a few things to be valuable. Playing right along with Wood's chapter on media (movies are media after all) is the sexualization prevalent in many of these horror, 'slasher' films. The killing and murder that is present is centrally located around (in many films) sex and other love scenes. It works, first of all, because media are bias toward sexualization any way and for the same reason that we are drawn most to those scenes, and that is when the unexpected happens.
Another facet I found interesting is the section 'Final Girl.' It comes to me as no surprise that women are the victims of violence. To note, both sexes are killed in these massacre movies. However, it is the preoccupation with women and struggle that dominates the screens and the concluding parts of these films. And even if she survives, it is the female who must go on living with the dreams and haunting memories of a violent past.
Questions to ask?
Why did Wood shy away from the fact that recently, 2 of 3 major network's evening news programs were anchored by women? I can list handfuls of women reporters...
Do feminists argue for equality across the occupational spectrum or just better representation for females?
Links to articles, videos, music, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FpyGwP3yzE
-Jean Kilbourne's 'Killing us Softly 3'
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/weekinreview/09abramson.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
-brilliant article titled, 'When Will We Stop Saying, 'First Women to ______?'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5pM1fW6hNs&feature=related
-Miss Representation Extended Trailer
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