http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2v-FvgSNw
I posted this video because I think the issue of cartoons such as South Park, Family GUy etc. get away with a lot of racist comments. I don't know how these types of clips are allowed on TV. The one posted above is a perfect example.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Connect the article "Masculinity as Homophobia" (p80) to the film "Boys Don't Cry" that we watched in class. Use examples from both the film and text to talk about issues of what it means to be a man and how that can be and has been used to oppress gays. I also welcome you to include your own personal observations and/or reactions to the film.
"Masculinity as Homophobia" discusses mainly the way men percieve eachother by appearance, personality, etc. Men are constantly under pressure to act tough or manly and this puts them under alot of pressure. With this being said, a man who's homosexual would feel out of place in the world because they may act different. As Micheal Kimmel states gay men possibly are "very emotional, they show their feelings." Other straight men may feel the need to prove their "manliness" and ridicule or hurt gay men because they act a different way. The straight men seem to have the attitude as if they have something to prove. A perfect example of this was the rape scene in "Boys Don't Cry".
"Boys Don't Cry" was a very touching moive for me. My thoughts on "Brandon Teena" dressing up as a boy to get girls is indifferent. I understand why she did and I have nothing against gays, but I believe it was a bit selfish because she should have though about other girls feelings. She didn't realize that she may hurt someone else in the process by making a girl fall in love with her, then realize she's been lied to the whole time. But I do understand that it is tough to be yourself in her situation in today's society, but I find it harded and she eventually did in the end to, to be something your not.
"Masculinity as Homophobia" discusses mainly the way men percieve eachother by appearance, personality, etc. Men are constantly under pressure to act tough or manly and this puts them under alot of pressure. With this being said, a man who's homosexual would feel out of place in the world because they may act different. As Micheal Kimmel states gay men possibly are "very emotional, they show their feelings." Other straight men may feel the need to prove their "manliness" and ridicule or hurt gay men because they act a different way. The straight men seem to have the attitude as if they have something to prove. A perfect example of this was the rape scene in "Boys Don't Cry".
"Boys Don't Cry" was a very touching moive for me. My thoughts on "Brandon Teena" dressing up as a boy to get girls is indifferent. I understand why she did and I have nothing against gays, but I believe it was a bit selfish because she should have though about other girls feelings. She didn't realize that she may hurt someone else in the process by making a girl fall in love with her, then realize she's been lied to the whole time. But I do understand that it is tough to be yourself in her situation in today's society, but I find it harded and she eventually did in the end to, to be something your not.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
In his article "The Plutocratic Culture: Institutions, Values and Ideologies", Michael Parenti writes the following: "The desire to 'make it,' even at the expense of others, is not merely a wrong-headed attitude but a reflection of the material conditions of capitalist society wherein no one is ever economically secure except the super-rich." Explain what he means by this. Also, use some of what was expressed in the "Devil and Dave Chappelle" article to think about Parenti's quote.
When Michael Parenti states "The desire to 'make it,' even at the expense of others, is not merely a wrong-headed attitude but a reflection of the material conditions of capitalist society wherein no one is ever economically secure except the super-rich." , he is basically saying that those who put themselves before others economically don't really have a choice. Micheal believes the government and media has slightly brainwashed people to believe that in order to be happy you must have material things to do so. Advertisments convince Americans that having private things (cars, home, vacation place, etc.) will make us happy, even though we feel more lonely when we get them. Our money we earn should go towards helping the public and others' get by.
Also, with such high prices of material goods, etc. the standards of "making it" are very high. It seems almost like a loose-loose situation because what the government and media advertise as being successful makes us loose focus of what is really important. He believes as though the 'super-rich' are the only ones who have enough money for everything.
When Michael Parenti states "The desire to 'make it,' even at the expense of others, is not merely a wrong-headed attitude but a reflection of the material conditions of capitalist society wherein no one is ever economically secure except the super-rich." , he is basically saying that those who put themselves before others economically don't really have a choice. Micheal believes the government and media has slightly brainwashed people to believe that in order to be happy you must have material things to do so. Advertisments convince Americans that having private things (cars, home, vacation place, etc.) will make us happy, even though we feel more lonely when we get them. Our money we earn should go towards helping the public and others' get by.
Also, with such high prices of material goods, etc. the standards of "making it" are very high. It seems almost like a loose-loose situation because what the government and media advertise as being successful makes us loose focus of what is really important. He believes as though the 'super-rich' are the only ones who have enough money for everything.
We've gone over dominant/target groups in class somewhat. Where do YOUR identities lie? How has membership in those identites shaped who you are today? Do you have any reaction or feeling about the notion of some of them being dominant and others being target groups?
According to our discussion in class, I would be placed more towards the dominant group. Personally, I would never classify people into dominant/target groups. I don't see myself as being better or worse than anyone else based on my age, skin color, where I was born, etc. This is just my opinion, and I know not everyone feels this way but that is who I am.
Let's take for instance if I owned my own business. If two people are applying for a job, I would never consider either of these categories. I would examine the resume or application, and see who is better qualified for the job by skills, personality, and experience. If i was applying for a job, and my competitor was someone in the "target" group, and I found out the only reason I got hired was because I looked different, I would not take the job. I would never want to work under someone who is judgemental in that sense.
According to our discussion in class, I would be placed more towards the dominant group. Personally, I would never classify people into dominant/target groups. I don't see myself as being better or worse than anyone else based on my age, skin color, where I was born, etc. This is just my opinion, and I know not everyone feels this way but that is who I am.
Let's take for instance if I owned my own business. If two people are applying for a job, I would never consider either of these categories. I would examine the resume or application, and see who is better qualified for the job by skills, personality, and experience. If i was applying for a job, and my competitor was someone in the "target" group, and I found out the only reason I got hired was because I looked different, I would not take the job. I would never want to work under someone who is judgemental in that sense.
You have watched part of "Boys Don't Cry." Write a reaction to this film and use the theories expressed in Marilyn Frye's article about "Oppression" to make your points.
This was actually my second time watching the movie "Boys Don't Cry" and it was so interesting to me, because I saw this movie when I was about 10 years old and the differences in the way I perceived it now was what made the movie so good to me. I did not understand it when I was younger, and now I do.
"Boys Don't Cry" relates to "Oppression" by Marilyn Frye and it made me realize how hard it must be for a person with same-sex tendencies to express themselves. Our society should be more accepting of gays, because if they were people wouldn't be driven to act as the opposite sex. If people could just take one second to think about other people's happiness, crimes such as Brandon Teena getting raped in the movie could be prevented.
This was actually my second time watching the movie "Boys Don't Cry" and it was so interesting to me, because I saw this movie when I was about 10 years old and the differences in the way I perceived it now was what made the movie so good to me. I did not understand it when I was younger, and now I do.
"Boys Don't Cry" relates to "Oppression" by Marilyn Frye and it made me realize how hard it must be for a person with same-sex tendencies to express themselves. Our society should be more accepting of gays, because if they were people wouldn't be driven to act as the opposite sex. If people could just take one second to think about other people's happiness, crimes such as Brandon Teena getting raped in the movie could be prevented.
A psychologist in the article, "More and More Young Women choose Surgical Perfection" (p480) talks about the "commercialization of [women's] bodies." Researchers talk about "our culture [being] drenched in visuals." Talk about the issues raised in this article and include a definition of these 2 quotes. Include how you relate to this idea of plastic surgery based on YOUR racial and gender identies (ie., how would you relate to this as an Asian woman, for example).
This article brings up many topics that are relevant in today's society and in my life. I constantly feel pressure to look good. I always try to look my best when I go out at night, and I have the mindset that looks are very important. It's not that I will judge someone by the way they look, but I myself always like to look good. However, I am perfectly content with the way I look and would never consider having someone cut open my chest just to have bigger breasts, or cut anywhere on my face to make me look better. I think it's important for people to appreciate what God gave them and make the best of it. I go to the gym often, I wear makeup, and I buy nice clothes. I don't hate people who get plastic surgery but it just isn't for me.
When the author talks about "our culture [being] drenched in visuals.", and "commercialization of [women's] bodies." it is clear that she's spearking of society and media drilling into our brain that visuals are all that matters. The image of the movie stars on TV such as Britney SPears, Paris Hilton, etc inspires younger girls to want to look tan, big breasted and extremely skinny. I often wonder if media made a less attractive or overweight indivual famous, and well-liked would what we consider to be good looking change?
This article brings up many topics that are relevant in today's society and in my life. I constantly feel pressure to look good. I always try to look my best when I go out at night, and I have the mindset that looks are very important. It's not that I will judge someone by the way they look, but I myself always like to look good. However, I am perfectly content with the way I look and would never consider having someone cut open my chest just to have bigger breasts, or cut anywhere on my face to make me look better. I think it's important for people to appreciate what God gave them and make the best of it. I go to the gym often, I wear makeup, and I buy nice clothes. I don't hate people who get plastic surgery but it just isn't for me.
When the author talks about "our culture [being] drenched in visuals.", and "commercialization of [women's] bodies." it is clear that she's spearking of society and media drilling into our brain that visuals are all that matters. The image of the movie stars on TV such as Britney SPears, Paris Hilton, etc inspires younger girls to want to look tan, big breasted and extremely skinny. I often wonder if media made a less attractive or overweight indivual famous, and well-liked would what we consider to be good looking change?
In her article on Mike Tyson, "Requiem for the Champ", June Jordan writes, "The choices available to us dehumanize." (p468). What does she mean by this? Write your reaction and opinion to the position she takes in this article.
June Jordan writes in reference to Bigger Thomas murdering two women as "The choices available to us dehumanize." What she means by this is that Mike Tyson and Bigger Thomas grew up in a neighborhood where they know nothing else. The hatred they've received throughout their life has caused them and others growing up under rough conditions and where constant acts of hate occur to dehumanize their choices and actions.
I think this is true to a certain extent, but I myself have been fortunate enough to have grown up barely received any hatred and barely any oppression in a beautiful neighborhood. Therefore, it's impossible for me to believe or convince myself murder or violence is okay.
Analyze the following quote from the text: "blaming the victim is arrived at subconsciously as a compromise that apparently satisfies both self-interest and his charitable concerns."(p696) What does the author mean by this? Do you agree/disagree? Use the direct examples from the book to explain and/or your own personal experiences/viewpoints.
When William Ryan states "blaming the victim is arrived at subconsciously as a compromise that apparently satisfies both self-interest and his charitable concerns." He is speaking of the victim blamer as being the typical middle class person who is content with his life. He cannot do anything but blame the victim because he believes it will change his own life for the worse. Any other decision he chooses to make will go against his own moral judgement.
An example in History would be the Nazis treatment of the Jews. The Nazis are content with their life, but deep inside they want to help the Jews. However, they cannot betray the system that's been so good to them.
An example of this in my own life would be the relation of violence to media. The government and parents are constantly trying to keep their kids away from violence, yet TV shows contain explicit content on every channel. Stores make toy guns available to my little brother and it constantly worries me that all these factors may lead him to become a violent person, but why are the toy guns and shows available to him in the first place?
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