Hip-hop is a type of music, but also a cultural movement. Much like folk rock was a vehicle for the attitudes and contentions of another earlier generation, hip-hop has given a voice to a portion of society that, many times, feels disenfranchised. Yet, to pigeon hole this type of music as a solely niche related voice is myopic. Hip-hop can be scathing, fun-loving, ghetto, old-school, etc. The list goes on and on. The cultural element comes into play involving the heavier side of hip-hop. Many groups through the 80's (hip-hop began in the 70's) began to use their art form as a way to discuss social issues and perceived inadequacies amongst those living in close quarters. It is a multi-faceted, now firmly entrenched, form of expression within American culture. It is a part of the tapestry, for all colors and nationalities. It doesn't respect the bounds of country lines. There is rap in every country. It is far from a fad, as many speculated it was in its infancy (like disco), and it has become a powerful force in the pop-culture forum. Put simply: hip-hop is prevalent and powerful, and it still has the ability to do so while making you shake your ass. What began as expression due to a lack of representation has now become mainstream, and it is growing because of it, even with the cries that hip-hop has "sold out".
FIVE GROUPS I HAVE NOT LISTENED TO BEFORE (hard to find for the music nut I am):
1) Rick Ross - "Maybach Music 2"
2) STARSTRUKK - "3OH!3"
3) K'naan - "Wavin' Flag"
4) Asher Roth - "Lark On My Go-Kart"
5) Labcologne - "Fatality"
FIVE HIP-HOP VIDEOS I HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY SEEN (NOTE: these videos were seen on numerous TV channels and through the music service "Rhapsody", but linked to YouTube as a way of letting others view the images I am discussing):
1) Nas - "Hero"
The theme of this video seems to be that Nas, an outspoken member of the hip-hop community on numerous topics, is calling fr a "hero". From his positioning in the video, it very well may be him. Notice the images though. In a genre dominated by masculinity and violence, how is a man like Nas, who preaches change, helping the movement when he is perpetrating hip-hop stereotypes? Ski masks, dark me coming from dark alleys, bling bling, fast cars? There are themes in these videos that are predominant across the board (rare exceptions).
2) Del tha Funkee Homosapien - "Mistadobilina"
An early entry in the annuls of hip-hop, this song maintains a light and upbeat tone. Yet, when listening to the lyrics (and seeing the video), it seems Del is making a statement about the differences between him and this Mr. Dobilina, if you will. White men in suits acting like robots in office environments prevail in the video. A social statement that, once again, gets 'em up off da couch. Yo.
3) Common - "Universal Mind Control"
What would one expect from a stalwart in groundbreaking hip-hop? Common expands the genre. Pushes envelopes. Every time you hear something generic that sounds like everything else, go find someone like Common. He talks about important things. There aren't any big bootied hoes in this video. In these latter years of hip-hops existence, much like rock and roll, growth is inevitable. For all the Soulja Boys out there, there are a few of these guys that make listening to this music worthwhile.
4) Lil Jon - "Get Low"
Awful. Just awful. It's not even a good beat. The words are demeaning to not only females, but to any male with any form of cognisant thought. I love how the video is edited to not say, "Til the sweat drips off my balls", but they let the lyrics "Skeet Skeet Skeet" stay in there. That means to ejaculate. It was also humorous to watch 20-year-old girls walking around saying that phrase not even knowing what it meant. A truly enriching addition to any music catalogue. NOT. The video is like bad dental work (Lil Jon may know something about that).
5) 2 Pac - "I Ain't Mad At Cha"
After a terrible entry into the hip-hop genre, here is the master. Poet. Telling you a story of loss and love. Like any art, there has to be passion. It just isn't made like this anymore. It's so rare. He made hundreds of these tracks. The video is a narrative of a man's journey, finished in heaven, giving forgiveness to those he left behind. I don't see any asses shaking. It's more than that. More artists need to strive for this. Bottom line. I can even get my old white parents to give these songs nods of legitimization.
The influence of these voices, plus so many, many more, are numerous. Unfortunately, these influences have often been negative. The rap stigma is one dominated by violence and chauvinist attitudes. At this point in time, there are many who have grown past these stringent barriers and explored more deeply rooted human issues concerning our existence. Sadly, the majority are happy to make a buck and talk about alcohol, sex, and "skeeting" on people. Words like "trines" (derogatory term for women) and "crunk" (getting wild) have become a part of all races and socioeconomic groups' vernaculars. This type of music is mainstream. It angers some traditionalists who pine for the good old days, but like anything that draws publicity, for whatever reason, it gains notoriety. It loses its novel status. Just look at advertising. Companies are trying to move a product, and they aren't opposed to using popular music to do so. Vitamin Water, Ciroc Vodka, Castrol Motor Oil, Old Spice and numerous others have all used hip-hop music and figures to move their products. It is an accepted form of expression. It will be used as such.
The state of hip-hop is...what it is. It is a strong condition, filled with multiple geniuses and hacks alike, just as in any genre. Some have something important to say, others simply want to continue turning out the same old stereotypical rap crap. Like with anything, the burden is on the listener to seek out material of worth. Some don't have the capacity for it, and want simple tunes with simple themes. Others grasp for complex creations that make them think and question aspects of their lives and surroundings. Hip-hop has both. Just like rock. Just like country. Just like all forms of music. The idea that this is still a cultural movement is moot to me. It's not. Too many years have passed. That would be like me saying Buffalo Springfield still led a cultural movement. Nope. Hip-hop has evolved. And transgressed. But it's amazing how new it can be when it's done right.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Who decides what news is?
There's always someone behind a story. Regardless of how hard one tries, it is impossible for anyone to totally remove them self from a report and make it totally objective. It is easier to more closely reach this impossibility when a subject is vanilla, but on subjects such as war, which Moyer confronts in his essay, it becomes exceedingly difficult. In the video, Moyer does not make a direct statement that the Iraq War is like the previous conflict in Vietnam, but he juxtaposes the two and the American public's reactions to both. He is trying to make a correlation. In my opinion, there has been less public outrage and demonstration concerning the Iraq War because of the times. During the Vietnam years, the fabric of our country was changing. There were movements on many fronts. This stimulated a sub-culture of "radicals" that took to the streets, confronting authority and acting out on their perceived trampled rights. As a country, we have settled in, it seems. As many changes have been made, we hit the 80's and 90's and put the proverbial car on cruise control. Many people simply got comfortable, and members of my generation were raised in a climate that has created a general sense of malaise towards any sort of cause. It took the candidacy of a black man to get us to vote. We needed a reason to roll out and exercise our most basic democratic right. Though I find the line drawn between Iraq and Vietnam to be quite thin indeed, I believe sheer laziness to be the causation for less public displays of opposition. People got comfy, and raised their kids that way.
Now, whether the media covers what does occur is another issue. The news is owned by someone. Its job is to report truth, but can it do this completely if a story conflicts with the ownerships interests? In the case of the Iraq War, the coverage of the push towards Baghdad was so rah-rah you'd have thought you were watching the liberation of Paris circa 1944. Why was no one discussing the potential pratfalls of this conflict? Even as someone who supported the war, I would have welcomed more opposing views. An important role of the media is not only to accurately report information, but to discuss its merits and downsides (commentary). One of the negatives of 9/11 was its affect on the media. Just like the public, the media jumped on the patriotic bandwagon and lost view of its duties. How can this be avoided? What caused it? I do not think the ownership of many of our major media outlets helped. One example is GE. They manufacture weapons for the government, but they also own NBC. Does this not seem like a slight conflict of interest? Would their coverage of the war change because of this? Interesting points to discuss.
In fact, there are only six entities that own all of our news. Does this seem right? All seem to be dominated by the presence of white males. Is this indicative of our countries racial composition? Not at all. Is it fair? Absolutely. No one has done anything wrong to gain these positions. They have played the game and become successful. Right or wrong do not come into this discussion. Is this a good thing? That can be broken down. The simple answer: NO. In a country where the majority/minority coin will be flipped by 2050, it seems that the news is still very centralized on only certain people and places. Though certain issues are not important to everyone, they are important to someone. Are we alienating people by not acknowledging them? I personally think stories on minority issues concern me just as much as anything else. If America is a quilt, they're a chunk and every bit as important as I am. Coverage of these different cultures would illuminate their struggles and successes, but most importantly, it would promote understanding. One of the lesser focused upon aspects of the media is to educate. This is a key area where they could certainly do some good.
Somewhat in the same vein, you have how the media portrayed the Civil Rights Movement. Even though they shot many of the stories from the point of view of the white law enforcement, and no doubt showed their bias in doing so, the images coming through people's TV screens did all the talking needed for many to understand the brutality of the struggle for equality. Seeing with their own eyes the fire hoses spraying women and children, and dogs viciously attacking people simply standing in the street helped many make up their minds around the country. It really did not matter what the broadcaster said, or the tone of the report. Images hold great power, and those were some of the most powerful.
It is time to use the media as a tool to promote knowledge of all the types of people we have in our country, and the place to start are the controlling interests. This is one of the biggest issues facing the media today. Who is pulling the strings?
Now, whether the media covers what does occur is another issue. The news is owned by someone. Its job is to report truth, but can it do this completely if a story conflicts with the ownerships interests? In the case of the Iraq War, the coverage of the push towards Baghdad was so rah-rah you'd have thought you were watching the liberation of Paris circa 1944. Why was no one discussing the potential pratfalls of this conflict? Even as someone who supported the war, I would have welcomed more opposing views. An important role of the media is not only to accurately report information, but to discuss its merits and downsides (commentary). One of the negatives of 9/11 was its affect on the media. Just like the public, the media jumped on the patriotic bandwagon and lost view of its duties. How can this be avoided? What caused it? I do not think the ownership of many of our major media outlets helped. One example is GE. They manufacture weapons for the government, but they also own NBC. Does this not seem like a slight conflict of interest? Would their coverage of the war change because of this? Interesting points to discuss.
In fact, there are only six entities that own all of our news. Does this seem right? All seem to be dominated by the presence of white males. Is this indicative of our countries racial composition? Not at all. Is it fair? Absolutely. No one has done anything wrong to gain these positions. They have played the game and become successful. Right or wrong do not come into this discussion. Is this a good thing? That can be broken down. The simple answer: NO. In a country where the majority/minority coin will be flipped by 2050, it seems that the news is still very centralized on only certain people and places. Though certain issues are not important to everyone, they are important to someone. Are we alienating people by not acknowledging them? I personally think stories on minority issues concern me just as much as anything else. If America is a quilt, they're a chunk and every bit as important as I am. Coverage of these different cultures would illuminate their struggles and successes, but most importantly, it would promote understanding. One of the lesser focused upon aspects of the media is to educate. This is a key area where they could certainly do some good.
Somewhat in the same vein, you have how the media portrayed the Civil Rights Movement. Even though they shot many of the stories from the point of view of the white law enforcement, and no doubt showed their bias in doing so, the images coming through people's TV screens did all the talking needed for many to understand the brutality of the struggle for equality. Seeing with their own eyes the fire hoses spraying women and children, and dogs viciously attacking people simply standing in the street helped many make up their minds around the country. It really did not matter what the broadcaster said, or the tone of the report. Images hold great power, and those were some of the most powerful.
It is time to use the media as a tool to promote knowledge of all the types of people we have in our country, and the place to start are the controlling interests. This is one of the biggest issues facing the media today. Who is pulling the strings?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Another way to look at it...
Here's another perspective on White Privilege. It's damn funny. If you're a minority, just wait for what he says about the future. Possible outcome.
This is socially tinted commentary carried via humor that says roughly the same thing that Tim Wise did.
"If you're white and you don't admit that it's great, you're an asshole". Basically states that we have an advantage, and if we don't admit it, we're being ridiculous.
Like Prior, Chappelle, or Rock, this guy is every bit as illuminating. A distinct voice.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Funniest man alive...
Louis C.K.
We're all spoiled. Everyone's privileged:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jETv3NURwLc
"New York to L.A. in five hours. That used to take 30 years". Know what this reminds me of? Anyone play "Oregon Trail" back in school? One of my kids always died of Typhoid.
The guy just made me laugh more in 4 minutes and 12 seconds than Dane Cook has in his entire career.
The government should subsidize his comedy. He should be in the stimulus package. It's more important than Pelosi's pet mice. What a joke. 30 million?
Louis makes me wonder though:
Do you think when a member of the "greatest generation's" car broke down trying to get their kids to school, an old timer born a couple decades after the Civil War would pop out of nowhere and say, "Not fast enough for ya? You're being drawn by a horseless carriage for crimminy sakes! Spoiled, the lot of ya!"?
Most probably. Things are speedier, but it's all relative.
"When you ran out of money, you said, 'I can't do any more things now'..."
I need to pay heed to that.
We're all spoiled. Everyone's privileged:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jETv3NURwLc
"New York to L.A. in five hours. That used to take 30 years". Know what this reminds me of? Anyone play "Oregon Trail" back in school? One of my kids always died of Typhoid.
The guy just made me laugh more in 4 minutes and 12 seconds than Dane Cook has in his entire career.
The government should subsidize his comedy. He should be in the stimulus package. It's more important than Pelosi's pet mice. What a joke. 30 million?
Louis makes me wonder though:
Do you think when a member of the "greatest generation's" car broke down trying to get their kids to school, an old timer born a couple decades after the Civil War would pop out of nowhere and say, "Not fast enough for ya? You're being drawn by a horseless carriage for crimminy sakes! Spoiled, the lot of ya!"?
Most probably. Things are speedier, but it's all relative.
"When you ran out of money, you said, 'I can't do any more things now'..."
I need to pay heed to that.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Must be chilly at the Gore household...
Ahhh, global warming.
Looks like the "inconvenient truth" may be more convenient than first surmised.
Yet another of the far-left liberals' causes looks to be somewhere in the middle:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/03/02/global-warming-pause.html
Just another prime example that things tend to be grey, not black and white. Are we doing things that cause damage to the atmosphere? Yes. Are greenhouse gasses building up and becoming an issue? Yes. Is it human hubris to believe that we are the only cause for a slight change (yes, slight, in terms of the earth's lifetime to this point) in the earth's climate? HELL YES.
Then again, Al Gore invented the Internet...and slacks (OK, he never said that last one. He might as well, though. Ever hear the term "windbag"?).
I leave you with this video of a man who usually says it better than I can think it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f21LmwI8MPk
Though hilarious, very spot on Dennis.
It's almost like some people need a catastrophe to worry about in their lives. I have no problem cutting the water when I brush my teeth, making sure the lights are off when I leave the house or even carpooling, but when I look at these people acting like the sun is going to become a red giant and kill us all in the next 100 years because we use fossil fuels...well, I got some land to sell you in Oklahoma with an ocean view, you got me?
How about these issues instead:
1) Militant religious nuts trying to kill me because I eat Big Mac's and take girls on dates in short skirts
2) The world economy (yes, WORLD) so far in the dumps we let our government pass a stimulus package no one even read for enough money to give Bill Gates a nocturnal emission
3) Two wars in the Middle East that need closure (Roman style)
4) The muzzling of Hollywood stars pontificating on politics and world matters when they have less than a high school education (OK...this is a personal beef)
Some of the things the far left and far right do just amazes me. I'm not trying to pick on anyone in particular (except maybe Gore).
Looks like the "inconvenient truth" may be more convenient than first surmised.
Yet another of the far-left liberals' causes looks to be somewhere in the middle:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/03/02/global-warming-pause.html
Just another prime example that things tend to be grey, not black and white. Are we doing things that cause damage to the atmosphere? Yes. Are greenhouse gasses building up and becoming an issue? Yes. Is it human hubris to believe that we are the only cause for a slight change (yes, slight, in terms of the earth's lifetime to this point) in the earth's climate? HELL YES.
Then again, Al Gore invented the Internet...and slacks (OK, he never said that last one. He might as well, though. Ever hear the term "windbag"?).
I leave you with this video of a man who usually says it better than I can think it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f21LmwI8MPk
Though hilarious, very spot on Dennis.
It's almost like some people need a catastrophe to worry about in their lives. I have no problem cutting the water when I brush my teeth, making sure the lights are off when I leave the house or even carpooling, but when I look at these people acting like the sun is going to become a red giant and kill us all in the next 100 years because we use fossil fuels...well, I got some land to sell you in Oklahoma with an ocean view, you got me?
How about these issues instead:
1) Militant religious nuts trying to kill me because I eat Big Mac's and take girls on dates in short skirts
2) The world economy (yes, WORLD) so far in the dumps we let our government pass a stimulus package no one even read for enough money to give Bill Gates a nocturnal emission
3) Two wars in the Middle East that need closure (Roman style)
4) The muzzling of Hollywood stars pontificating on politics and world matters when they have less than a high school education (OK...this is a personal beef)
Some of the things the far left and far right do just amazes me. I'm not trying to pick on anyone in particular (except maybe Gore).
Forgetful little nation, we are...
Isn't it amazing that the collective memory of our country can be so myopic?
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE7DB153EF933A0575AC0A96F958260
Last time I heard, this was all Bush's fault.
What administration did the article, and the notoriously liberal NY Times, state was pushing expansion of mortgage loans to poor people who had no business having loan payments?
The now golden Clinton administration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHTzi6nRUE
This makes me think that the Bush administraion will be remembered more fondly in a decade, especially after we realize the weight this stimulus package places on all of our shoulders.
Damn it. At least try and blame the current credit crisis on the Republican majority in the House and Senate at that time.
We see what we want to, don't we?
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE7DB153EF933A0575AC0A96F958260
Last time I heard, this was all Bush's fault.
What administration did the article, and the notoriously liberal NY Times, state was pushing expansion of mortgage loans to poor people who had no business having loan payments?
The now golden Clinton administration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHTzi6nRUE
This makes me think that the Bush administraion will be remembered more fondly in a decade, especially after we realize the weight this stimulus package places on all of our shoulders.
Damn it. At least try and blame the current credit crisis on the Republican majority in the House and Senate at that time.
We see what we want to, don't we?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Gender and Racial Stereotypes in Media
NOTE: The links in this post are to two episodes of popular TV sitcoms that have stereotypes in them. And, yes, they are absolutely hilarious and critically acclaimed.
NOTE #2: Upon watching the episode of "30 Rock", I realized that the show is jam packed with racial and cultural stereotypes, and, yes, it is hilarious. Read on for my reasoning. It applies.
1/26/09 (date published) - People magazine
Magazine advertisement
USA TV show "Burn Notice"
Shows the protagonist and his attractive female counterpart with the line, "burned man, smoking woman" between them. He's aggressively holding a gun while she is unarmed and walking in a sexy manner towards the reader
Gender stereotypes/assumptions
2/22/09 (date purchased) - Don Miguel's beef and cheese mini dumplings
Logo for product
The logo for this food product is a Mexican man with a mustache dressed in a sombrero, serape, and white shirt and pants riding a donkey. The company who produces the food is located in Anaheim, CA
Racial stereotype
2/23/09 - CBS - Network. 8:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"Worst Week"
When arguing over whether they even need a sofa, Angela says to her husband, who insinuated it wasn't important, "Well, we certainly do. We're not Japanese, Dick"
Racial stereotype
2/25/09 - ABC - Network. 9pm
TV show/sitcom
"Life on Mars"
All the police officers in the 125 precinct call Anne Norris, a female officer, "No Nuts Norris", among other disparaging comments
Offensive remarks concerning gender
2/26/09 - NBC -Network. 8:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"30 Rock"
Taxi driver is Arab for no other reason than for comedic effect
Racial stereotype
2/28/09 - espn.com
Web advertisement
Castrol Edge Motor Oil
"Think with your dipstick" ad campaign shows men (no women) being whipped by an angry Scotsman when they allude to the fact that all engine oil is the same
Gender stereotype
2/28/09 (date watched) - DVD
Film
"Blue Streak"
Synopsis: Dopish white cops are fooled into believing that a black criminal is a cop because he knows more about crime than they ever could.
Racial stereotypes abound
3/1/09 (date read) - Esquire magazine
Magazine article
Subject of article: Natalie Gulbis and rebirth of LPGA
Article discusses the new direction of the LPGA based, for the most part, on younger players' looks, not ability (though it notes that the girls aren't at all bad).
Gender stereotypes
3/1/09 - ESPN - Network. 9:45 pm
Television advertisement
Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
A classic: half nude women in bathing suits shown in the pages of a sports publication, if, for no other reason, to sell magazines to the male majority targeted by the magazine
Gender stereotypes
3/1/09 - HBO - Network. 9:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"Eastbound & Down"
When looking for steroids, Kenny Powers asks his deadbeat friend if "that black guy who sold him all that Cialis" would have any, signifying that this man was a drug dealer
Racial stereotype
ANALYSIS OF EXERCISE:
I would assume (not brashly, I hope) that most of the people who partook in this exercise knew that the media was chock full of stereotypes. We digest them daily. Yet, having been a part of this, it was amazing how, when forced to take note, the stereotypical material jumps off of the page/screen. Having started this late due to a trip, it didn't take me long to pinpoint numerous accounts of racial/gender driven commentary in the media I personally consume. Though eye opening to a degree, I want to state my opinion on what I observed.
Many of the instances occurred in comedic forums. I laughed. I found them funny. But this does not mean I believe the references to be altruistic. For example, the character of the taxi driver in the episode of "30 Rock" did not have to be an Arab (hell, Arab may be insensitive. I tried to Google it). I have had numerous cabies in NYC that were not Arabs. A good many were. Yet, the character, in this instance, was funny (the actor is a notorious humorist). And, though presumptive, I took little away that would hinder my opinion of any type of people (Sidebar: I did find it somewhat ironic that "30 Rock", known for its trail blazing creator Tina Fey, who is painted as a powerful and liberated woman by many outlets, had this blatantly stereotypical image).
Here's why I didn't have a problem with it: I am media savvy. I don't take everything tossed at me from a magazine or the idiot box at face value (which is a deceptive nickname since I got Discovery HD theatre and the Science Network HD). I find stereotypical humor can be funny. If stereotypes are grounded in truth, however small, why can't we laugh at the outliers in our society? They can be somewhat absurd, no?
Let's draw a line in the sand now that we have this out in the open. I don't condone abusive or mean spirited commentary on anyone. If, using the same example from above, the character of the cab driver would have been an outright caricature with no purpose but to insult someone, then that is not acceptable. That has no value, whereas this option playfully exposed an eccentric truth nestled into a cultural tapestry, of sorts. His character also advanced the plot in ways other than just being an Arab taxi driver.
This idea goes for the episode of "Worst Week", as well. The joke itself is pointed as much at a stereotype that Japanese people don't have sofas as it is at Angela herself, for being so obtuse to not realize modern Japan has, indeed, grasped the useful nature of furniture. As one digests the humor, one realizes that Angela has a picture of traditional, feudal Japan in her head, not the modern nation we see today.
The images I found most confronting, and I would have never uttered this prior to the experience, were those of gender. The use of women as sexual objects to illicit a persuasive reaction in men, or even women themselves, was dramatic. The advertisement for the TV show "Burn Notice" could have been a part of the curriculum in a gender roles class. The man, angry, volatile and armed, while the woman is sleek, gliding towards the reader with a "come hither" look on her features. In between the two: "burned man, smoking woman". Just very low brow now that I ponder it. It's actually a great show...so...
Back to my previous line of thought. I can read that and know how silly the ad is, but still feel fine watching the show because I' not doing it because I was persuaded by some silly ad. Not only that, but the content of the show is going to be scrutinized much like the ad to decided if I like the show or not. In this case, I do. It's not simply T&A laid over a terrible plot (insert any show with Pam Anderson in it). How did I do this? I was taught how to analyze books and film and media through education, but also in the home.
Our media is oft maligned for the images it produces, and, yes, many are irresponsible. If I could wiggle my nose like a stereotypical witch of TV past and make the executives and employees realize that there is a better way (within reason), I would. I like women as much as the next guy, but I don't need to be bombarded with pornographic imagery (classy, sexy is fine with me). Where can we make the dent then? On our end. If we taught our children that the Castrol commercial, though an initial roll on the floor, is violent and stupid (don't women change their oil? Wouldn't they want their cars to last longer? They do own cars Castrol...), and we did this for everything we watched with them, they'd grown into conscientious and wise consumers of this land-mine filled media landscape we live in.
We don't need help from anyone else, just those near us.
P.S. Why could Mel Brooks get away with making "Blazing Saddles"? Because he was Jewish? I think so. And, yes, it's one of the funniest movies ever made. I know it's not based in total truth. Why? I'm media savvyyyyyyyy....
NOTE #2: Upon watching the episode of "30 Rock", I realized that the show is jam packed with racial and cultural stereotypes, and, yes, it is hilarious. Read on for my reasoning. It applies.
1/26/09 (date published) - People magazine
Magazine advertisement
USA TV show "Burn Notice"
Shows the protagonist and his attractive female counterpart with the line, "burned man, smoking woman" between them. He's aggressively holding a gun while she is unarmed and walking in a sexy manner towards the reader
Gender stereotypes/assumptions
2/22/09 (date purchased) - Don Miguel's beef and cheese mini dumplings
Logo for product
The logo for this food product is a Mexican man with a mustache dressed in a sombrero, serape, and white shirt and pants riding a donkey. The company who produces the food is located in Anaheim, CA
Racial stereotype
2/23/09 - CBS - Network. 8:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"Worst Week"
When arguing over whether they even need a sofa, Angela says to her husband, who insinuated it wasn't important, "Well, we certainly do. We're not Japanese, Dick"
Racial stereotype
2/25/09 - ABC - Network. 9pm
TV show/sitcom
"Life on Mars"
All the police officers in the 125 precinct call Anne Norris, a female officer, "No Nuts Norris", among other disparaging comments
Offensive remarks concerning gender
2/26/09 - NBC -Network. 8:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"30 Rock"
Taxi driver is Arab for no other reason than for comedic effect
Racial stereotype
2/28/09 - espn.com
Web advertisement
Castrol Edge Motor Oil
"Think with your dipstick" ad campaign shows men (no women) being whipped by an angry Scotsman when they allude to the fact that all engine oil is the same
Gender stereotype
2/28/09 (date watched) - DVD
Film
"Blue Streak"
Synopsis: Dopish white cops are fooled into believing that a black criminal is a cop because he knows more about crime than they ever could.
Racial stereotypes abound
3/1/09 (date read) - Esquire magazine
Magazine article
Subject of article: Natalie Gulbis and rebirth of LPGA
Article discusses the new direction of the LPGA based, for the most part, on younger players' looks, not ability (though it notes that the girls aren't at all bad).
Gender stereotypes
3/1/09 - ESPN - Network. 9:45 pm
Television advertisement
Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
A classic: half nude women in bathing suits shown in the pages of a sports publication, if, for no other reason, to sell magazines to the male majority targeted by the magazine
Gender stereotypes
3/1/09 - HBO - Network. 9:30 pm
TV show/sitcom
"Eastbound & Down"
When looking for steroids, Kenny Powers asks his deadbeat friend if "that black guy who sold him all that Cialis" would have any, signifying that this man was a drug dealer
Racial stereotype
ANALYSIS OF EXERCISE:
I would assume (not brashly, I hope) that most of the people who partook in this exercise knew that the media was chock full of stereotypes. We digest them daily. Yet, having been a part of this, it was amazing how, when forced to take note, the stereotypical material jumps off of the page/screen. Having started this late due to a trip, it didn't take me long to pinpoint numerous accounts of racial/gender driven commentary in the media I personally consume. Though eye opening to a degree, I want to state my opinion on what I observed.
Many of the instances occurred in comedic forums. I laughed. I found them funny. But this does not mean I believe the references to be altruistic. For example, the character of the taxi driver in the episode of "30 Rock" did not have to be an Arab (hell, Arab may be insensitive. I tried to Google it). I have had numerous cabies in NYC that were not Arabs. A good many were. Yet, the character, in this instance, was funny (the actor is a notorious humorist). And, though presumptive, I took little away that would hinder my opinion of any type of people (Sidebar: I did find it somewhat ironic that "30 Rock", known for its trail blazing creator Tina Fey, who is painted as a powerful and liberated woman by many outlets, had this blatantly stereotypical image).
Here's why I didn't have a problem with it: I am media savvy. I don't take everything tossed at me from a magazine or the idiot box at face value (which is a deceptive nickname since I got Discovery HD theatre and the Science Network HD). I find stereotypical humor can be funny. If stereotypes are grounded in truth, however small, why can't we laugh at the outliers in our society? They can be somewhat absurd, no?
Let's draw a line in the sand now that we have this out in the open. I don't condone abusive or mean spirited commentary on anyone. If, using the same example from above, the character of the cab driver would have been an outright caricature with no purpose but to insult someone, then that is not acceptable. That has no value, whereas this option playfully exposed an eccentric truth nestled into a cultural tapestry, of sorts. His character also advanced the plot in ways other than just being an Arab taxi driver.
This idea goes for the episode of "Worst Week", as well. The joke itself is pointed as much at a stereotype that Japanese people don't have sofas as it is at Angela herself, for being so obtuse to not realize modern Japan has, indeed, grasped the useful nature of furniture. As one digests the humor, one realizes that Angela has a picture of traditional, feudal Japan in her head, not the modern nation we see today.
The images I found most confronting, and I would have never uttered this prior to the experience, were those of gender. The use of women as sexual objects to illicit a persuasive reaction in men, or even women themselves, was dramatic. The advertisement for the TV show "Burn Notice" could have been a part of the curriculum in a gender roles class. The man, angry, volatile and armed, while the woman is sleek, gliding towards the reader with a "come hither" look on her features. In between the two: "burned man, smoking woman". Just very low brow now that I ponder it. It's actually a great show...so...
Back to my previous line of thought. I can read that and know how silly the ad is, but still feel fine watching the show because I' not doing it because I was persuaded by some silly ad. Not only that, but the content of the show is going to be scrutinized much like the ad to decided if I like the show or not. In this case, I do. It's not simply T&A laid over a terrible plot (insert any show with Pam Anderson in it). How did I do this? I was taught how to analyze books and film and media through education, but also in the home.
Our media is oft maligned for the images it produces, and, yes, many are irresponsible. If I could wiggle my nose like a stereotypical witch of TV past and make the executives and employees realize that there is a better way (within reason), I would. I like women as much as the next guy, but I don't need to be bombarded with pornographic imagery (classy, sexy is fine with me). Where can we make the dent then? On our end. If we taught our children that the Castrol commercial, though an initial roll on the floor, is violent and stupid (don't women change their oil? Wouldn't they want their cars to last longer? They do own cars Castrol...), and we did this for everything we watched with them, they'd grown into conscientious and wise consumers of this land-mine filled media landscape we live in.
We don't need help from anyone else, just those near us.
P.S. Why could Mel Brooks get away with making "Blazing Saddles"? Because he was Jewish? I think so. And, yes, it's one of the funniest movies ever made. I know it's not based in total truth. Why? I'm media savvyyyyyyyy....
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