accept all types...not stereotypes!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Film:  Lakeview Terrace

Viewed around 7:30 p.m.

RE: Inter-racial relationships

I hadn’t realized the depth of the premise of the movie (which included an African-American cop hedging himself against his next-door neighbors, an inter-racial couple) until watching it.  It was very interesting to see exactly what point of view certain people are coming from in regards to particular kinds of relationships.  

Monday, February 23, 2009

Personal Conversation with C. B.* at 10 p.m.

He said: “It was good seeing you today at the gym.  We usually don’t see a lot of girls actually workin’ hard in the weight room.”

 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Personal Conversation with my Caucasian female roommate who is dating an African-American male

Took place from 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

RE: Inter-racial relationships

Internet: Youtube.com video: McCain calls Obama “that one”

Viewed at 11:45 p.m.

Obama is readily objectified through McCain's use of language.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkykrDu32Wo

 

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Film: Boyz in the Hood

Viewed in African-American Studies class, Blacks and the Movies (W 3 – 6 p.m.)

Throughout the movie, constant references were made in regards to females as being “bitches” and “hoes”--à gender portrayal.

Personal encounter: The HUFF

Basketball games at 8 p.m.

All White male team versus all Black male team were playing a pick-up game...the Black team won.

 

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Music: Playing at “At The Beach” Tanning Salon at 7:15 a.m.

HD Radio à Song played: Don’t Trust Me by 3oh!3

Lyrics: Don’t trust a hoe

Never trust a hoe

Won’t trust a hoe, won’t trust me!

Shush girl

Shut your lips

Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips

Television: America’s Best Dance Crew

MTV Series viewed at 9 p.m.

Quest Crew vs. Flipbook (all-male dance group versus all-female group)  

At the conclusion of the round, the judges commented on the fact that the females were able to display “athleticism,” while athleticism seems to be expected in the male groups.

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/345332/fly-khicks.jhtml#id=1605911

 

Friday, February 27, 2009

Billboard for a new housing development outside of McKinney, Texas: Savannah Homes

Seen while traveling east on US 380 at 3:30 p.m.

The ad pictured an all-white family (with two blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girls) smiling happily at the camera looking “picture perfect”.

 

Television/Commercial: Church’s Fried Chicken viewed at 5:55 p.m.

Following the sitcom My Wife and Kids

Featured predominantly Black and Hispanic people in advertisement while selling fried chicken.

Unfortunately, it does not surprise me at all that there remains today excessive amounts of stereotyping in the media.  Regrettably, media outlets of every kind have taken it upon themselves to formulate images that then readily define people as parts of groups instead of as unique individuals.  These images compartmentalize people, putting us in boxes that are overwhelmingly difficult to break out of because of society’s willingness to follow trends and take the “easy way out.” This approach lacks understanding, consideration and respect for others and their true identities.  It requires dedication and a willingness to work to more fully understand people on a deeper level to recognize that many of these dangerous stereotypes are very harmful and hurtful for the people of our society.  Others are not the only people affected by media’s static images… they are constantly attributing certain characteristics about every single type of person.  Everyone is affected by them.  I am a Caucasian female and I am stereotyped in certain ways as well.  Not only does my field of study throw people off sometimes, but I have also gotten extremely horrendous questions regarding my motivations in taking on my African-American studies major.  I have purposefully placed myself in a position that has allowed me to more fully understand the workings of the world around me by participating in-depth in studies of race and gender.  Yet, people don’t want to let me stop at the fact that I simply want to learn how to look at the world around me in a different way than most others see it and the people who are walking through life in it.  However, when people see a young Caucasian female in classes dominated heavily by people of divergent races, they start to raise questions.  One of the most ghastly questions I get a lot is if I’m in it because I’m a “jersey chaser.”  Well, if you went by society’s stereotypes; then yes, you would assume I was.  However, that is not why I am here and that is not why I am interested in erasing stereotypical boundaries that detach and separate people.   I have been questioned about my group of friends which DOES include those of different races and my willingness to involve myself in cultures that are not familiar to many people. For me, the possibility that I have formed close friendships with these individuals based solely on them as people, rather than the color of their skin, their hobbies, or the stereotypes they may be haunted with is undoubted. Yet people continue to ask why I have chosen this path. It saddens me that people even feel the need to ask.  My response to them is “Why not?” And even more, “why WON’T you do this, too?” This answer is simple for many people…comfort. We are comfortable with our assessments made on first judgments of people around us, largely based on societal stereotypes. We are comfortable with our group of friends, at our comfortable table, in our comfortable corner in the Student Union.  As my group of friends has continued to become more and more diverse, the topic of inter-racial relationships (friendships and intimate) has become popular in discussion and has been more noticeable in things happening around us, especially media outlets portraying these relationships. It’s quite unfortunate that people today can rarely form relationships without them being typified and defined by the stereotypes that they carry with them.  

It is also unfortunate that the media continues to promulgate the images such as the favorite foods of African Americans being fried chicken and watermelon; that star athletes are black; that optimal happiness is achieved by the blond-haired, blue-eyed family of photogenic darlings and that women are portrayed as “bitches” and “hoes.”  Were it not for the constant barrage of billboards, television advertisements, hit songs on the radio and magazine covers reinforcing all these negative attitudes, society might have a better chance to overcome these adverse ways of judging and segmenting people.    

Miss March Mayhem...

Laughter was not uncommon throughout Hollywood Theatre on Tuesday night as a few hundred people previewed the upcoming movie release, “Miss March”.  However, much of the comedy came at a high cost—though it is a cost most are willing to pay for an hour and a half of “humor.”  Stereotypes, especially those regarding gender, were promoted throughout the entire movie.  Women were made to appear as indulgent, sexual fantasies, present only for the pleasure of their male pursuers.  The ideal appearance of women, complete with large breasts, round butt, perfect curves and flawless features, was advanced endlessly.  The only woman who actually stuck up for herself in some way was posed as a crazy, albeit attractive, lunatic.  Yet, even she gets sucked into the lifestyle that males fantasize about—one founded on sex.  And I doubt that viewers were thinking about females’ intellectual abilities or strong sense of character when they watched a girl unlock a door with her tongue in the movie.  

However, instead of addressing the “butt and boob” camera angles that prevailed in a movie centered on Hef’s perfectly-engineered playmates, I want to talk about the slapstick angle that was taken regarding the men in the movie.  On one hand, we have Tucker who is the stereotypical, sex-crazed, loopy, immature young guy whose life pretty much is measured by sexual encounters rather than days or weeks.  In addition, he regularly evades entering in a strong relationship that is based on more than “banging each other.”  On the other hand, we see the atypical young male, Eugene, who has deep emotion invested in his relationship with his girlfriend—a relationship that is not based on physical intimacy in the slightest.  In fact, it takes the encouragement of the girlfriend to get him to consider the prospect of sleeping with her in the typical prom night scenario.  He is purported to be spineless, requiring excessive amounts of alcohol to work him up to becoming “a man.”  His passive stance on sex was negated throughout the movie and made to be a comical aspect of the film.  It seems that one reason for this is because it has become abnormal in the media for males to deeply respect females and their relationships.  His anger at Horsedick.Mpeg (an up and coming hip-hop artist who assumes the stereotype of the typical profane, grotesque, sex-oriented star) is almost mocked for being too emotional.  Throughout the movie, he is made the obvious anomaly of the male species because he’s not constantly referring to girls as “bitches” or still experiencing overflows of testosterone that drive him into a sex-crazed stupor at the sight of a beautiful female. Eugene exhibits femininity in his actions and reactions to situations, which makes him the butt of a lot of the humor throughout the movie, largely because he does not live up to the macho, hyper-masculine standard that pervades films today.  Even the name “Eugene” has a somewhat “nerdy” connotation” in the media. 

What I find disappointing about this film and others like it is that so many standards, morals, or values are degraded simply to draw crowds, laughter, and profit. What makes things even worse is that the film’s plot and theme repeatedly portray women as sex objects and men use them as spare objects.  It saddens me to think that people watch these movies and subconsciously assimilate all of the messages the media has to offer them, without realizing the raunchy ideas and negations of individual standards that they are endorsing. 

Posh or Punk? What's the basis for deciding?

After watching the Tim Wise video in class, what do you think about the idea of privilege? Please support your answers. 

I think the concept of privilege is still very prevalent today. Just as Wise described in his discussions with law enforcement officers, the simple lack of being profiled solely on the basis of race in the case of the young white male driving a nice car should be counted as unearned privilege.  Peggy McIntosh, in White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences' Through Work in Women's Studies, also addresses this issue by stating, "The appearance of being a good citizen rather than a troublemaker comes in large part from having all sorts of doors open automatically because of my color."  

It seems as though McIntosh and Wise’s ideas on the definition and implementation of privilege coincide.  Both do an excellent job of relaying the idea of white denial as a major detriment in moving forward to further eliminate racist constructs.  McIntosh says, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.”

How does the media utilize privilege in media representation? Give examples.

Unfortunately, just as it is overwhelmingly difficult to find a single individual who provides completely unbiased opinions and information, it is rare to find a media outlet that does not utilize privilege in media representation.  Without even knowing it, by portraying certain stereotypes like the “dumb blonde” or “Black gangster”, generalizations are reinforced.  In this, certain groups are being built up and other groups are being broken down.  Stereotypes are recreated so that they are further molded into the depths of people’s brains to be understood in terms of the “that’s just the way it is” type of mindset.  In “The Brady Bunch,” for example, a white American family is seen as the ideal, working together to solve their daily problems and always finishing the show with a happy ending.  This isn’t considered abnormal.  The same goes for the obstacle-studded yet mostly happy-go-lucky-way-of-life for the characters in “Clarissa Explains It All.”  And when you do see a “normal” idyllic African-American family on television, such as on the “Cosby Show,” most would probably think, “oh how nice it is to see a family that has stepped up and not conformed to the ways of their race” instead of, it’s just another typical American family sitcom. Why can’t they be just another American TV show? Because the Cosbys don’t fit the norm.  Do we see any powerful African-American women entering the set of “Sex and the City,” any reality TV shows about 20-something year old, thriving African-American women in the Hills of Hollywood, or young affluent African-Americans in “Gossip Girls” living the privileged, up-town lifestyle.  And finally, the CW has a new show out titled “Privileged” based the posh, and need I say, privileged, lifestyles of some young Caucasians “living the life” in the high society of Palm Beach.  The only African-American in the regular cast, Marco, is a sexy, live-in chef. Hmmm.  Need I say more?

For the next several days, please keep a list (try) of the privileges you see in your daily experiences.  They can be your privileges or what you believe to be someone else's privilege. You should have a minimum of eight and they will be listed in your blog. 

When I walk into a department store, the store clerk follows me with suggested additional purchases instead of the suspicion that I am trying to steal something.

I can go to the bank to get a loan without worrying that they will turn me away based on my race. 

I likely won’t be stopped trying to cross the border because of the suspicion that I am a danger to another society.

When I watched Disney movies when I was young, I was watching princesses (and princes) of my own race.

If I don’t go to class, don’t turn in assignments, or don’t show up to work, my laziness will not be attributed to my race.

If I do badly in a class, my failure will not be said to be a result of my race and my overall intelligence not questioned.

When I walk into Wal-Mart to the Maybelline area of the cosmetics section, I can be fairly sure they will have the color foundation I need or have a wide range of choices for me to choose from.

If I can’t dance or don’t have any athletic ability, I am not considered an anomaly of my race.

Do you think society still believes in the one drop rule?  

My answer to this inquiry is a resounding YES.  To support my answer, I simply look to the OU campus and the interactions and perceptions within the student body.   Walking along campus, I have come to realize that if someone sees me, there is absolutely no question as to what race I embody.  Without a second glance, they pass by because who questions the “norm”? However, on the other hand, those who may have a hint of color in their skin are instantly labeled as some kind of “different” even if people can’t nail down exactly what that difference is.  And unfortunately, while society wants to say it carries the idea that different isn’t bad, “different” carries a negative connotation that says individuals who don’t precisely fit the white normative standard are second-rate. 

Reflection:  At the end of the video Tim Wise talked about responsibility of knowledge and Beverly Tatum (1992) suggests that as adults we have a responsibility to identify new information and change our behavior based on this new found awareness.  Please discuss from your perspective.  

As we endeavor to gain valuable information and recognize differences in our daily experiences, we must also be willing to not only learn of these differences but also act to better the circumstances. I have always been taught that it is imperative to actually critique, analyze and further develop ideas after gaining foundational information. In doing this, we can form a type of knowledge that is then helpful in creating a certain wisdom in how to deal with situations and obstacles regarding privilege and racism that are imminent in today’s societies. Albert Einstein once said, “Information is not knowledge.”  Instead, it is vital to do something with that knowledge instead of allowing it to become stagnant, unused simple fact somewhere in the subconscious. Instead, I have learned to apply information I gain to reality, to my life and the lives of those around me in order to further formulate an understanding that is deeper– a type of comprehension that intertwines many pieces of information into a web that can be considered a solid argument or a strong belief system.  In this class, we have already learned of some of the many problems that plague our media and our culture today.  However, Johann Wolfgang said, “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Not only must we know about these issues, we must actually apply our knowledge and our understanding in both critical academic analysis and, more importantly, a personal analysis of life, what has made things the way they are, and how to move forward in a healthy way.

We can and should be a part of the solution to the problems that we encounter each and every day, especially as we are made more and more aware of the presence of the man privileges we are provided. However, I am incredibly concerned that society has become decidedly complacent in their efforts to continue to move forward toward a completely unbiased lifestyle.  We cannot simply acknowledge that racism exists and do nothing to curb its impact and place in society.  We must acknowledge the fact that at the expense of others, some are privileged simply on the basis of the color of their skin.   Those who experience privilege because of their race must recognize the fact that, not only do they gain certain privileges, but someone else is also losing at the very same moment that they are winning. The problem with this, for many people, lies in the fact that acknowledging the presence and prominence of racial privilege would then put people in a state of responsibility and accountability to change.  Open discussion about white privilege is habitually discouraged, even more overwhelmingly in “mixed company”, because of the heated dialogue that could ensue and possibly even bring about “radical” change.  Yet, in reality, this is the only way to begin a reformation of ideas, mindsets, prejudices, and lifestyles. 

Susan B. Anthony once said,

“Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.”

For further information, please see: 

White Privilege, White Entitlement and the 2008 Election by Tim Wise:

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1755

Tim Wise’s further explanation of his theories on white privilege: 

http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/09/tim_wises_response_to_his_orig.html

"Privileged":http://cwtv.com/shows/privileged/about

 

Sexy, Dumb, and Stereotyped...

Through a myriad of powerful and life-changing experiences, I have learned that judging by first impressions or outward appearances is quite possibly one of THE most harmful tendencies of our culture today. It doesn’t make sense to me why, if a girl is beautiful, with features exquisite enough to be a vogue model, she is most likely automatically stereotyped as lacking intelligence. It doesn’t make sense to me why, if someone sees a young African-American male on campus with a highly defined, muscular build, they are generalized as an athlete and with that single assumption, the stereotypes start to flow. 

What bothers me is that there is so much more to people than the way they look.  People aren’t usually willing to probe deeper to find out the inner workings of a person…we prefer to remain at the surface-level. 

When guys are startled by an intelligent female and students are surprised to sit by an articulate athlete or a non-athletic young Black man, we should know we’ve got problems. The media does, in fact, play upon many of these stereotypes since they are considered to be cultural norms.  These norms characteristically go unquestioned because they have been made standard.  Movies depict female action heroes such as Lara Croft as sex objects (Cristina Lucia Stasia), hyper-feminize television actresses as the submissive housewife, make them power-hungry female CEOs, or render young women as dense and obtuse.  Just watch Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girls, White Chicks or Mean Girls.  We produce films that reinforce the stereotypes of the gangster-like African-American male, tainted by crime and violence, or the African-American man who reaches the height of success solely due to his athletic prowess.  We describe Black females as having big butts and big lips and then proceed to place them in one of four categories:  mammies, matriarchs, Jezebels, and Welfare Mamas. Aside from the mammy stereotype, none of these representations correspond with the role of a “normal”  woman, mother, and home-maker (typically portrayed by the white female).  Instead, they are assumed to be living off of the government and largely neglectful of their families.  Anyone who has ever watched Big Momma’s House or Take the Lead can attest to these unfortunate portrayals.  

  

Stereotypes are very, very dangerous, not only to the overall health of our culture, but also to the ability to define oneself instead of having it assumed for you. These unfortunate images provide powerful ideologies about people’s existence, ones that do not correctly identify each and every unique individual.  Some prefer for stereotypes to remain in place because it gives them power, attention and sometimes, even unearned privilege. But think about how many people are getting hurt by false assumptions and generalizations based on the length and foreign pronunciation of their last name or the pigment of their skin. Consider this real-life experience:  In class one day, a highly intellectual, reflective question was posed.  It was one of those questions that caused blank stares on the faces around the room.  One of the African-American football players, sitting at the back of the room, put up his hand to be called upon.  The students around me were baffled.  Could he really have an answer?  They doubted his intellect and academic ability because of the many stereotypes that had been assigned to him because he was both black and an athlete.  You have absolutely no idea how ecstatic I was when he gave one of the most comprehensive and insightful answers that had been provided throughout that entire semester.  He proved them wrong and all of their prejudices invalid. The frustration that continues with the naïve people of the world today, however, stems even more from this moment.  

Marginalizing people in this way is a scary inclination as it supposedly makes social constructions neater and more organized.  But in reality, this approach is only making a bigger mess of things.  And as some try to clean up the mess, most just walk by and claim that they will work on it later.  As time passes and the chaos continues, think about how many opportunities to hire the most qualified candidate or strike up a new friendship will be missed.    

For further information, see:

godaddy.com Super Bowl Commercials: http://videos.godaddy.com/super-bowl-commercials.aspx

What is a stereotype? http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/stereotypes.htm

Dumbed-Down Girls...http://www.wimnonline.org/WIMNsVoicesBlog/?p=610

Above images from: http://cndls.georgetown.edu/applications/posterTool/index.cfm?fuseaction=poster.display&posterID=3103