As you know, I (pretentiously) dislike television, mostly for its passiveness, its general perpetuation of conventions and stereotypes, and the inane commercials that slice it up.
Today I had myself a Target: Women marathon and seeing advertisements reduced to their exploitative, stereotyping strategies was almost intellectually offensive. If that sounds a little pretentious to you, just have a look.
Which makes me think of Britain's push to ban excessive Photoshopping, or to at least require "media literacy" classes in school. In high school I was fortunate enough to take such a class and obviously, its lessons have left me a much more savvy, informed viewer. And it's also why I try to avoid the whole mess altogether.
I recently responded to an acquaintance's "I just don't agree with the lifestyle" argument for inequality with a challenge to reconsider. This woman had the audacity to tell me that she "respects me" and "not to take offense" because she "won't apologize for her beliefs" and that her "gay friends" still accept her, so it's all okay, right?
I feel sorry for anyone who considers the above to be logical arguments or anecdotes. Choosing to ride a bicycle is a "lifestyle," who I am attracted to is not. Telling someone you "respect" her yet do not believe she deserves equality is anything but respect since it denies one her humanity all together. You think segregation was born out of "respect?" Should I not take offense to blatant inequality? Should I not be offended by racism or sexism? Yes, your "beliefs" are offensive because I am just as human as you are. Shame on her "gay friends" for allowing themselves to be so disrespected because equality is a battle that you won't win in the streets, it's one you will win with open discussions.
Mostly, however, it is tremendously disappointing and heartbreaking. And frustrating. These are the weakest and most hurtful arguments for the opposition to gay marriage because they are basically discrimination ignorantly disguised with a veil of placation. I told her I was disappointed and hurt, and left her with a dare to reevaluate her position, and have since cased communication. I try to populate my life with only good, positive people.
Naturally, I was tickled with yet another gem from Current which, like Target: Women, comically exposes stereotypes and fallacies in our media and society.
To lighten the mood around here, I present to you a charming Brazilian PSA urging (Hahah, get it?) people to urinate in the shower to conserve water.
Yours Truly has been practicing water conservation for years!
All right, so maybe advertising isn't all that bad.
Posts
1 comment:
Regarding your reference to Photoshopping and women's images, here is an interesting and informative article from last Sunday's L.A. Times: http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-photoshop2-2009aug02,0,3129812.story
The article is good because it looks at the issue from different sides. I agree with you, that excessive use of Photoshop creates unrealistic images/expectations in young women. Now even young men are being affected, they feel inadequate if they don't have a six-pack.
Let me ask you something. Dutch painter Peter Paul Rubens painted women who were, to put it mildly, rather chunky. His paintings represented the populat culture of the time - generously proportioned women were in vogue. My questions is this, did Ruben's paintings make "skinny" women feel inadequate? I guess we need to make people feel valued because of who they are and not for what they look like...maybe some day.
Post a Comment