I agree with Bell Hook's assertions in her movie Cultural Criticism and Transformation. The media does further racism, sexism and misogyny. She brings up how popular culture has power in our everyday life, which can be interplay. I also think its true how the media has control over our imaginations and how it reproduces racial stereotypes with white supremacy. The media used movies as a tool to make the white man seem like the “good guy” or “hero” while a black male was seen as the “bad guy.” However in movies today I haven’t really seen it change much either. I don’t think there are many movies out there that would show these ideas in a different light. Females are also shown in a different light. There is an unacceptable male diversion of the female body, according to Bell Hook. In movies they are perceived to act a certain way and look a certain way. Also it is seen to be a social norm for them to be seen as a sex symbol or object.
For example, the clip on Madonna showed her to be a female artist in the 80’s breaking new ground. She also saw herself as engaging with feminist politics, but she received so much attention because she put herself in the position of a women who was going to break new ground, and challenge the industry norms. She showed a reinvestment of patriarchy though by the idea of stardom, and how you must reproduce yourself again and again to renew interest for the viewers. She symbolized greed with her new images all the time. She also spoke about being one way, yet she posed for all the magazines with raunchy images of herself which go against her “being a powerful women” and doing it for the profit and making more money.
I agree with you. I found it interesting in Bell Hooks refereed to the movie Hoop dreams that the "good guy" wasn't the boy that wanted to get a better education but the guys that choose to play basketball were considered the most important characters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how black males are always made to look like the villain, even today. It would be interesting to see a black male as a hero who is confronting a white villain. I wonder how the public would interpret that. In a way I liken this issue to the movie, "The Dark Knight." Bruce Wayne is a rich white male with much respect in the community but once he puts on the black "Bat-suit" he is considered not so much of a hero even though he is doing what is right. I hope this is not too much of a stretch but it is a subtle fact of the movie. It is interesting there has not been a black male playing Batman and that the suit always remains jet black.
ReplyDeletePertain the Madonna comment, I agree that she used the wrong tactics to gain power, yet it is a struggle for she did not single handidly create the unwritten qualifications for female power. Throughout history it seems as though males have gained power through jobs and money, while women needed to portray their sex appeal to get any attention at all. It is sad the Madonna gives into this idea of "female power", for actions in face do speak louder than words.
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct in your comment that it seems in almost every movie, the media portrays the white man as the "good guy" and the black man as the "bad guy". I also think that Tom made an interesting point-it would be interesting to see a black male as the hero confronting a white villain. On another movie note,Disney has finally made a movie with a black princess that's a small step, right?
ReplyDeleteNice analysis of Madonna. In many ways, Lady Gaga has become the new Madonna, or a new generation. I am curious as to how folks feel about the music and image of Lady Gaga.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your approach to the assignment as well as I agree with Joelle for the Lady Gaga comment which I actually had commented on myself. It is very interesting to watch the rise of a pop icon to symbolize the gay community and feminist women. Nothing about her songs or her sense of fashion in my opinion actually portray that. Her few political speeches she has made were rash and she tried to hard to approach her audience like a radical when these ideas of tolerance and appreciation of differences should be the norm.
ReplyDeleteI think your thoughts on Madonna are great. If she chose to continue to speak and stand for woman's equality than she would have not made it as a mainstream music artist. Your point of her reinvesting in the patriarchy is so true, because she signed herself up to thrive on consumerism and capitalism, which is controlled and operates under the White supremacist capitalist patriarchy. I hope this will not be the case in the future.
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