Persuasions: Identities, Stereotypes, & Fights

What would our world be like if everyone was comfortable in their own skin? If relationships were based purely on personality as opposed to materialism and physical beauty? These questions are only a few that Americans face every day. Little girls are tormented from the moment they are introduced to their first Barbie; the epitome of perfection. Standards of beauty are created in their minds that haunt them for the rest of their lives.

We chose a ‘Barbie Basics’ advertisement as our media artifact; a new line of Barbie’s that just came out. Not only are they more beautiful than ever but they are also clad in the most elegant of little black dresses with matching heels. Each Barbie has different facial characteristics and contrasting skin colors which is an improvement from the original blonde Barbie. Nonetheless, they are all emaciatingly skinny and far from proportionate. Some things never change.

Our digital essay will consist of a still motion film set to the music “Dreamers” by Them Terribles; a perfectly haunting yet upbeat tune. In this film, there will be two females and two males. One of the girl’s is comfortable in her skin whereas the other is obsessed with her surface appearance, constantly reapplying pounds of makeup and checking herself in the mirror several times an hour. This girl ends up alone, never measuring up to the impossible standards of the boy who is looking for perfection as well. He ends up alone too. The other girl, who is less concerned with her surface, finds love with the male counterpart who is also not out for perfection. This goes to show that the false idea of perfection influenced by the media, specifically Barbie products, will only lead to disappointment.

My paper will take a slightly different turn than that of my group mates. I plan to write specifically about the state of uncertainty in people characterized by opposite extremes using quotes and ideas from “Reading Lolita in Tehran” by Azar Nafisi as back up.  Women are expected to be physically attractive; thin and flawless. Furthermore, they are encouraged to show off these physical traits if they are lucky enough to be in this category. You are then left with a girl who is struggling to maintain this body image and appear happy when she is really a complete mess on the inside.

For those of you that don’t know, I have a big interest in photography. I have the Nikon D3000 and just got my hands on a miniature polaroid camera. I’ve been planning a series for a while and I finally have the resources I need to make it complete. I’m calling it, “The Gender Division.” In these photos, I will be using polaroids as an artifact to depict what the male is thinking versus what the female is thinking in the same situation. I tried to start today but I don’t think I’ll be the female model. My boyfriend wasn’t capturing me the way I wanted and it ended in unpleasant banter. I ended up putting the attempts I took today together to make a cover which I will attach. It’s a scenario where the boy is thinking lustfully versus the girl who is thinking about love. Well, I’m going to figure this out as I go and hopefully not waste too many polaroids along the way!

Click the picture to access my flickr.

Dear world, I’d like to call for an end to the phrase “real women have curves.”

Guess what? All women are real women. All women have the right to feel beautiful. Using the word “real” to describe an average-sized or larger woman is just as denigrating as saying that thinness is the only route to beauty. It’s not just untrue, it’s buying into this whole idea that as women, we have to be pitted against each other — why does one group have to become the scapegoat, the enemy, the Other?

You are who you are, whether you’re a Gabourey or a Carey, a ScarJo or a Keira, a Casey Wilson or a Kristen Wiig. Celebrate your beauty, live a healthy life. But don’t let your happiness come at the expense of others’.

We are all real.

I came across this entry on Tumblr so I take no credit for that ^; someone I follow reblogged another person and so forth and it ended up on my dashboard.

Anyway, I always hated that saying, that real women have curves. Women come in all shapes and sizes and who is to say that only one type of women is the “real” one? This only plays into the minds of young girls and even older women who don’t think they are beautiful because the media is always putting out an image of who we should all aim to be.

My digital essay will most likely revolve around body image because it’s something I have recently been learning to overcome and I think all girls of all shapes, sizes, colors, etc, should always feel beautiful.

This is my first blog because I missed the other ones. I just woke up like 15 minutes ago and remembered to do this, since the baruch sites were/are still down and I thought this was too. It took me like 10 minutes of just looking around the site to find out even how to post. I hope this doesn’t go in the wrong section or something. I wonder if this is late… And I don’t even know what to write now, I’m just doing whatever. Is anyone going to read this? I’m gonna be late for class. And my mouth hurts. I’m so tired today, I wish i had no class I just want to sleep in today. I wonder if this is enough for the blog. Anywayyy, laterrrrs, I’ll probably be late to class a bit.

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/street-artist-banksy-creates-dark-opening-for-the-simpsons–1629

I was surfing the web and I was surprised to find a article about the the Simpson’s on yahoo. It was about one of the recent Simpson’s episodes openings which depicted the success of the series as being built on sweatshop work where unicorn horns and served dolphin heads somehow had an appearance. (I’m not joking) Apparently the controversy behind it was whether we as consumers indirectly encourage unmoral business practices. To be honest, I didn’t really think this opening was really all that offensive or thought provoking. What do you think?

Lately I’ve been having the urge to film something, a short film or maybe even a series of short films. I guess its a step up from photography and editing pictures with the usual Photoshop and start moving on to things like Final Cut Pro on my mac. Theres nothing easier than to just show someone what you mean than telling them yourself because you get to react the moment.
There’s a problem though, what  do I film? I’ve heard people say they get their ideas from just talking with friends, wishful thinking, and dreams but if everyone was to do that, what ideas are left? I don’t want to film what been done already :\

Recently this month I’ve visited a few colleges on the weekends.  Dorm life is the right life.  It does depend on the school you go to, because your not going to want to dorm for Baruch since it’s a commuter school, kind of pointless.  But for schools like Stony brook and Binghamton dorming is a must.  Their is a lot of freedom when you dorm.  No one bothering you and you meet new people.  Also, you can randomly go out to buy snickers bar ice cream snacks or play basketball at anytime of the night.  Some are afraid to dorm and meet new people because it might seem intimidating, but the people who are freshman or transfers feel the same way.    Dorming is for everyone who want to experience new things.  If your the type of person who wants to go to school, study a lot in the library, and run back home that’s fine.  College from my  “sojourn” at the colleges I’ve been to so far will be the best 4 to 6 years of your life.

one conversation can change e v e r y t h i n g.

this is a free choice blog, so i just wanted to let everyone know it’s 8:52 in the morning. i’m going to church in a few minutes 🙂 – this isn’t about what religion i follow, but about my relationship w| God. but here goes my blog:

I’m certain that we’ve all experienced that “this is too good to be true” feeling. But right before that there’s a moment where that “goodness” is our reality. We believe that it’s okay for so many things to go right at once – for us to be happy. I want to stay stuck in one of those moments, and make it last forever.

I think of cost in terms of hours.

Before I make a purchase, I consider many things; how often I will use it, if it is something I can save throughout the years, if it will contribute to my productiveness and lastly and almost most importantly, how many hours it took for me to make the money that I will be spending.

I consider myself a hard-working young adult. I contribute to society by selling products (specifically shoes), thus stimulating the economy. I feel good about my position. I feel great about my pay-checks. I feel even better about my valuables; the things I bought using this hard-earned money.

This weekend, I must’ve spent a grand. I can honestly say that I do not have a shopping problem, I actually detest shopping. But I must say I had the most successful shopping spree ever. I got a majority of my winter clothes that I can wear to work and school, and most excitingly, AN ELECTRONIC DRUM SET. I’ve been wanting one for years and so I went to Sam Ash and just bought one. I don’t feel bad about spending all my money, I feel like it’s hard-earned money, well-spent.

The box reads: “Stop Dreaming, Start Drumming.” That’s exactly what I plan to do!

(Btw, my radio show is every Wednesday from 4-5 at http://ustream.tv/channel/the-naked-city. TUNE IN!)