tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post7520973608019260686..comments2024-01-06T05:30:53.999-08:00Comments on Women and Media FA2013: Gaze on gaze on gaze - Michael Chu-A-KongUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post-31296102418538094552013-09-27T19:38:32.527-07:002013-09-27T19:38:32.527-07:00As always, I love your writing. You dared to touc...As always, I love your writing. You dared to touch on something women, all of us, need to hear; we actually fall in love with all the attention. Further more, I like your approach on how we can determine how we feel when confronted by the gaze.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14581424712275686424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post-51055608650535521252013-09-27T18:57:01.390-07:002013-09-27T18:57:01.390-07:00I agree with the self awareness of the false ideal...I agree with the self awareness of the false ideals created by the media. However, disagree with many of the comments that you had about the male gaze. Women do not have to wait for a gentleman to come their way, for a prince charming to sweep them off of their feet. The notion of the pure woman waiting for a hero is another archetype created by the very media that you are critiquing. It is okay for women to get a sense of being powerful for being sexy in the male eyes, and to be envied by other women. It is not right, however to call this woman vain, because she enjoys her own image. Just as Berger predicted, you are most likely enjoying the sexually charged advertisements posed by men and blaming the female models for being so provocative and lacking in "morals". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09132568241022541011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post-74822501387684004102013-09-27T17:56:06.455-07:002013-09-27T17:56:06.455-07:00Overall, I enjoyed this piece. I disagree with Reb...Overall, I enjoyed this piece. I disagree with Rebecca, and her opinion that your statement "...Women are so subjectified to the point where they fall in love with the attention..." perpetuates the idea that women are at fault for their exploitation and oppression. If I'm understanding you correctly, you are not blaming or bashing women for the oppression that they face, you are doing just the opposite. You are merely calling to attention how many girls and women are now being brainwashed into thinking that they must be objectified and exploited in order to be "somebody" or valued in society. This I feel you explained in the following sentence " Our society has created a false pedestal on which many women desire to stand upon not concerning themselves with self-respect." <br /><br />Commenting on the self-respect matter, it can seem a bit offensive and pious when used, however, reading this I do not believe that this was your intent. It seems as though you are just suggesting that the media's portrayal of women tends to affect them in such a manner, that they abandon all self worth, and unfortunately disregard all things positive and valuable about themselves in order to "fit in".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16243988975433257788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post-73221098721563964592013-09-27T17:25:27.464-07:002013-09-27T17:25:27.464-07:00"Women are so subjectified to the point where..."Women are so subjectified to the point where they fall in love with the attention. From liquor commercials to car commercials, from raunchy restaurants (ex: Hooters) to lingerie advertisements, women are told what to look like in order to be ‘happy’ and ‘successful’. Our society has created a false pedestal on which many women desire to stand upon not concerning themselves with self-respect. The attention feels too damn good to give up. They objectify themselves because they settle for the male gaze. They aren’t willing to wait for gentlemen to come their way. " <br /><br />This is perpetuating the idea of women being at fault for being oppressed and their bodies exploited (I don't understand how one can "objectify themselves"). People often use "self-respect" as an excuse for something they don't approve of (like another person's behavior, self presentation, etc.). That language is generally coded for women and people of color. The 'gentlemen' thing? First, it's heteronormative. Chivalry is all about the extreme dichotomy of gender roles. I'm not certain how the waiting works out for princesses in high towers but I'm sure it gets really tedious. Women want to live and pursue partners, too. <br /><br />"We know that popular culture is a lie. We know that humans are speeding down the wrong path. They are searching in all dark places in search for the light. This isn’t a sexist issue. This is a humanity case. We are always pointing fingers at the opposite sex not realizing we’re both guilty." <br /><br />These are blanket statements that don't really mean anything? Sure, women can be sexist too, but internalized sexism isn't as harmful as sexism by men. It is literally life-threatening. In response to your last paragraph, I don't believe it's that easy to avoid the male gaze (what I think you're referring to, though it's vague) as simply as ignoring it or thinking happy thoughts. It's an invasion of personal space and safety in daily life and as exhibited in art and media. The male gaze should be challenged in those realms; if you witness a woman being catcalled or harassed, why not confront the offender? If the offender is a man he's mostly likely going to listen to reason if it comes from another man because of the whole "respect" thing and "seeing men as fully realized humans (capable of having autonomy)" thing. This link: http://vimeo.com/62868258 is a funny take on the male gaze, and sort of a reversal in the music video. Rebecca Mitnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07951622178929705922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591651039183833014.post-56059985330737257432013-09-25T19:00:04.699-07:002013-09-25T19:00:04.699-07:00great post. 5th paragraph is so powerful! *goosebu...great post. 5th paragraph is so powerful! *goosebumps*Darya Kulykhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00431142407031697806noreply@blogger.com