Motivation or Manipulation?

       In an article USA Today posted on its website on Thursday, writer Ann Oldenburg commented on the “bad day” actress Lindsay Lohan had this week. Oldenburg reported that Lohan had been charged with four different crimes in two states all in one day. The actress was arrested in New York for assault and then charged by the Santa Monica Police Department for giving false information to a police officer, resisting a police officer, and reckless driving in a case relating to a wreck she had last June. 

       The article was an unusual and amusing entertainment piece, but what was more interesting to me than the story was the way Oldenburg framed the account to make it appeal to the reader. Humorous headlines and plays on words drew me into clicking on the article. Then, graphic pictures of Lohan’s totaled Porsche decorate the page and encourage me to read the story that was periodically interrupted by links to other related articles and entertaining headlines. Finally, by the last paragraph was a picture of Lohan leaving the Los Angeles Women’s Center as a reiteration of the terrible condition this star is supposedly spiraling into. However, is it really that bad? Or, does Oldenburg’s plays on words, judgement statements like “bad,” and images make us as the audience just think it is a tragic situation? I do not know Oldenburg’s motivations, but I know that I was certainly engulfed by her article as I entertainingly read every word. That is the power of the media. It has the power to captivate us, real us in, and manipulate us into feeling and believing whatever it presents to us. We constantly fall victim to it’s influence through articles, commercials and ads, and even now, as you read this blog, and I manipulate you into believing that I’m manipulating you.

Love the Way You Lie

Flashback Friday: My interview with Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Entertainment writer Sandra Sperounes flashed back in her article Friday to an interview with Christina Aguilera in 2000. In the article, Sperounes recounts questioning Aguilera about her “war of words” with rapper Eminem in which she called him out for his lyrics praising domestic violence against women. That was in 2000. The theme continued in 2010 when Eminem released a music video with singer Rihanna for their song, “Love the Way You Lie,” in which there were a number of scenes of domestic violence that were inspired by Eminem’s relationship with his ex-wife. Eminem is just another example of a “gangsta rapper” whose lyrical subject matter integrated itself into his personal life and resulted in not only the degradation of women in his music but the assault of women in his life. 

Eminem with backup dancer

Misogyny in “Gangsta rap” is not a product of the African-Americans singing it, but it is a characteristic of the genre itself as even white rappers such as Eminem portray similar ideas and actions. In our book, Race, Gender, and Stereotypes in the Media, Darren Rhym states, “[Rap] is the way we as blacks perceive ourselves, and the way we are perceived by the world.” However, I would add that it is not solely contained within the African-American community, but it expands into other races as well. As seen in the case with Eminem, domestic violence has been an image so present in rap that it is no longer a mere subject matter but a characteristic of the genre itself, and it integrates itself into the entertainers singing it, no matter their race. I would conclude that misogyny was not a theme brought into the music by a certain race, but it was brought in by a certain social background. Current rappers now believe that they too have to have this “hardcore” background and strive to fit into the genre of music by contributing to this theme and incorporating it into their own lives. As long as the public continues to advocate such practices by purchasing albums, attending concerts, and watching videos that portray misogynistic images and beliefs, then the traditional theme will continue as well, and women will continue to be disrespected and degraded by such music. However, if audiences finally step up and refuse to support artists and labels that promote “gangsta rap,” then the industry will not be able to sustain itself, and a redefining of rap will be required until women are finally respected in the music. 

"Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem feat. Rihanna

music video

No More 'Old White Guys'

GOP glad to have another Bush to attract Hispanics

ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES

George P. Bush has filed papers to run for office in Texas.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/11/11/4404230/gop-glad-to-have-another-bush.html#storylink=cpy

       According to an article in the Star-Telegram, the GOP is excited about Fort Worth Republican, George P. Bush, possibly running for Texas land commissioner. Why are Republicans so interested in this running? Is it his credentials? Is it his previous political experience? Is it even the renowned nature of his name? No, it is his hispanic heritage. This attention comes only days after Governor Mitt Romney lost in the Presidential election last week and received on 27 percent of the Hispanic vote. Such results were a shock to many. The people that nobody expected to turn out to vote did, and they did so in large numbers. Young people, African-Americans, and a large portion of Hispanics showed up to the polls on Tuesday, and they were the deciders of the election. The minorities were the choosers of the next President of the United States. 

       It has been amazing to see the response of the Republican party to the results of the recent 2012 Presidential election. With the surprising turn-out in the polls, the Republican party has had to shift its focus from the “old white guys” to readdressing issues such as immigration reform and promoting candidates of differing backgrounds such as Bush. However, this approach comes with a cost. Candidates could be chosen solely based on their heritage as opposed to their beliefs, moral stances, and qualifications for office. It could boost the Republican party in government positions, but it would ultimately hinder the overall national community. Is there a way to have both candidates that represent the whole of society through their differing social and racial backgrounds and are qualified for the offices they hold? I believe there is, but we must stop focusing on the color of their skin or the neighborhood they grew up in, and instead focus on the morals they keep and the credentials they hold. Once those are present, everything else will fall into place, and the person who will better this country the most will hopefully be in office. 

Innovation or Degradation

Microtargeting: How campaigns know you better than you know yourself

Cleveland Voters Overwhelmed by Ads

(A record number of political ads are blasting the swing state of Ohio. Martin Savidge reports from his hometown.) 

In the midst of the bombardment of political advertisements, such as the ones featured in the video link above, during the final days of the 2012 presidential race, CNN.com highlighted a new area in which voters are being targeted by these campaigns, the web. It’s called microtargeting. This recent technique utilizes browser histories for deeper insight into the preferences and personal interests of the people surfing the internet. These campaigns then use that information to predict how a person may vote and target them based on that prediction at the places they are most likely to visit online. Eitan Hersh, a political science professor who studies the impact of microtargeting at Yale University, explained it this way, “If a campaign knows that you're of this religion and this race and went to college, you're likely to have a different set of values ... the campaign is likely to reach out to you on those attributes." However, in the midst of the innovation of this targeting method, microtargeting has not been as well received by the public as was hoped. According to the article, 86% of Americans said they did not like political advertising tailored to their interests. Herst commented on the statistics concerning this political campaigning method saying, "The downside, of course, is that we might not like being stereotyped."

While it is more common to think of individuals being stereotyped by their race, gender, or physical abilities, it is more shocking to realize that people are now being targeted based on the types of websites they surf online. This phenomenon is not solely contained amongst political campaigns, but it is a method many other companies use as well. Google allows its marketers to target audiences based on demographical information. Facebook lets advertisers seek subsections of their users based on preferences indicated and pages liked. This practice of microtargeting is not just a seasonal use in the midst of the presidential campaign, but it is a method that will continue to grow more commonly practiced and accepted in the online world unless the public stand up against such policies. Over 80% of the Americans surveyed in CNN’s article said they dislike the idea of being targeted based on their interests, and it is time that this majority speaks out before microtargeting becomes a generally accepted practice. Microtargeting stereotypes people and targets individuals in an unfair manner based on generalized assumptions. The world has fought to eliminate stereotypes in many facets of society, and continues to battle those hurtful generalizations. Therefore, we should not, and cannot, allow another method of stereotyping to become accepted in our society. Microtargeting is not an innovation, it is a degradation. 

The Stories of Those Without a Voice

  Curiosity inspires iconic photographer     

       Images sometimes speak louder than words when it comes to the media. Earlier this week, CNN.com featured a slideshow of photographs and a short article on renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry in which writer Elizabeth I. Johnson commented on the inspiration behind McCurry’s iconic photos. His photos, featuring everything from conflicts to portraits, are based in McCurry’s curiosity of people from all across the world. McCurry relies heavily on translators and relationships in order to connect with these people from different cultures and varying customs. The article portrayed his commitment to traveling to places and working with the locals in order to show the true story of what is happening there. McCurry was quoted saying, “As they explore, photographers are responsible for witnessing events and informing the greater public and for telling the stories of those without a voice.” His hope for global change through an informed public motivates McCurry’s dedication to his work and his responsibility to telling the truth through his photography. 

Afghan girl, Peshawar, Pakistan (Steve McCurry/Magnum Photos)

       In a world with increasing access to new technologies and journalistic methods, photojournalism has been under heightened pressure and criticism in regards to the use of photoshop and the editing of photos. With these new technologies, photographers have more and more methods of manipulating photos and videos to present news events in a certain, and sometimes untruthful, light, which contributes to societal stereotypes or popular opinions. These systems have given photographers increased power in the media, but they also have much more responsibility to present the truth. Because writers can provide certain angles in their writing, the public relies heavily on photos to show them the events, in addition to their reading about them, so that they can form their own opinions. We, as the public, must be able to trust photographers to show world news and situations in a truthful light and not force certain opinions or stereotypes on the audience. Therefore, though this article, it was encouraging to see a renowned photojournalist committed to telling the truth and showing the whole scene through photography.

Click here for a slideshow of photographs by Steve McCurry.

The President of Black America? Or the President of the United States of America?

For President, a Complex Calculus of Race and Politics

       The New York Times published an article last week on President Barack Obama’s difficulties as the first black president of the United States. In the article, Mr. Obama is ridiculed by both supporters and opposers of his campaign as both parties criticize either his favoritism toward the African-American population or his disregard of them. Many of the president’s policies have heavily benefited African-Americans, such as education grants to underperforming schools and the health care bill that will help millions of uninsured Americans. However, many blacks accuse Mr. Obama of not being aggressive enough on race and attentive to African-Americans. This was seen at a meeting with the president’s top campaign donors last year to discuss the administration’s achievements with women, Jews, gays and lesbians. However, there was no discussion of African Americans. President Obama’s reply to all of these accusations was simply, “I’m not the president of black America. I’m the president of the United States of America.”

Damon Winter/The New York Times

President Obama in Iowa last week. As the nation’s first black president, he has walked a careful line on the subject of race.

       This article was interesting, because it showed not only non-African-Americans’ stereotypes of the president as a black president, but fellow African-Americans’ stereotypes of Mr. Obama as a black president as well. Both sides stereotyped him as a proponent and benefactor of the African-American community. Therefore, when he began passing domestic policies, he was already wedged in by pre-held beliefs and expectations for his role as the first black president of the United States. It is disappointing to see that even with such progression as a black president, the American society has yet to let go of such debilitating stereotypes as race. These preconceived notions do not allow for progress and change. They only cripple growth even further, and this groundbreaking change with Mr. Obama as the first black president will forever be tainted by the stereotypes that boxed him in even throughout his presidency. This article simply proves that no one escapes the scrutiny and stereotyping of the public eye, not even the president.

Kay Granger - "The Most Feminine Face"

MARY F. CALVERT

Kay Granger's face is called the most feminine in the House.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/10/13/4333692/if-theres-a-republican-look-she.html#storylink=cpy

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram featured a story Saturday titled “If there’s a Republican look, she has it.” According to this article by Maria Recio, Anna M. Tinsley and Scott Nishimura, U.S. female lawmakers with “stereotypical feminine facial features” are more likely to be Republican that Democrat. UCLA researchers scanned photos of various female politicians, compared them to “facial norms,” and then asked undergraduate students to guess the House members’ party affiliation. The study stated, the students’ “‘judgments were 98 percent more likely to be accurate for women with the highest rankings for femininity.’” In the Star-Telegram’s coverage of this UCLA study, the writers were sure to mention that Fort Worth’s own Kay Granger scored the highest on this femininity test. However, why was this local newspaper so enthralled with and proud of having the representative with the most feminine face? How can a group of researchers even determine what exactly is “feminine” and what is not? Furthermore, why is it important whether or not a politician has feminine facial features? It is important because the media makes it important through its coverage and support of studies such as this one.

In the media, female politicians and women in general are often depicted only in terms of their looks as opposed to their actual political contributions. This trend held true in the early 80’s when the first female Vice President nominee, Geraldine Ferraro, was introduced by a news anchor as a “size 6.” Then again in 2008, Sarah Palin was featured more in the news for wearing a pair of red patent leather peep-toe pumps to the Vice Presidential debate than she was for the ideas she portrayed during the discussion. Still today, as seen in the article by the Star-Telegram, women are continually depicted in the media based on their appearance. It is a vicious cycle in which the media only features politicians in terms of their womanly traits, making that the most important aspect in the mind of the public. Therefore, the result is more public focus on these politicians’ physical features as opposed to their political ideals, as seen in the UCLA research study. When a prominent university then continues this interest through a news-worthy research study, the media features once again solely the “feminine” side of women, and the cycle continues. If the public continues to fuel this stereotype by engaging in and contributing to the interest in mere physicality as opposed to morality, then the media will never cease to sexualize women. If we as the audience wish for better and demand better by refusing to support media that stereotypes women, then we may hope to see some change in the future. Until then, however, we will be caught in this cycle of stereotypes and misrepresentations and a world where our government representatives are judged more by the femininity of their facial features than the merit of their political ideals.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/10/13/4333692/if-theres-a-republican-look-she.html#storylink=cpy