Group 4 Update

We have done the first two slides and the charts from the survey completed. Sarah has done all she has to do because she created survey and wrote proposal. We have broken down the PP into segments for each of us.

Introduction slides-Taylor Winkler (2-3)
Statistics and Facts-Kelley Malone/Raven Carr (3-4) good sources and cite them
Video Slides-Shelby Williams (2-3)
Survey Slides-Jamie Howard (3-4)

This is not final this just what Jamie and I have come up with so that we can get this done.

Learning Module 10 LIVE LEARNING MODULE due 4/20 by NOON

Pick one of the following events to attend during the Ladyfest activities and submit a 3 paragraph blog entry with your reflection, grounded in course content.

FRIDAY 4/15 1:00 pm – Screening of PBS’s In The Life episode featuring KIN4LIFE, followed by Q&A with Nor & IQ of KIN4LIFE – ten Hoor 125

SATURDAY 4/16 10:00AM – Old School Consciousness Raising Session led by Melanie DeMaeyer (one of the author's we read this semester) – Chloe’s Cup - 2117 University Blvd

SUNDAY 4/17 Noon-6pm – Attend one of the workshops at Alabama Art Kitchen – 2626 University Blvd

Noon – Ladyfest Zine Workshop – Learn about the history and importance of zines and help make a zine for Ladyfest Deep South 2011.
3:30PM – Vagina Monologue Workshop – If you’ve ever heard of the Vagina Monologues, then this is the arts and crafts version of that. Come create your own!
4:30PM – Herbs Health for Women – This class is a very broad, general, and beginner friendly exploration of plant-based medicines for women. Local, Abby Hall Luca, will cover several herbs and herbal formulas/ preparations for young through post-menopausal women. No knowledge of herbs required!

For more info please visit the following social networking sites for Ladyfest Deep South 2011.

Tumblr
Facebook
Twitter

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT MARCH & RALLY

LEARNING MODULE NINE Due Sat. 4/9 by noon

What would you do to end sexual violence at the University of Alabama? 

Using your articles for this week, write 1-2 paragraphs demonstrating your understanding of the social systems and social conditions that support male sexual violence against women and other men on college campuses. 

 Then in 1-2 paragraphs, build upon the “Feminist Frat Boys” article and reflect upon some possible forms of action/activism that you and your peers (as well as the larger University system) can take to end sexual violence on the UA campus.

University of Alabama Women's Resource Center

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Understanding Sexual Assault & What to do if it Happens to You

Toronto Slutwalk

Since we're discussing violence against women this week, I thought it appropriate to bring up a Toronto police officer's comment at a York University event that women should avoid dressing "like sluts" in order to be victimized. In response, Slutwalk Toronto was organized as "a march designed to draw attention to the way in which the term 'slut' is used to stigmatize and invalidate women." There's some great pictures at the link. This, to me, is the most powerful:

group 3

This was posted at 11:30 am yesterday in the section group blog:

Group Media Project
Section 1: Group 3

Title of Project: Body Image

Date of Presentation: Monday, April 25, 2011

Project Conception:
- The main thing that we want to explore when doing this topic is to aim at those who are about the same age as we are. We are going to focus on college students around campus, both boy and girl.
- We are going to explore the problems that these college students tend to go through and get their true outlook on what they perceive the ‘perfect body’ to be.

Questions when Interviewing:
- What do you think the perfect body image is?
- Give/Offer statistics on how the average woman is categorized compared to how those on the front page of magazines.
- Show the person being interviewed a picture of an ad and ask them their first impression of that picture and then ask them how it should be portrayed.

Literature Review:
- In developing our project we are going to be referring back to the ad and discussion form class on the topic ‘Killing us Softly’.

Project Method:
- Our group is going to explore college age students and get true opinions on how people see others in this day in time.
- We are also going to explore and use magazine ads as well as how women are used in music videos.
- We are also going to be using the student media center and are planning on using a video camera and microphone and implement these interviews into our powerpoint slide show which will be shown during our presentation.

Project Contribution:
- We hope to contribute in our classmates understanding of the project by addressing the reality of how body image is clearly being seen through the eyes of college students today.
Individual Group Member Tasks:
- Everyone decided that each group member will be responsible in asking the same questions to 2 different people (male/female).
- We divided up what groups of people that we are going to be interviewing and they are: 2 different religious students, 2 African American males, 2 African American females, 2 White males, 2 White females.
- Everyone has the responsibility of being the videographer and interviewing their specific group.
- Emilie and Emily are finding pictures to use in this project to use during the interviews. Morgan is putting together the written proposal with the help of all group members.
- Also everyone is responsible to discuss their interviews to the class as well as making their slide for the powerpoint.
Agreed Upon Schedule of Completion:
- Sunday, April 3 = proposal
- April 4th – 9th = gather questions/ ads
- April 11th – 16th = video taping
- April 17th – 20th = edit video
- April 20th = final touch-ups/ finish project
- April 25th = give in-class oral presentation

Section 1, Group 2 Project Proposal

Section 1, Group 2 is doing a project titled "Healing the Wounded Hearts" and will be presenting on Wednesday, April 20th. We will be participating in promoting the Healing the Wouned Hearts Exhibit which is being displayed in the month of April beginning Monday, April 4th. This exhibit put on by the Women's Resource Center, is a display of decorated wooden hearts created by victims of sexual assault and abuse as a way of therapy. These crosses allow the victims to express themselves and promote strength and healing. It will be located in the Crossroads Community Lounge Ferguson Student Center and begins at 4:00PM throughout the month. Our project will deal with issues of sexual abuse and its victims. We plan to attend the exhibit ourselves, interview those who attend willing to share their reaction and thoughts about the exhibit (recorded on video from a borrowed video camera), and survey others at the exhibit and around campus about the issue of sexual abuse. We will ask questions about their thoughts on the topic, how they are affected or not affected, whethere they believe more awareness should be raised, and what we can do around campus to help with the issue. We will present our information gathere through a power point including factual information (researched on the internet), recorded vieos of students' thoughts, and results concluded from the surveys about the topic. We hope to inform our classmates about the problem of sexual harassment and abuse that is often not talked about. There are people in our area, even on our campus, who have been victims to this issue, and we need to become more aware and help with its prevention as much as possible. By openly discussing ther problem, we may be able to educate people on how to be safe and protected. Also, we desire to help others become more considerate and compassionate towards those who are victims and hopefully create more open environments where these can feel safe and not threatened or judged. Although sexual abuse affects both females and males, women and girls are the ones mostly affected. Therefore, the texts used focus mainly on women's perspectives on this issue. Abuse starts with whatever causes the thought to be placed in the mind of the one giving the abuse. In this example, it would be males. In Sharpley-Whiting's "I See the Same Ho: Video Vixens, Beauty Culture, and Diasporic Sex Tourism", we see how media has turned many women into objects, usually for men's pleasure. Because of images and concepts like these, mwn take these thoughts and can twist them into justifying taking advantage of women without the woman's consent-sexual abuse. Also in the piece "Fraternities and Rape on Campus" by Patricia y Martin and Robert Hummer, sexual abuse is discussed as a problem on many college campuses. This especially relates to our project by talking about it as an issue on campuses like ours nationwide. Our schedule of completion begins with attending the exhibit and discussing our thoughts on the best way to talk to people at the exhibit on Monday, April 4th. Throughout this same week and the following week (of the 11th), we will interview and survey people about the topic at the exhibit as well as around the campus/community. The week of the 11th, we will create the power point, including factual information, video interviews, and results from the surveys. By the presentation week of the 18th, we will have our presentation completed. Task assignments have been divided, even though a lot of our prohect will be done together through mutual effort. Alysia Nailor will be renting and taking care of the camera equipment for us. Robyn Jones will be writing and submitting the Project Proposal. Katherine Nowell will be helping create and administer the surveys. Monty Millard will be helping with the surveys and interviews, researching information on our topic, and creating the power point.

Group 1 Project Proposal

Invisible Genders, presenting 4/18/2011

Group 1, Section 1

Kaylyn Johnson

Will Deshazo

Sierra Terrell

Paige Blonder

Virginia Jackson

Rachel Licata

Project Conception

· We hope to explore the issues of transmisogyny and transphobia and place them in the larger context of sexism. We also hope to explore how they reinforce, and are reinforced by, other oppressions.

· Questions we will be asking of participants:

o Before

§ What comes to mind when you hear the words “transmisogyny” and “transphobia”?

§ What is your definition of “oppression”?

§ Do you consider yourself oppressed? If so, why?

§ Do you feel like oppressions can combine with each other to be a stronger force?

§ Have you ever come into contact with a transsexual? In what context? How did it make you feel?

o After

§ We will be asking the same first two questions again.

§ If opportunities were made clear, would you be willing to be an activist dealing with transmisogny and transphobia?

§ If you come into contact with a transsexual now, how do you think you would feel? Have your feelings changed? Why, or why not?

o Video Interviews

§ We will be asking many of the same questions, depending on when we will be interviewing the participant. We will also give them time to talk about any other ideas relating to these issues that might not have been specifically addressed.

o Discussion Questions

§ Do you feel like transmisogyny and transphobia come about because of our society’s insistence on a gender binary?

§ Does the gender binary inherently favor one set of gendered characteristics?

§ Can you think of some ways in which a cis-gendered person has privilege because of this status? (Especially bring up healthcare and class issues.)

§ MtF transpeople are often more objectified, perhaps because their transition is more involved and thus they may be more easily recognizable as trans, at least for a period of time. Why do you think this is? Do you think it is because they are giving up the rights that society has given them based on their masculinity? How does this relate to sexism and gender roles?

§ Do you think that the T is silent in the LGBTQ community? Why might this be? Do you think this is a reflection of society at large, ie of other issues? How?

Literature Review

· Marilyn Frye’s “Oppression”

· Susan Stryker’s “Transgender Feminism: Queering the Woman Question”

· Julia Serano’s Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Feminity

· Asher Bauer’s “A Day in the Life of an Angry Transsexual”

o http://tranarchism.com/2011/03/04/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-angry-transsexual/

Project Method

· We will be hosting a short, informative lecture to be followed by a roundtable discussion.

o Wednesday, April 6, 7 pm in the Ferguson Center Gameroom

· We will be distributing before and after surveys to gauge how education and understanding of others’ viewpoints leads to change in opinion and/or desire for activism.

· We will also have optional video interviews to gain a more complete perspective than surveys alone allow.

· Our in-class presentation will be part video, part presentation.

Project Contribution

· We hope to inform society about the issue in order to aid them in forming non-biased opinions.

· We hope to help our classmates to realize that education really is a way to fight against oppression.

· We hope to help both society as a whole and our classmates to see that transmisogyny is rooted in sexism and the “cultural devaluation of the feminine.”

Individual Group Member Tasks

· Research and Compilation – Paige

o research of statistics and/or images to be brought up in discussion/presentation

o compilation of survey data

· Lecture for Discussion - Kaylyn

· Creation and Printing of Handouts

o created jointly at our third and/or fourth group meetings

o edited and printed - Will

· Creation and Printing of Surveys

o created jointly at our second group meeting

o edited and printed - Will

· Video Interviewing – Will and Rachel

· Video Editing – Virginia and Sierra

· Main Discussion Moderator - Kaylyn

· Speeches for In-Class Presentation

o Introduction/Informative

§ Introduction - Will

§ Informative - Kaylyn

o Conclusion/What We Learned - Rachel

Schedule of Completion

· Proposal will be posted by April 1.

o Created jointly at second group meeting (March 30).

· We will be meeting at 12:30 PM April 4.

o Goals for this meeting include:

§ discussion of research

§ ensuring group members are informed about the issues as well as appropriate and respectful discussion techniques

· We will be meeting at 9:00 PM April 5.

o Goals for this meeting include:

§ finalization of handouts

§ finalization of surveys

§ discussion of video interview details

§ ensuring group members are well-prepared to discuss the issues but also realize that participant discussion is more important than our own

· We will be hosting our event at 7:00 PM April 6.

o We will:

§ gather our survey data

§ have our video interviews

§ collect meaningful quotes from the discussion that showcase our points

· We will be meeting once early in the week of April 11.

o We will:

§ discuss how the event went and what we learned

§ get updates on how the video editing and survey compilations are going

§ discuss things that we feel should be included in our final presentation

· We will also be meeting once later in that week (or that weekend).

o We will:

§ finalize our list of topics for the presentation

§ view the video

§ incorporate the tables/graphs of survey data into our Powerpoints that will be used in the final presentation

Learning Module Eight DUE SATURDAY 4/2 BY NOON

 Look up some of the videos discussed in this week’s readings.  In two paragraphs, discuss what it means to "flip the scripts" of hetero-masculine sexual dominance. How does this also relate to re-appropriation and counter-appropriation?  Who has the power to set the patterns for dominant forms of representation in the music industry and Why? (use “intersectionality” in your analysis)

Next find a couple of videos that demonstrate what you would consider to be empowering to the women (and men) involved in them (as well as those viewing them), especially in relation to what you observed and learned from the film Dreamworlds 3).  Provide the name of the videos and in 2 paragraphs explain how female artists are using their messages, language, bodies, etc. toward greater gender empowerment?

And Baby makes Three: Karla and Stacy's Adoption Journey

Hey Secton 1 - Group 4
Youtube video idea....let me know what yall think!

EXTRA CREDIT LEARNING MODULE Due Sat 3/26 by noon

In 2-3 paragraphs, please reflect upon the following article and place it in conversation with this week’s readings on globalization and women’s labor.  What is the importance of labor unions here and abroad?  Why are they particularly important for women laborers?  How do union concerns here in the United States relate to union concerns in the “developing world”? (hint: consider free trade agreements).  Can you imagine unions being a point of transnational solidarity for workers?  Why?

GROUP 4 PROJECT BRAINSTORM IDEAS!

1. Sarah Tate
2. Jamie Howard
3. Kelly Malone
4. Shelby Williams
5. Raven Carr
6. Taylor Winkler

GROUP 3 PROJECT BRAINSTORM IDEAS!

1. Emily Blackwood
2. Morgan Green
3. Elizabeth Stickney
4. Maggie McBride
5. Emilie Paterson
6. Brandon Davis

GROUP 2 PROJECT BRAINSTORM IDEAS!

1. Katherine Nowell
2. Carolyn Churchill
3. Robyn Jones
4. Alysia Nailor
5. Nichols Millard

GROUP 1 PROJECT BRAINSTORM IDEAS!

1. Kaylyn Johnson
2. Will Deshazo
3. Sierra Terrell
4. Paige Blonder
5. Virginia Jackson
6. Rachel Licata

Example of a Heterosexist Microaggression

This is from a newspaper magazine. You can read part of the article here.

Miscarriage

This has a lot to do with last weeks topic and I read this and became furious. Just something really interesting to read. I'm sure you can form your own opinions.

Elton John adopting a baby & talking about anti-gay rhetoric

Here's a couple of thing about the famous gay British singer, Elton John, that I thought was interesting. I'm a big fan of Elton John myself and I thought these articles about him were both kinda interesting and that the articles relate to some of the stuff we talked about in class. One article is about how fed up Elton John is with all the anti-gay rhetoric and the other is about him and his partner adopting a baby boy recently. These articles do some how relate to how gays & lesbians having a hard time having kids and having to put up with people like the church who are saying hateful speech about them.
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=7390&MediaType=1&Category=22
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=7380&MediaType=1&Category=22

LEARNING MODULE SEVEN

Read the Heterosexual Questionnaire and take the time to answer the questions for yourself.  Now read the following prompt and critically reflect upon the following questions. *Please note that if you do not identify as straight, feel free to adjust this prompt in a way you see fit.  Either examine and explain how you would feel as a part of the dominant privileged group, what you think would be different, or explain how things are for you now not fitting into the dominant category.  If you identify as bi or fluid in some way, feel free to discuss this as not having a category and how in either situation bisexuality/fluid sexuality gets left out.

This morning when you awoke from a night’s sleep, you became aware that society was no longer as you remembered it. In fact, it had universally made a 180-degree turn in sexual orientation and the world you remember as being a comfortable environment for heterosexuals like yourself no longer accepts people like you. You don’t want to return to isolation, so you must deal with the situation, and do it right now. But now you don’t fit in. Homo-erotic love is the required standard. Heterosexuals are moral outcasts. They are widely thought to molest children, and the marriage of your partner that you have looked forward to for several years will not be legally recognized. Procreation takes place in test tubes and hired wombs according to accepted procedures, and couples like you and your partner are considered hazardous to population growth. You turn on the TV news, only to see a demonstration on the courthouse steps by anti-heterosexual activists shouting ‘heterosexuality is sin’ and ‘ban the straights.’ A sense of doom envelops you as the truth sinks in. You have a cup of coffee and sit down to think about how you will deal with the situation.” What do you think? How will your life change? What will happen to your relationship with your family and friends, now all gay? Will you allow others to know that you are straight and risk the consequences? What might they be? How do you decide to deal with the situation? Why?

In 2-3 paragraphs, write some key insights drawn from BOTH of these exercises, and how it felt to answer the questions.  Use course readings to discuss ways to navigate through this oppressive situation and how you see the world changing if homophobia was abolished.

That's racism.

I feel like this poster kind of summarizes what we said about the original billboard in class and on the Wallwisher. The photo was taken at a recent Walk for Choice.

It's Pay Equity Awareness Week!

Pay Equity Awareness Week
February 28 - March 4

$tart $mart Pay Negotiation Workshop
Mar. 3, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ferguson 309
This seminar is open to Juniors, Seniors and Grad Students.

In The Red - Wear Red Day
Mar. 2
Wear red to show your support for equal pay among races and genders. Send your In The Red pictures to wrc@ua.edu.

Sponsored by:
The Women’s Resource Center
Career Center
National Pan-Hellenic Council

For more information,
contact Maria at mvpfisher@sa.ua.edu
or call the WRC at 348-5040.

LEARNING MODULE FIVE (REDO)

Due Wednesday 3/2 no later than Noon

Imagine you are participating in a conversation with the Combahee River Collective and, in a consciousness-raising group, you read the following article: Recy Taylor: A Symbol of Jim Crow's Forgotten Horror.

Using the Combahee River Collective Statement and what you have learned in the past weeks, discuss a black feminist perspective to this issue (In 2-3 paragraphs).   How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political”, and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!

LEARNING MODULE SIX

Due Saturday (2/26) by noon

After reading the essay, “And So I Choose,” by Allison Crews place her discussion of “rights” in conversation with the article you read for class this week, “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life?”  First (2 paragraphs), in your own words, please describe why each of these terms are in fact problematic or limiting to our larger discussion of reproductive rights.  Why were each limiting in Crew’s reflection?  What does a “reproductive justice” paradigm offer instead?  

Second (1-2 paragraphs) reflect on the recent arguments surrounding legislation addressed to congress (see links below).  What do you think is at stake in politicizing women’s bodies and reproduction?  What would a reproductive justice argument look like in response to this legislation.

 

Planned Parenthood Funding Blocked In House Vote

Center for Reproductive Rights Testimony

A chance to better understand some interlocking oppressions.

This Friday, at 6 pm, in Ferg 312, there will be a discussion group hosted by Spectrum (the student LGBTQ and Allies organization). This group is a discussion group for queer people of color AND their allies, so you don't need to be queer or of color to participate; you just need to be willing to listen and be respectful. The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the identities, experiences, and communities of queer people of color on our campus. This could be a really great opportunity to further your understanding of how oppressions reinforce each other, and I hope to see you there.

LEARNING MODULE FIVE

Imagine bell hooks joins the Combahee River Collective and in a consciousness-raising group reads her article “Straightening Our Hair,” and shows the film clip “A Girl Like Me.”

Based upon your readings for this week, discuss a black feminist perspective to this topic.  How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political,” and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!

LEARNING MODULE FOUR

• Choose three examples from either the White Privilege Checklist, the Male Privilege Checklist, and the Black Male Privilege Checklist, or the Heterosexual Checklist (Katz) that made you think about your own privilege in a new way and tell us why (1 paragraph)
  

• Now make your own checklist (5 items) and explain why these are privileges using the week’s readings and lecture.  Explain key facets of the systems of oppression (gender, racial, heterosexist) that exist to reinforce these privileges in your life (2 paragraphs).
  
  
  
• Go to our section’s wallwisher link for “Gender Microaggressions” (also on E-learning).  Post an example of a gender microaggression.  Then post the message that this microaggression sends (this is a required posting and will count toward full credit for this learning module!)

Foursome?

Even though the woman is not on bottom being overpowered or controlled by a man, she is still seen as an "oject" rather than a person. Why is there 1 girl and 3 guys? This ad is selling sex, the people just so happen to be wearing Calvin Klein.

Save the Whales

As if women are not pressured enough to be skinny...now we have to worry about being called a whale. I'm not sure if this is to pursuade larger women to go vegan. I would think it would make them go anorexic. Ridiculous

"women" apparel...

Really? The last time I checked, women's apparel did not consist of a teenager wearing panties and gym socks with her legs spread open. This all relates to the "innocent but experienced" idea.

This first image is the cover of fitness magazine's January 2011 issue. The very first thing you see ABOVE the word fitness is "Special Total-Body Makeover Issue" and in small letters under the word fitness is "Mind, Bindy, & Spirit". This is suppose to be a magazine promoting self-love, total fitness/well-being for your mind, body, AND spirit when the only targeted stories you see is "Drop 2 Sizes in just 4 wks." or "Instant Pretty".

Although these may tackle some fitness issues with your body, what about the mind and spirit? They're included, but in a way that they are being attacked.

ex. "Comfort Food Without the Calories"

Feeling down or depressed? Eat all the comfort food you want without getting fat, but you ARE fat. So....

Do these 5 "quickie"moves to get what we think are sexy legs and tighten your big butt.

Oh, but don't forget to love yourself the way you are while making "simple changes to stay motivated (because you're already lazy, promote your health, and love your life.

This is an ad for Mr. Leggs pants. It says "even though she was a tiger lady (whore) when she saw his Mr. Leggs she was 'floored'". It speaks of objectifying women and physical abuse against them (including rape). He has his foot on her head (intelligence and strength) and she is his rug to walk all over and do whatever else. This speaks volumes to the ignorant idea that men are smarter than women and women are ignorant in a are in a lower class than men. That women are wild animals that men have to take hold of and train so that they won't roam free. Also, because people can kill animals and make them into rugs and such, it's okay to harm women...which is nothing but ignorance.

I love this ad and the commercials. Even though it's a bunch of girls running through the street and may give off the impression of being wild, it speaks of freedom. With real life girls who are growing up in today's society proclaiming how the only person they want to be when they grow u[ is them. They are different, they are strong, they are smart, and they are learning about their freedom and rights...their independence. It also speaks to equality how they have various races present in the crowd of girls. They can be who they want to be and not what society says they have to be!!!

when is comes to advertisements:

I think this ad can go both ways. I don't think this ad exploits women as much as it does in other ads that I've seen or other ads that are posted on this blog but I do think it is a typical one. The first thin I noticed was that it was a celebrity. I think that advertisements that really want to make an impact on the public choose celebrities to star in them. such as the proactive ads with Katy Perry and Vanessa Hudgens. Also commercials with the kardashian sisters (even if it's their own product) my point is is that beauty sells. Especially famous beauty sells. The other thing that I noticed is that the celebrity, Kimora Simmons, is naked. She is covering her breasts and has some jewelry on (the product being advertised) but she's still naked. The other thing that goes along with posing naked and being a celebrity is that you have to have a sexy body. Even if the advertisement wasn't a celebrity, I'm pretty sure that the person posing would be a naked girl with a sexy body.

I know a lot of ads that exploit women typically have women in them, but I think this ad was an exception. I thin this type of ad is typical because it shows an obviously dominant male who looks strong and courageous on a horse. The man is also seems like he is trying to fight away a fire breathing dragon which depicts bravery, which isn't a bad quality but when it comes to the way this ad is depicted I see it differently. When I first saw this ad it just seems like it was your typical prince on a horse which usually goes a long with a damsil in distress. The fact that it seems so typical that the male is the strong one and the women is the the one that is in trouble and needs help can be a little conflicting. Now a days women are trying to make a name for themselves saying that they are also strong, brave, courageous and all of the above. I just found this a typical ad and that really doesn't say a lot about how women can be in the same position.

I like this ad a lot. Although it is basically saying the woman in the ad is fearless after using the deodorant I think there are a lot of good factors in the ad. I like the fact how the woman is smiling and seems to be care free. it also shows her beautiful body in a conservative way. It shows her back not her breasts and her stomach in a sexy pose. This ad is very elegant. I think this ad is a very positive one and it's not your typical myth ad.

I think that more advertisements should be like the one above and empower women. The ad is showing how strong a women can be. I think that most ads degrade women and show male dominance as well as show off women's bodies in a promiscuous way. I think if more ads showed the beauty and strength of a women instead of how they can be dominated it would make a big difference. 

                

This first picture depicts some of the issues we went over in class. Many advertisements use thin, beautiful women for their advertisements to gain the attention of men and envious reactions from women. In this photo, L.E.I is selling their jean shorts. The model is dressed like a young girl with a lollypop, giving her the look of “sexual innocence” which we covered in class just does not make sense. There’s no way someone can be sexually virginal. But this is used especially for male audiences who find this young, vulnerable look in women arousing.

                The second photo really needs no description. It is extremely explicit. The shoe advertisement, clearly to attract male audiences, shows a naked woman, showing nearly everything she’s got. The only thing in the way of the most provocative spot is, of course, the product being sold. The model is thin and toned, yet again telling female audiences that this is the only way you can be in order to be found attractive. Companies would not dare use anyone heavier, or with smaller breasts.

                In this last photo is, what I think, is a real woman. I’ve seen the Playtex commercials that they show lately, and I really like them. They show real women looking for supportive bras. But they show none of those bone thin girls, and they don’t depict vulnerability, innocence, sexuality. They are just real, strong, confident women who have found something that works for them, and it makes them feel beautiful for who they are. 

My images aren't really in order, but I want to start with the bottom photo first. Clearly this is an older ad but I feel like the implications are still in this ad that would be in any sexist ad these day. The woman is lying naked on the floor near what I assume is her husband's shoe and the caption "Keep her where she belongs..." pretty much says exactly what many ads these days are saying. That women should be lower than men and that men have the power to keep their women below them at all times. This ad isn't as racy as the ads we see today, but the message was still there even then

The next photo I want to discuss is the second one. I feel like the Victoria Secret ads are the some of the main reasons why young women have a so many body image issues because these ads are literally everywhere and every single one of them gives the implication that these women are "What is Sexy". Like we talked about in class, all of these women hold such a small percentage in our population of women who's bodies actually look this way, and some of these women have more than likely had some form of plastic surgery. But young women by into this fantasy because they see how men react to the way these models look. I was working out this year while the Victoria Secret fashion show was on and I can't tell you how many guys I saw straining their necks to look at the models as they were working out. It was sickening and a little hilarious at the same time. But my point is that these type of ads are so unrealistic but its hard not to strive to look like these girls when they are continually being thrown in our faces all the time.

The first ad is my favorite. I love the new Tampax commercials that have started coming out this year. Tampax takes something that the society thinks make a women negatively different than men and makes a joke about it. The reason I like this ad specifically is because they use a strong public figure like Serena Williams to advertise it. She isn't the most beautiful or the skinniest, but she is a great women athelete that many girls look up to, and this ad is showing girls that we can tackle something, even as small as our period, and we can be proud of it. Cheesy, I know, but thats what I took away from this ad and I think there should be way more of these out there.

Does Sex Really Sell?

This is an ad for Dove. This ad shows women of different races, and body size. Showing these different women gives a positive image because it shows these different women and they seem to be happy with the skin they are in. Like embrace your self and love your body no matter if you're skiny or if you're cruvy. If i was to create an advertisement I would make on like this to let other women know to love themselves. Thats is okay to have a little meat on your bone. That you don't have to be a size zero to be happy. I would portray a unity of women coming together to promote beauty just like this ad for dove. I would market my ad in magazines that young girls read so they will see something positive instead of "how to lose weight to make a guy fall for you" or some other crazy ads and articles magazines used to tell young girls they have to be smaller to be happy,

This ad is for a the nightclub Prive in Las Vegas. This ad shows a big group of young women on the floor which looks like they are in a bathroom. All the women on the floor look like they can be in college and had a wild time in Vegas. They are all touching or holding each other in a sexual. way. The as promotes that women do not have any self control if they drink. That you could have your way withwomen if you get them drunk. The girl on the bottom right seems to be pasted out and anything could happen to her. Someone could take advantage of her . All the young women in this ad look like they are ready to have sex. What happend in Vegas does it really stays inVegas.

This is an ad is for Equinox Gym. It shows different marks all over their bodies as if they are getting cosmetic surgery. Which sends the message that if you cannot lose the weight in the gym then cosmetic surgery is something you should think about. The ad shows a really hot guy hovering over this one particular woman, he is feeding her grapes which tell the person who looks at this ad that if you lose weigth or get some kind of cosmeric surgery, than you will one day have a really hot guy feeding you grapes. This supposed to make you feel like this is the kind of life you will have after you lose the weight. This ad also shows male dominance, the way the woman is position she is arced back some and looks forced to eat the grapes. The man is looking down upon this woman like he has the power to do so. The Gyms Motto in this ad is "Its not fitness, Its Life." These women are using their sex appeal to sell the gym and to make other women believe that they can be just like them and that their lives will be much happier after they lost the weight.

In the advertisement industry they always say that sex sell. In reality it really does because if the people in the ads are sexy that makes people feel as if they can be just like those people in the ads then they can have the sameyhing the people are trying to sell. People will buy anything if the think it will make their life better or happier.

Ads of dominance

The first image of Dolce&Gabanna shows male dominance over the woman. One man is leaning over the woman, and the other is standing boldly in the background. They both have very serious and dominating postures and expressions on their faces. The woman is lying helplessly on the ground with a vulnerable and weak expression. This ad goes along with the beautymyth that men dominate and control women. Women learn that we are under men's control because of ads like this that influence our mindsets.

The second ad advertising coffee potrays a man physically abusing a woman. The woman is lying across his lap, as if she were a child, with her legs kicking and her hand grabbing the man. She has a frightened expression, and it can be assumed she is screaming. He has his hand up as if he is about to hit her. The caption suggests that if she does buy him the right kind of coffee, she is to be punished, and the picture shows physical abuse. This ad supports the myth of men abusing women just because they think they are above women, and that women exist to please men.

In both of these ads, beauty myths are supported. Women are shown as weak, vulnerable, and subject to a mam's authority, while men are shown as clearly dominant and controlling over women. By looking at these ads, men learn that they are over women and can treat them howevwer they choose, and women learn to be ridiculously submissive under men and keeping men pleased. No wonder some men act the way they do, and women just take it.

This ad featuring the Beckhams actually defies the beauty myth that men are dominant over women. David is the one lying flat, on a rope, in a more vulnerable position, while Victoria is lying over him. She has her hand on his chest as if she is holding him down. While David's expression is still serious, Victoria's expression is intense and controlling. Although many of their other ad pictures show David in the dominating position, this one is the opposite. She is shown to be over David, dominating the role of the authority in this picture.

If I were making an ad featuring a male and female, I would have neither the male nor female underneath the other. They would be equal in position, whether sitting, laying, or standing. I would make the man look masculine, but not controlling, and the female would look pleasant and naturally beautiful, but not timid or vulnerable. With this kind of portayal, neither would look to be dominating the other.