Shimmy Shimmy...

For this weeks blog post I have chosen to discuss Jason Derulos video "Swalla." I am not going to lie, it is one of the stupidest songs I have ever heard. Between the childish sounding beat and the typical half naked women, Ill just say I have heard better.

1. From the video I see the men as rich and desirable to women. The fact that they have money and are talking about sex while having women prance all over them. It gives off the impression that as a man, if you behave that way women will be all over you. Women in this video are objects, and their only job is to keep quiet and just be present.

2. I feel like all music videos tell a story whether they are sexual or not. In this case, I feel like the video tells a story about how women like to be noticed sexually. If women wear skimpy outfits and dance around men they are important aspects in a mans life. When it comes to the men in the video, the men seem to be waiting for the women to interact with them sexually. When a woman starts to act sexually towards a man it opens up the door to more interaction.

3. Party is all I see in this video. Women are holding bottles of alcohol and everyone is dancing around. Without lyrics it is obvious that the message is to go out and enjoy yourself, and the only way to do so is to go to a club and drink.

4. I do think the video reinforces harmful stereotypes. The video seems to promote sexual behavior as the only way to be desirable and that if you drink and party it is an excuse to be sexual and promiscuous. Often times in the video you see Ty and Jason just standing around while the women are throwing themselves at them, kinda like if they are stripper poles. It is subjecting that it is appropriate to throw yourself at men and perform for them.

5. Now that I am older I understand why my parents really did not want me watching music videos. However when I was a teen most of the videos were not as sexual as they are now. This video gives off the impression that if you party and get drunk it is okay to be open sexually. For viewers at this age, it is also telling teens that this behavior is what is expected of both men and women.

"Holla at a playa"

After viewing The Bro Code in class, I chose to watch Tough Guise 2 at home.

The Bro Code gave me a greater perspective on how women are often generalized merely as sexual objects whether it is in films, television, advertisements, or in the real world. In films and television we often see women no matter how independent or powerful, fall weak to a man's power. The same for advertisements, many of them give off the impression that if you are not sexual you are not desirable to a man.  The film also gave me the chills when it examined the harsh reality of women subjected to violence whether it is though rape, sexual harassment, or verbal abuse. What was more disturbing is the fact that violence against women is glorified through pornography and made clear that women “want it” when that in fact is not true. Overall whether we want to believe it or not, though there are so many powerful women in the world. Many people including women, will still say men are always more dominant than women. Apparently men are more powerful because stereotypically they are aggressive and do not show their feelings. Bullshit.

What I found rather interesting in Tough Guise was when the film talked about the ever so popular phrase “boys will be boys” when it came down to sex, anger, and masculinity. So we should excuse a male's poor behavior because well boys will be boys? Yea fuck that. I also found it interesting when the film explained that men who do show their feelings are often categorized as weak, gay, or a pussy. Men must not show their emotions. They must hide them behind violence and aggression. Women will only want a strong aggressive man, so don't you dare look weak sir. It kinda goes into play with The Bro Code. If a woman does not look sexual she will not be desirable to men, and if a man looks weak he will not be desirable to women. Tough Guise also brought up a good point that men are often taught this behavior and perception at a young age. Sending the message that aggressive behavior or specific thoughts about violence and women are acceptable because you have a penis you manly man you.

Jon Lajoie may not be a mainstream rapper, but he is an actor I had never heard of until I heard his songs. He has gained tons of attention and millions of views for his music videos “Show me your Genitals” Part 1 and Part 2. I heard this song years ago when my brother brought it to my attention, mind you he was 8 years old at the time and heard it from a friend. He was very immature and continually laughed at the chorus, but never really understood the meaning behind the lyrics until he got older. I myself am guilty of laughing and thinking the song was just a mere joke. The song goes in depth about a man's perception of women sexually, and that a man who shows his feelings is gay. The lyrics are quite explicit and disturbing. Don't get me wrong, I love a good joke and I do not get offended easily. However, “I can't put my penis in your college degree?” Well if that's how you feel, I don't want your penis anywhere near me sir. Enjoy the rest of the lyrics and the music videos provided down below. Thanks for reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z5JsrO7378 Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM0XHJS3GgM Part 2




"Show Me Your Genitals"

Women are stupid and I don't respect them
That's right, I just have sex with them
Show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, genitalia
Show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, genitalia

You're talking to me about stuff
Why? I'd rather see your titties
Now you're talking about other stuff
Why? I'd much rather see your titties

I can't have sex with your personality
And I can't put my penis in your college degree
And I can't shove my fist in your childhood dreams
So why you're sharing all this information with me?

It's not sexist, 'cause I'm saying it in a song
That's right bitch, now take off your thong

And show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, genitalia
Show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, genitalia

Knock, knock, who's there? It's me
Wondering why you're not naked
Knock, knock, who's there? Me again
Still wondering why you're not naked

I wanna see your bum, I don't care what you say
No, I don't have feelings, 'cause feelings are gay
Something, something in the month of May
Bitches love my penis, 'cause it's really big

Girl's brains are much stupider than men's are
So they should always listen to us, 'cause we're smart
Women are only good for three things:
Cooking, cleaning and vaginas

Show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, genitalia
Show me your genitals, your genitals
Show me your genitals, your genitalia

I can give good sex to you,
'cause I'm really good at sex.
I can give good sex to you,
'cause I'm really good at sex.

Oh yeah! That's right, shake your... bums!
I'm out of here. I gotta go have sex with a lot of girls

Say What?

The image above is advertising that if you simply sprinkle Sensa on your food you will feel full, lose weight, and look like the photo. Companies know that a majority of people are willing to pay money for anything that guarantees limited effort and quick results. Especially when it comes to weight loss. The advertised photo clearly states “ Get a gym body without going to the gym,” when clearly the woman photographed has muscle definition and is toned. Which in order to achieve, you must workout and use weights. However the photo is implying that if you simply sprinkle some shit on your food, you will drop 30 pounds and look amazing. That's what we all want right? The photo above is misleading and can trigger many emotions. Obviously the photo is unrealistic, and down below I have provided a link that shows the company under fire for false advertisement; in which Sensa had agreed to make changes to their advertisement. I do not know if it ever happened, Sensa is an old product from what I remember, but it sure as hell was popular in the past.

Washington times Feb 11, 2017.

The image above I am sure looks familiar. It is of one of the many protests in California about Planned Parenthood. The women shown in the photo look concerned, and are wanting to share their opinion. The thing that got my attention most is that a majority of their signs say “pray,” which to some people it could come across as if you are in favor of Planned Parenthood, you are not religious, nor do you value God. That is not the case, many men and women rely on PP for medical services, whether they are religious or not. This photo alone could trigger many emotions including fear, anxiety, and to some happiness. One could say that the photo is empowering and brave, or even gracious that people are standing up for their beliefs. On the other side of the fence, many would argue that it is wrong and misleading. Just because you believe in equality for all people, it does not make you less religious or a sinner. PP is a clinic that provides so much for so many people. No one should have a voice when it comes to choosing what you do with your body. For many people in this situation, it is a scary feeling not knowing if you will have somewhere to go for medical services.  

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/11/activists-rally-at-planned-parenthood-centers-in-c/

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-sensa

Inspire

For this weeks assignment I came across the Inspire Women Act introduced by congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-Virginia.) The bill is meant to inspire more women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. It was first introduced on January 5, 2017, passed the House vote on January 10, then the senate on February 14, and was signed by President Trump on February 28, 2017. The bill is sponsored by Comstock, and Co- Sponsored by Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas.) This bill benefits women, and is set to inspire and encourage them to develop essential knowledge and skills in the STEM fields of work. Women who work in the STEM fields as of now only make up about 26%. With this, Barbara hopes more women will enter into these sorts of careers.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr321

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr4755/text

https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-signs-bills-promote-women-science

https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-s-bipartisan-inspire-women-act-passes-house

Fake news has shaped the public's views in many ways, especially during and after the past election. Not only are people influenced by what they think is accurate information, but fake news has also led some individuals to take measures into their own hands, and cause actual harm that could have been prevented had they checked their sources. Many have addressed the importance of checking your sources to avoid being misinformed. Social media for example can be very misleading.

My facebook feed is loaded with my friends sharing news reports by sources that sound so extremely random and fake. From time to time I will click on them and the stories are so outrageous, and what drives me even more crazy is how worked up some of my facebook friends get over what they think is true. Trump has made this whole situation a lot more difficult. Trump has made it a point to call every news source “fake news” if they report on something he does not approve of. He is like a child throwing a tantrum! Aside from political standpoints, I just want news to be true and accurate.

Here are a few things that I found interesting,  

http://www.factcheck.org/2016/11/how-to-spot-fake-news/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4IHwXjcBes 

Pew Pew...

Growing up I never really played video games, however my brothers did and they always played video games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. They were fascinated with pretending to shoot everything and everyone with their finger guns until my parents made it clear to them that guns were not a toy. I do think that video games glorify violence, but I do not think that all killers and violent people are the way they are because they played video games. Men also always seem to be the glorified character in video game violence, they are set out to look manly and powerful when they are shooting and promoting violence. Don't get me wrong I do think that people have the right to own a gun however after watching a few videos, and films I do see where guns and violence could seem "cool" and "fun" and could be an issue for some people. Gun violence is glamorized but no safety precautions or warnings are ever present in video games.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgFjP8polu4

Happy Violence

Happy violence is the medias way of showing aggression, violence, and careless acts in a cool senseless way that always ends with a happy outcome. For many people it is very entertaining and easy to give into it, often times people feed off of it and cant get enough.
I am a huge Eminem fan, and I know a lot of people get offended by the things he says and shows in his videos (particularly women.) I actually find his songs and videos humorous, I know how to take a joke. However his videos are an example of happy violence. "The real Slim Shady" is an old video and you hear him say something about a man beating a woman worse than before, but the scene is "funny" and then the next scene shows Eminem running around in a Superhero costume laughing.
An example from television is American Horror Story, I am a huge fan of the show. I will admit at times it is a little too graphic, but I can not stop watching. It is loaded with senseless killings and there is never any real consequences, and all of the seasons take place in modern times. Basically most of the characters kill at some point and then just move on to the next. The photo below is from a scene (I do not recall what season) but she has just admitted someone was killed like it was cool and no big deal because they "had it coming" then acted like nothing happened.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFqRyxpgOFI