Racial and Gendered Stereotypes Pt. 1

Wednesday 2-18-09, 10:30 pm
Nypost.com
New York Post Page Six Cartoon
Racial Stereotype
NY Post cartoonist Sean Delonas portrays President Obama as a monkey with a caption he put in one of his cartoons.

Thursday 2-19-09, 10:15 pm
Bravo
Real Housewives of Orange County Reunion Episode
Gender Stereotype
One of the housewives’ says “hold on to your daddies, Gretchen’s coming.” She is the cast member that is considered the gold-digger.

Monday 2-23-09, 11:00 pm
ABC.com
Sitcom: Desperate Housewives
Gender Stereotype
Susan, single mother, plays the jealous ex-wife/baby mama role.

Wednesday 2-25-09, 10:00 pm
Warren Theatre, Moore
Film: Friday the 13th
Racial Stereotype
Single black cast member playing the “angry black male” role.

Wednesday 2-25-09 10:31 pm
Facebook
Note: 100 Things Black Women Hate About Black Men
Racial Stereotype
The title explains it all, even I was offended reading this.

Thursday 2-26-09, 1:45 pm
Nypost.com/entertainment
New York Post article: Plan B
Gender Stereotype
Article features a picture of a woman daydreaming in her office. Captioned picture is of an old white man with a lot of cash in his hand. The lead states that Courtney Beard’s plan B is to get a “boob” job if she loses her current real estate job. This “boob job” is actually one in a nursing home for old rich men.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02262009/entertainment/plan_b_156923.htm

Thursday 2-26-09 10:10 pm
News 9
Commercial for morning news
Gender Stereotype
Anchor states in headlines for morning news that some roller derby “babes” will be in town.

Thursday 2-26-09, 10:40 pm
Fox
TMZ
Gender stereotype
Reporter spotted Sophia Loren leaving a restaurant and says “Sophia Loren is still rocking the cleavage at 74.”

Friday 2-27-09 4:10 pm
AT&T Store
Racial Stereotype
One of my co-workers thought it was funny to assume to her clients that I was not a fan of country music when they asked about Hank Williams Jr. ringtones.

Friday 2-27-09 7:00 PM
AT&T STORE
Racial Stereotype
Another one of my co-workers made a reference to not liking Kanye West because he was obsessed with being “the oppressed black man” or something like that. This comment was made as we were looking at pictures online from fashion week.

Racist?

This is a cartoon that was published in today's New York Post. It's supposed to make light of the monkey that was recently shot by police. If a media outlet of this caliber is publishing something of this nature they need to reevaluate some things. Shaking my damn head, they know they are wrong. Thoughts?

Big XII Race-Based Admissions

Baylor - Does not have a race-based admissions policy

Iowa State - Does not have a race-based admissions policy

Oklahoma State - Does not have a race-based admissions policy

OU - The University of Oklahoma does not practice race-based admissions. The lady at the admissions office sounded offended when I asked her and she replied "no we never have based it on that."

KU - Does not have a race-based admissions policy

Mizzou - Does not have a race-based admissions policy

My Thoughts on Privilege

I think that privilege is a very old concept that is dying - maybe not quite dying but it is disguised in various ways. A few decades ago the idea of privilege was more evident. It was talked about more amongst friends and more prominent in the work place, communities and in the media. Many of us don't think about privilege anymore because we don't have as many experiences as our parents or grandparents did to reference. I personally don't think I would know as much about privilege if I wasn't taught by my grandmother; who was a civil rights activist. This is mainly because our generation didn't have to worry about things like segregation every single day. Privilege is not a topic that is brought up in school or at the dinner table anymore. But that doesn't mean that it does not still exist. Watching the Tim Wise video and hearing the examples that he gave made me realize how privilege is disguised today.

I am currently having an issue with figuring out why I don't see privilege personally. I can't figure out how it became disguised to me. Some say that not seeing privilege is a form of privilege. I agree with this largely, except for when it comes to me. I feel that I have worked hard for everything that I have accomplished in my life. I have always held a great job, I have received a number of scholarships, I have been given awards and rewards and held numerous leadership positions. I don't think that this is a privilege - it is the result of hard work and dedication. Now that I have typed this out and gone over it in my head I am realizing that I probably had to work twice as hard as the individuals that have accomplished the same things that I have.

The media examples that I have seen display privilege are white males holding all of the late night network talk-show host positions. I do think that society still believes in the one-drop rule. Mostly because if you have one drop of African blood in you, it shows, and you are immediately put in a box.

I agree that it is our responsibility to stay informed about things and build knowledge everyday. I feel that it is important for us to pass on this knowledge to our children and everyone else we come in contact with. This is the only way we are going to change stereotypes and other common misconceptions about the world.

If You Seek Amy?

Once upon a time, Dr. Dre and Kurupt recorded a song called "Housewife" that incited some sort of epiphany in men that has lasted almost a decade. I've been thinking about this song for a few weeks because I was reading a blog the other day and the women were referring to the lyrics: "you can't make a hoe a housewife." The wheels in my head started turning that day when I realized how brainwashed everyone has become about the way that we label women in our society.

You have "artists" convincing every man that he should want a lady in the streets, but a freak in the bed - and other "artists" saying that "hoes" aren't marriage material. I would like to know at what point is a woman considered a hoe? What are the qualifications? Do you have to apply for that position? I don't get it. I see a number of young women who are afraid to express their opinions about sexuality for fear of being labeled a hoe, just because she knows more than the next. 

In no way do I advocate sleeping around - I just think that we shouldn't label people based upon their actions. Most young people are exposed to sex and sex symbols at a very young age. In turn, young women feel the need to expose themselves in a sexual manner. Whether it be through their actions, the way they dress, etc. A lot of times promiscuous behavior is expected out of young women because that is all the young boys around are used to. But as soon as this girl is comfortable with her sexuality, she is labeled. She might even be labeled by other young women.

I personally feel that the images on television, lyrics in songs and everything else in pop culture is to blame for this problem. Not having sex appeal causes low self esteem in women as well as having too much sex appeal. It is important for individuals who are in the public eye to be careful of the messages that they convey through their artistry, due to the fact that the majority of individuals exposed to it are young and extremely impressionable. Thoughts?