The city of Cambridge found itself in the international headlines in defense of racial profiling accusations. Many of you may have watched, read or heard that Harvard Prof. Henry Gates, Jr. was arrested at his Cambridge home and charged with disorderly conduct. The charges were quickly dropped after national outrage. Since then, there has been comments from the highest political figures in office. President Obama described the action of the Officer as "stupidly" when a reporter asked him directly for his opinion during a televised health care reform press conference. You can guess what the media pundits chose to highlight and overanalyze.
Many are commenting on others' comments which is making this incident viral. Others are sugarcoating deeper issues such as pervasive racial tensions and the inbalance of power in our culture. Race continues to divide many in this country post electing the first African American President. Some have sided with Gates and others with the arresting Officer in question. It is being presented as a black and white problem.
WGBH's Basic Black, CNN and several other television programs jumped on the bandwagon to create special forum to address the recent event. As I'm listening to all views, I wonder what role, if any, did assumptions and power play in shaping this incident? How is anger perceived in the context of race, masculinity, and class?
As you can see we still have old wounds to heal and new ones to mend. It's a lot to process but this incident certainly qualifies as a teachable moment.
Media Diva
So Sexy So Soon: Girls & Tiaras
TLC will debut another reality show capitalizing on the state of our culture with a snapshot of pageant for toddlers. Now that Kate & Jon+ 8 has become a rating disaster, it's time to find the next ploy to draw an audience. How about a showcasing little girls being conditioned to become beauty obsessed ? I saw a news story that reported that an infant as young as two weeks old has been entered in a pageant. Two weeks! This child is just discovering her environment and a parent decided the best way to build her child's imagination and place in the world is through pageantry.
Many of these parents, mostly the mothers, have also been part of pageants as young beauty queens. The cycle continues but now it's starting earlier on the premise the girls want to do it. Many parents have stated the kids wanted to participate and they're simply being supportive in helping them reach their dreams. One of the mothers interviewed stated, "small towns, big dreams." Regardless of where a girl is growing up, a happy childhood is more important than winning pageant trophies. At four years old, a little girl is parading on stage with loads of makeup, coiffed hair, in heels and smiling at the judges for votes. What is wrong with this picture? It all depends on who you ask.
A few months ago, I interviewed Dr. Diane Levin, co-author of So Sexy So Soon, about the sexualization of childhood in our culture. Little girls are growing faster and being objectified in the media for profit disguised as cuteness. This is a dangerous trend as some of these girls will become celebrities through reality TV and get scrutinized about their looks. There is also the possibility that other girls watching will see these participants as potential role models. What's next? Extreme makeovers for babies. The network will probably get a pass because the parents grant them permission to use the images of their children. Who should be held accountable?
Everyone should read So Sexy So Soon to learn about ways to raise media savvy children and teach them critical thinking skills. If toddlers are now part of the reality TV landscape, it is clear parents and others must take a proactive role to counter these packaged messages about girl/childhood. Don't thinkg that boys are exempt from these images, Dr. Levin reminded me that they're negatively affected as well. Drs. Levin and Jean Kilbourne offer some great tips in their book. Here are some examples from the website:
• Encourage a broad range of interests and skills in both your girls and your boys.
• Choose toys and play materials that allow for a broad range of play activities instead of narrowly scripting it.
• Encourage girls and boys to find common ground for engaging in meaningful activities with each other, including play.
• Point out examples of males and females who are doing a broad range of activities, not just the limited range that children so often see in the media.
• Help boys and girls find appealing role models that provide alternative images to increasingly influential celebrity culture with its superstar icons.
I encourage you to add the book to your reading list. It's a must have companion guide to complement your parenting and teaching.
Media Diva
Everyone should read So Sexy So Soon to learn about ways to raise media savvy children and teach them critical thinking skills. If toddlers are now part of the reality TV landscape, it is clear parents and others must take a proactive role to counter these packaged messages about girl/childhood. Don't thinkg that boys are exempt from these images, Dr. Levin reminded me that they're negatively affected as well. Drs. Levin and Jean Kilbourne offer some great tips in their book. Here are some examples from the website:
• Encourage a broad range of interests and skills in both your girls and your boys.
• Choose toys and play materials that allow for a broad range of play activities instead of narrowly scripting it.
• Encourage girls and boys to find common ground for engaging in meaningful activities with each other, including play.
• Point out examples of males and females who are doing a broad range of activities, not just the limited range that children so often see in the media.
• Help boys and girls find appealing role models that provide alternative images to increasingly influential celebrity culture with its superstar icons.
I encourage you to add the book to your reading list. It's a must have companion guide to complement your parenting and teaching.
Media Diva
The Price of Beauty: DIY Plastic Surgery
I never thought it would come to this. We live in a culture obsessed with beauty by any means necessary. Good Morning America reported a story about a woman who injected silicon in her lips to make it plumper. She also wanted reduce a small scar on her face. She bought a cheap product online and set out to perform her own surgery at home. The result was a disaster. She then realized she should have accepted herself as is. What an afterthought! It is so disturbing to me the extent some women are willing to go for appearance's sake. Imagine sticking yourself with a needle in hope a fuller lips will make you feel better about yourself.
For more on the story go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=8080723&page=1
For more on the story go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=8080723&page=1
Drop Dead Diva: Do my knees look fat?
How many times have you heard these negative body talks among women? How many women do you know who are grieving daily over the body they have? A few weeks ago, I saw the trailer for the new Lifetime's dramedy, Drop Dead Diva. I could not believe my eyes and ears. Another fluffy show about a woman measuring her self worth through her body, relationship status and what not to wear and eat. I was ready to block it from weekly show line up when I saw Margaret Cho talking about DDD and her role in it. Cho is one of my favorite Comediennes. After hearing what she had to say, I had a change of heart. I braced myself to see the pilot episode on Sunday night.
For those who have not seen Drop Dead Diva. It's about a size 2 aspiring model who died and get a second chance in the body of a plus size female lawyer. Oh the horror! Wearing Lane Bryant turned out to be a major fashion faux pas for this diva. During one of the scenes, the character's best friend (before her death) declares, "Fat thing should not happen to skinny people." In her new curvaceous body, she is insecure yet smart and sassy. She is tempted by a plate of chocolate donuts at work. There are so many food references throughout the show from easy cheese to chocolate. This is not the first tv series to explore these body image angsts and won't be the last. I wonder what viewers are learning from the character and how will Jane evolve in her new body. More importantly, what messages are young women being exposed to? It's only the first episode but I'm curious to see how the story line develops. How will Drop Dead Diva perform in ratings in comparison to Dead like me, Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle and dare I go back in time to Ally McBeal. Let's watch and find out..
Your Media Diva
For those who have not seen Drop Dead Diva. It's about a size 2 aspiring model who died and get a second chance in the body of a plus size female lawyer. Oh the horror! Wearing Lane Bryant turned out to be a major fashion faux pas for this diva. During one of the scenes, the character's best friend (before her death) declares, "Fat thing should not happen to skinny people." In her new curvaceous body, she is insecure yet smart and sassy. She is tempted by a plate of chocolate donuts at work. There are so many food references throughout the show from easy cheese to chocolate. This is not the first tv series to explore these body image angsts and won't be the last. I wonder what viewers are learning from the character and how will Jane evolve in her new body. More importantly, what messages are young women being exposed to? It's only the first episode but I'm curious to see how the story line develops. How will Drop Dead Diva perform in ratings in comparison to Dead like me, Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle and dare I go back in time to Ally McBeal. Let's watch and find out..
Your Media Diva
The Soloist: The Music of Life
In The Soloist, Jamie Foxx plays Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a 50-something homeless violinist who once attended Juillard as a gifted artist. Although naturally talented, Nathaniel has schizophrenia. In spite of his condition, he continues to play a two string violin in the streets of greater Los Angeles. He loves Beethoven since he was a young boy and knows every fact about his life. He immersed in classical music to escape poverty and his mental demons. Nathaniel is a character who talks constantly about famous musical geniuses from Beethoven to Yo-Yo Ma. What is clearly evident from the first introduction of Nathaniel is his divine love and passion for music. Music is his first love and language.
Later, we meet Steve Lopez (plays by Robert Downey Jr.), a divorced reporter from the L.A. Times who decided to make Nathaniel the center of his columns. George‘s life is polar opposite to Nathaniel’s. For starters, he has a career, a family and a place to call home. His first column about Nathaniel drew praises and inspired a reader to donate a fully functioning violin for Nathaniel. George became mired in Nathaniel’s life and his struggles with mental health. Like most people, his first assumption is that Nathaniel needs medication. Throughout the movie, I wonder, what is Steve Lopez’s real motivation for writing about Nathaniel’s story? Is he exploiting him to sell newspapers and advance his career ambitions? At times, he seems like a friend, a confidant and a mentor. On other occasions, he acts like a caring social worker and advocate. He even rented a furnished apartment for Nathaniel and a fellow musician to give him music lessons. His generosity has exceeded that of a reporter and a concerned citizen.
As he digs deeper into Nathaniel’s past and begins exploring homelessness and poverty, he becomes an involuntary anthropologist in his approach to document his subject’s tendencies and behaviors in his habitat. Steve Lopez’s column eventually drew attention from the Mayor and receives an award for the impact of his narratives on the city and those suffering from mental illness. In the end, Steve’s help by being a friend and supports him however he could. Nathaniel greatly benefits from his friendship and resources provided to navigate in the world in spite of his challenges. Essentially, the movie portrays two soloists as they expose the fragile strings of life.
Later, we meet Steve Lopez (plays by Robert Downey Jr.), a divorced reporter from the L.A. Times who decided to make Nathaniel the center of his columns. George‘s life is polar opposite to Nathaniel’s. For starters, he has a career, a family and a place to call home. His first column about Nathaniel drew praises and inspired a reader to donate a fully functioning violin for Nathaniel. George became mired in Nathaniel’s life and his struggles with mental health. Like most people, his first assumption is that Nathaniel needs medication. Throughout the movie, I wonder, what is Steve Lopez’s real motivation for writing about Nathaniel’s story? Is he exploiting him to sell newspapers and advance his career ambitions? At times, he seems like a friend, a confidant and a mentor. On other occasions, he acts like a caring social worker and advocate. He even rented a furnished apartment for Nathaniel and a fellow musician to give him music lessons. His generosity has exceeded that of a reporter and a concerned citizen.
As he digs deeper into Nathaniel’s past and begins exploring homelessness and poverty, he becomes an involuntary anthropologist in his approach to document his subject’s tendencies and behaviors in his habitat. Steve Lopez’s column eventually drew attention from the Mayor and receives an award for the impact of his narratives on the city and those suffering from mental illness. In the end, Steve’s help by being a friend and supports him however he could. Nathaniel greatly benefits from his friendship and resources provided to navigate in the world in spite of his challenges. Essentially, the movie portrays two soloists as they expose the fragile strings of life.
It’s Complicated for Better or for Worse
It’s complicated describes many modern relationships and relationship status on social network sites. The movie made it on my list because of its main female character, Meryl Streep. She is a versatile actress who has portrayed several intriguing characters including Julie & Julia and Doubt, to name a few. On the other hand, I was skeptical this would be another movie about a lonely woman grieving over a failed relationship or obsessing about getting married or being unhappy in her current relationship. Movies are so formulaic when it comes to male female relationships. Labeling them predictable is an under statement. It’s complicated took a page from Something Gotta Give and That Old Feeling by exploring the complexities of moving forward for a divorced female empty nester. Stereotypically, the women always seem to linger over their domestic and caretaker roles as mother and wife while the male character seem to easily move on to the next relationship with a younger woman. After the kids are grown up, graduated from school and moved out of the house, there is a sudden appreciation for the contributions his ex wife has made in raising independent children. Fast forward in movie land fantasy, the ex-husband played by Alec Baldwin (Jake) and ex-wife sleep together after a night of drinking and dancing in New York. Days later, Jake returned declaring his undying love for Jane and claiming, “no one has to know” since life is short. In other words, just enjoy the moment and don’t worry about the consequences. Inexplicably, the sex is sexier according to the ex husband.
After two so called “French like” encounters, all the previous marital issues have been resolved. Imagine that! For her, she has a lot of energy and bakes pies for her girlfriends. Is this revenge of the ex-wife after 10 years? Is this the most liberating way to lose control? Better yet, is this the perfect pay back for the other woman, formerly wife? To complicate matters, Jane starts a relationship with a charming yet talented architect (Steve Martin) who’s building her dream addition with the kitchen she always wanted. Given the fact that she already has a great kitchen in her main house with the amenities she will have in the addition, I don’t see the relevance. I digress. Her boost of energy continues as she bakes pies, prepares home made ice cream when she can’t sleep and cooks gourmet meals she learned while in Paris during her 20’s. All of this from an affair with an ex-husband who becomes the lover/man he couldn’t be when they were married. Her therapist already sees a difference in her openness and shares that she may be learning to see the world in a different way. All of a sudden, she’s rearranging her schedule around him to sneak around in hotels and cooking for him for a date night until reality and old habits start creeping back. Jane is disappointed and must reflect on the true motive of her affair with Jake. Although it appears they have reignited their passion for one another, it is not simple to pick up where they left off. In the end, it remains complicated for Jane and Jake with somewhat of a happy ending. In movie land, you never know what may happen. People tend to repeat history and their mistakes in the process of life changing experiences. I suppose that’s what makes the movie relateable with a touch of humor and whimsy.
After two so called “French like” encounters, all the previous marital issues have been resolved. Imagine that! For her, she has a lot of energy and bakes pies for her girlfriends. Is this revenge of the ex-wife after 10 years? Is this the most liberating way to lose control? Better yet, is this the perfect pay back for the other woman, formerly wife? To complicate matters, Jane starts a relationship with a charming yet talented architect (Steve Martin) who’s building her dream addition with the kitchen she always wanted. Given the fact that she already has a great kitchen in her main house with the amenities she will have in the addition, I don’t see the relevance. I digress. Her boost of energy continues as she bakes pies, prepares home made ice cream when she can’t sleep and cooks gourmet meals she learned while in Paris during her 20’s. All of this from an affair with an ex-husband who becomes the lover/man he couldn’t be when they were married. Her therapist already sees a difference in her openness and shares that she may be learning to see the world in a different way. All of a sudden, she’s rearranging her schedule around him to sneak around in hotels and cooking for him for a date night until reality and old habits start creeping back. Jane is disappointed and must reflect on the true motive of her affair with Jake. Although it appears they have reignited their passion for one another, it is not simple to pick up where they left off. In the end, it remains complicated for Jane and Jake with somewhat of a happy ending. In movie land, you never know what may happen. People tend to repeat history and their mistakes in the process of life changing experiences. I suppose that’s what makes the movie relateable with a touch of humor and whimsy.
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