I would like to start by saying Catherine and Major Gee’s presentations made me think a lot. I thought the advertisement was typical of an airline since it used an attractive woman and a powerful man and how it created such a long discussion with so many diverse points from discrimination to social class and even the analogy to our classroom. I thought it was interesting how some thought it was sexist and racist. From my point of view, I don’t think it was too racist because it was Cathay Pacific Airlines which is a Hong Kong Airline so it is natural that the flight attendant be an Asian woman. I think if it were an American Airlines commercial the flight attendant might have been either a ‘white’ woman or guy. So, in that regard, I don’t think it is racist. We all know sex sells in advertisement especially in certain industries such as airline, alcohol, automobiles and cell phones. I do think it was a little sexist since it had the ‘powerful’ man in a dominant position and the woman was obviously subservient. But then again, sex sells and I think most woman want to be an object of desire that is why so many get plastic surgery or try to look beautiful.
Here’s a really sexist airline advertisement from Virgin Atlantic Airlines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbib-A6NpW8&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Christy, you did a great presentation just the week before!!!! I wish I had half your ability in a second language. I can't imagine that I would ever be at your competence in a second language no matter how hard I tried. So thank you for your comments, but I am far more envious of you…really!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I understand what you are saying about women wanting to be objects of desire (men too) and that’s why they get plastic surgery and other such things, but I think the problem lies in who dictates the standard of beauty that we strive for. I think the images we see on TV and in magazines, movies etc teach us from a young age the way we 'should' look if we want all the things that this promises us (to be desired, get married, be ‘happy’). Unfortunately the standard of beauty that many women (including myself) crave is unobtainable yet they are sold to us as conditions of being a "good woman". These standards are expected of us by men, pushed on us by other women and most sadly, used by us to torment ourselves.
I have, since the class on Saturday, been trying to find an article I read that was published in the UK a few years ago. The article had interviewed a number of UK women, aged between 18-24 (I think), who were all university students. I can’t remember the exact numbers but a massive proportion of these women said if they could only have one, they would rather be beautiful than smart. I remember at the time how sad that made me, but I think it resonates far more deeply with me now. What does that say about what ‘we’ believe? That it doesn’t matter about being smart because if you’re beautiful then you will always have a man to take care of you? And that the only women who need to worry about being smart are the ‘ugly’ ones? Oh, it all makes me too sad!
i took a lot from your thoughts here... first, you talked about a 'critical pedagogies lesson' in the format of group discussion... this is only one way. more and more i'm beginning to think that the structure of a class is one of the most (if not THE most) important aspects. why do we make the decisions we make? why have the teacher at the front of the room? why have all the desks point in one direction? why have everyone doing the same tasks? these are all important questions for the teacher to ask because they have the potential to break us out of our habits and keep us thinking about our experiences in new ways. so on that note, large group discussions can become habitual as well. so maybe there is no 'ideal' structure, just processes of trial and error and constant adjustment. anyway, i thought both your presentations were fantastic. and maybe we can start thinking about ways that we can situate critical practices in more restrictive teaching environments.
ReplyDeletegreat post and thanks for your reflections!
To Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Catherine. And I totally agree with you about who dictates the standard of beauty. I think it seems like the whole idea of “culture industry” that portrays beauty all the same way and make people want to conform. I think it is really a shame especially when I watch Korean TV and how all the young girl singers and actresses look so much alike after all their plastic surgery. Unfortunately our cultures define beauty in similar ways even though some other cultures define it in other ways. I think it is also hypocritical how we teach girls to be ourselves but then force this standard of beauty on us. And about that survey about choosing to be beautiful instead of smart, in Korea it isn’t just about having a man take care of you. Sadly, appearance greatly affects a girl’s chances of getting a job not matter how smart a girl. It is sad but I think we have to be true to ourselves and stand up for our own values whatever they may be.
To Prof. Porter,
I read and read again your comment:). Right, habitually doing something is not good so that is why we have to constantly adjust what we do. And I understand “we can situate critical practices in more restrictive teaching environments.” I will always keep this in mind. Thank you so much for your comments always^^.