A Picture Is Always Worth More Than A Thousand Words

Sometimes its better to create an artwork and draw pictures of how you feel about certain issues. It can get people to think about the bigger picture that words cant even describe. Here are some powerful images that I found in an article that these cartoonists had drawn from many different countries. The artwork focuses on the subject of women and women's rights.

Bannerman: USA

Aghael: Iran

Hurwitt: USA

Boutin: France

Nardi: Italy

Feggo: USA

Donnelly

A New Way to Educate Children On Women's Rights

                             Read about which Facebook games are educating children on women's rights!

Some parents tend to stay away from letting their children play video games. Other parents may think its a great way to take advantage of letting children do what they love and get a learning experience out of it.

Well, in this article above, there are mothers out there who believe in letting their children play social games in order to gain knowledge about real issues people may face in their lives. To be very specific, this article focuses on social games involving issues that women face.

These social games include games that are available on Facebook which mother's introduce to their kids. It turns out to be a learning experience for children, no matter what age your children may be. I found this very interesting and helpful because children need to gain more knowledge on serious issues like women's rights. We're all exposed to advertisements and certain situations regarding to gender inequality issues at an early age. As a result, young children start seeing the wrong message and it could effect the way they think about themselves or other people as they get older.

I support mothers who are letting their children play these social games. Playing these games on Facebook are not harmful to children and should be exposed to them at an early age to educate them more on issues that women face today and even culturally.

Douglas Rushkoff: Programmed Or Be Programmed

In today’s society, we take advantage of what we have learned and mold it into something better. Douglas Rushkoff explains, “As we move into an increasingly digital reality, we must learn not just how to use programs, but how to make them.” He calls it, in simple terms, known as programmed or be programmed. Digital technology is starting to control all aspects of our everyday lives. He argues that digital technology is going to control us without even knowing it. If we don’t control the digitalized culture, the culture will control us. In addition, so many of us rely on the internet and that may cause problems socially. An example in the book used is students are suddenly utilizing the internet, but relying on Wikipedia for answers. Instead of taking the time to research the answers of what you need, we are taking the most convenient way out and suddenly using Wikipedia. We can agree Wikipedia is not a reliable source as it comes from many different opinions from numerous amounts of people. In this digitalized culture, we need to be cautious as Rushkoff explains, we need to be more aware of our choices; therefore take action or you will be controlled.

He points out ten commands that explain reasons to avoid being the victim of getting programmed.  Time is known as one of the first commands. Rushkoff states, “We live in a continuous “now” and time is always passing for us. Digital technologies do not exist in time, at all.” As a result, time flies by in this fast paced culture. He further explains back into time when the internet was connected through dial up, time was very slow. People were actually patient to respond to each other in a thoughtful way. Conversations were known as asynchronous, which meant that having an online conversation took time. You actually had time to think about how you were going to respond online without responding as quickly, like you would in a verbal conversation. It becomes a problem because people are not thinking things thoroughly before they respond and were not even aware of it. We need to be more aware of the changes going on in technology and learn to control it.

Rushkoff also explains how Gina is another example of one of the ten commands. She is described as the social butterfly who is always trying to find the latest parties to attend. As she puts too much time utilizing her social networks on her phone, she doesn’t acknowledge the people she is with now. She is known as being “everywhere at once,” the girl who is at the party without being at the party. Rushkoff describes it as having an “always on relationship” with her phone and social networks. Gina is too busy taking pictures with her friends, on networking sites chatting and texting on her phone; she removes herself from the place she is at disconnecting herself from everybody else. Ironically, the most social girl with many friends is physically not social at all. Rushkoff explains, “Digital networks are decentralized technologies making it suitable for long distance communication and activities- but rather awful with what-or who- is right in front of us.”  As these social networks are intended for people to come together and engage themselves in each other’s lives; it is almost doing the opposite. It’s putting girls, like Gina, in a situation where they are disconnecting themselves from everyone, physically. Gina was not taking the time to engage with everyone at the party she attended. Instead, she used her phone to find the latest place to be at, while being on networking sites, texting, and taking pictures.

Rushkoff also argues, “The digital realm is biased towards choice, because everything must be expressed in the terms of a discrete, yes-or-no, symbolic language.” In this digital culture, we love making decisions and having the option to have a choice; but we do also have a choice to say no. He discusses, “Choice is less about giving people what they want than getting them to take what the choice-giver has to sell.” An example would be shopping online for clothes, and based on what you have been looking at, they suggest more style similar to what you are looking for. As convenient as this may be for us, technology has become more advanced as we are becoming more predictable by the choices we make. Although they are appearing to be giving us choices, in reality, they are making the decisions for us, based on their research. We revolve ourselves and focus on the websites we visit, applications we download, and companies we subscribe to. We make choices and filter what we want to see in the “digital realm”, but also have the decision to choose to not make a choice at all.

Although Rushkoff argues that you can have the choice to not make a choice at all, I slightly disagree with his arguments. I believe that keeping up with the trends and utilizing social networking sites is important in this society. We do live in a digitalized culture where technology is always taking the next step and is constantly advancing. Although, I do believe it is important to take control of how we use it in order to become more cautious and aware. By being aware and more cautious, those in power making the decisions will not have total control. 

Women Shouldnt

                                                                 Women Shouldnt

A link to this article came across my newsfeed on facebook and it became a trending topic for all of my friends to comment and discuss. “Would you expect these results to appear when you Google women?” is the title of this article. It asks you to type in “women shouldn’t” or “women can’t” and see the results that appear on auto-complete suggestions. It is pretty shocking to see the gender bias toward women, as I see the results that appear. When I type in Women shouldn’t, these three topics show up on auto-complete; Women shouldn’t work, Women shouldn’t run, and Women shouldn’t wear pants.  I also typed in Women Can’t in Google search, and these four shocking topics appeared; Women can’t have it all, Women can’t drive, Women can’t vote, and Women can’t live with them. Google offers these suggestions based on the popularity search that many people type.

I just feel it is very discriminating against women because it does show we are still stuck in these stereotypical roles that will never change.  Women can’t drive and can’t vote is a perfect example of gender discrimination.  Where is the respect we deserve? 

Two ad agencies known as Ogiilvy and Mather Dubai made a powerful ad shown in the article, which had been recognized by Adweek. It presents a headshot of cultured women with their mouths covered as a search engine.  Several gender bias topics toward women appear, as it would show up in a search engine on Google. 

I believe the ads are extremely powerful because they display a powerful message. Below the ad, they display a message of all of the things women should have the right to do and shouldn’t be perceived in a certain way. For instance, “Women shouldn’t suffer from discrimination anymore” and “Women should have the right to make their own decisions.” This is a great step to send out a message for people to become aware of these gender bias topics because Google is a search engine that many people use every day. It’s almost as if we are taking a step back from all of the discrimination, when we should be taking a step forward and respect women, as we have come a long way. 

Missrepresentation

                                                      Missrepresentation

Representation of women in the media is such a concerning topic of mine. We’re especially seen in advertisements which is exposed while were walking around in the city, watching TV, or shopping at a store.  It is seriously everywhere. But we’re not represented or treated the way we should be treated. Women are treated unfairly than men and most likely treated as sex objects in advertisements. 

When I first saw the movie Missrepresentation, I was in my social justice class. I immediately fell in love with the movie. In the movie, they gather inspiring leaders who have accomplished many succeeding things in life to prove to young women it is possible.  They display statistics in the movie that women make up 51% of the population, yet comprise of only 17% of congress. These statistics show that the media really shapes politics, our minds, and the emotions of children.   I was inspired by every aspect and message it displayed in the movie and was engaged in all of the possible concerns it can have on us women and young girls. As it really changes the emotions of children, Missrepresentation raises many concerns. It’s hard for girls to become these empowering successful women when they are constantly exposed to such sexual images. It shows in order to get what you want; you have to wear makeup, have a thin body, and wear fewer clothes. It becomes distracting to many young girls trying to focus on getting an education.

It greatly impacts young children by displaying a message in advertisements which shows it is important how you look. In the movie, a young student points out that there is absolutely no appreciation for women intellectuals. When you’re at school to learn, worrying about how you look becomes a major distraction for everyone.  I remember at an early age in school, I was too busy worrying about the way I looked. I can really relate to those girls because it became such a distracting concern of mine to prove I can look good. I struggled with my weight, worried about my makeup, and tried to keep up with the latest trendy clothes.  These images that are exposed to us at an early age really do impact young girls and it displays the wrong message.

One of the empowering leaders points out that we can shape the way media portrays women, but it depends on who is piloting the plane. Bringing awareness is important but also, educating younger girls more about advertisements in the media and how it misrepresents women in this industry will help shape the way society thinks. 

Glamorize Violence

          Apparently violence against women is a common trending theme in fashion photography. Sold in department stores this November, Nars Cosmetics is using an image above in their gift box collection that is completely degrading to women. The image includes a naked woman, who has her face down in the grass.  It is a little disturbing to see because her face looks a little damaged. It’s ironic to be using such violence in an image when you’re trying to promote beauty in a cosmetic line.

          The violent image was inspired from a well known photography named Guy Bourdin. He is actually famous for his disturbing images of abused women.  According to Temptalia.com, Nars founder, Francois Nars, found Bourdin’s work in French Vogue and immediately became inspired.

           It’s upsetting to see how women are being used in the fashion industry. How can a company or clothing line be high fashion because they display disturbing images of abused or dead women? Yet, many women support this industry by purchasing these products.  I am a little sensitive to see so many companies glamorizing violence. It shows that women are perceived as an object to use in images to promote clothes, cosmetics, shoes and other products. The concept is pretty much trying to sell people the products used on dead or abused women. It is completely unethical as it portrays women as sex objects and displays the wrong message to young girls who are exposed.  It only makes me think how many young girls are exposed to such disturbing images and the impact it could have on them at such a young age.  

          Do we really need to glamorize violence in this society, to sell a simple product used by women every day? Or can we change the way women can be perceived and promote beauty that doesn't draw the attention of violence?

Sex Sells?

 

We have all been exposed to it at such a young age. Whether you are walking down the street off of Michigan Avenue window shopping with your family, or driving down Interstate 90 glancing quickly at a billboard, advertisements are everywhere.  

I was walking to the blue line from class one day and came across an ad for Absolut Vodka. There was a woman standing at a bar in a tight dress. Now, to grab more attention to this ad, they  had to accentuate her cleavage and her butt. Most importantly, putting a couple guys in the ad staring at this woman like two predators trying to attack topped it all off. 

So, what exactly is the problem?  There are three beautiful people in this ad selling sex. These sexual images draw attention and interest in people that eventually make them want to purchase a product. Advertisers use sex, hoping it becomes an effective ad to sell their product. You cant escape from the sexist ads that are placed everywhere in the city.  We have absolutely no control. 

Women are portrayed as one thing in these "effective ads", a sexual object. We can see women with their cleavage displayed in the ads from Abercrombie and Fitch and Guess. We're just seen as an extra prop to grab attention from people. This affects our society today because in my opinion, it shows we're completely useless. It shows we are only good for sexual images.  It also creates self- esteem issues for young girls. Women don't look like the models in these advertisements but, it only shows young teens that this is the look you can achieve.
So, does sex really sell? or does it just create problems and issues in our culture that may impact women  and young teens?