I have really enjoyed this class throughout the semester. I've learned the importance understanding how dangerous stereotypes can be, the hidden messages behind advertising in both commercials and print and the unfortunate fact that women are sexualized in the media. It was especially interesting to hear from all the different perspectives that everyone had and I particularly liked the discussion in the beginning of the semester about whether the terms black, white, African American or Caucasian is politically correct or not. I think the most crucial part of this class is to remember to take with me all that I have learned. After taking this class, I notice so much more when I view a commercial or print advertisement. Most recently I have seen an advertisement by Dolce and Gabana which perfectly emulates gay-vague advertising. I know had I not taken this class, the hidden messages in this commercial would have gone completely unnoticed.

I thought the presentations by the graduate students were very interested and covered extremely relevant topics. I particularly liked the study dealing with the depictions of females in music videos based on their dress and the role they play. I felt this group had a substantial amount of factual information to rely on and pieced together their project quite thoroughly. It was particularly interesting to see the trends in female depictions across the scheme ranging from country music to hip hop. This group's discussion regarding who is to blame for the roles placed on or about women really got the class thinking. I personally feel there is a combination of blame shared by both females, and the executives in the industry. These females are willing to be depicted as sexual objects, yet at the same time, music executives know the power of sexing sell and the immense profit it can bring. This is a very difficult topic to decipher, and this group did an excellent job of providing the facts.

Since doing my content analysis on infant and child advertising in print magazines I have noticed how much these children are sexualized in their poses, positioning, and objects they're holding. I conducted my content analysis through five different baby magazines, yet lately I have noticed the same trend through all magazines. Babies are regularly placed with their head near the groin of the adult they are featured with or they are repeatedly featured naked. Many babies are also photographed with sexual placement of object innocently being held by the child. Lastly, the photograph can be centered on the groin or buttocks of the baby. Although I am clearly not an expert in the field, I truly believe that there is a much greater impact on the viewers of these photographs than many consciously realize. Since it is already known that sexual depictions on TV and in print have a serious impact on teen and adolescent viewers. It is only a matter of time before the sexual depiction of babies is found to have an equally serious impact.

I thought last class session's You Tube videos of "A Girl Like Me" and "Slob Evolution" to be both interesting and alarming. To start, "A Girl Like Me" was disheartening to watch and really made me consider how African American women are viewed by non-blacks and blacks. The fact that several of the girls didn't like their natural hair type or the shade of their skin pigmentation was quite disturbing. These statements made me stop and consider the messages and depictions that the media and advertising world is sending to black youths. It is so important for anyone to be self confident and proud of their heritage. If something is counteracting these feelings, a thorough evaluation needs to take place. Secondly, the video of "Slob Evolution" although comical, had a very strong message. It is so true that humans never desire to their own natural progression and aging process on a magazine cover or billboard. Yet the depiction on the "Slob Evolution" video is a MUCH more accurate visual of a human than the rail thin models without any life left in their eyes. The saddest aspect of this entire situation is people prefer to view the attractive model's picture, regardless of the fact that no one physically resembles such people.