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.

I thought the Axe/Dove campaign link quite interesting. To start, I personally do not take anything on the Axe commercials literally, but rather humorous. I find it thoroughly entertaining that women are seen as sexual objects ready to mate with anyone if they're wearing a scent such as Axe. However, at the same time I can see why critics are upset. To begin with, you children and even some teenage girls may find the Axe advertisements enlightening and attempt to follow the example it depicts with a young man. I thought it was even more alarming that both Axe and Dove are represented by the same advertising company yet they appear to be arch enemies. It did not surprised me to learn that the creator of this controversy works for campaigns with both companies and perhaps even had this entire confrontation planned ahead of time. While I do agree that Dove does an excellent job of portraying real beauty and a real women, it is conflicting for people who want to support Dove's campaign but are also indirectly profiting Axe. It takes a child or teenager of thorough understanding that the message depicted in the Axe commercials are not to be taken literally, but from a rather humorous approach

This week's readings were so interesting and so true!!! Don't even get me started, the Disney princess stereotype is pathetic! 90% of them are all white, skinny, vulnerable, and dependent on a man (cinderella, snow white, sleeping beauty, belle) and only recently have we seen a different race with princess Jasmine. Slightly off topic, I was watching TV last night and there was a commercial for DKNY watches and it showed a stunning woman rushing from her taxi cab and a sexy-looking man rushing from his own car. It appears that they are going to meet each other other, but then they ran past each other into the arms of a sexy man and woman. They then show the two women, obviously a homosexual couple, embracing, and the men holding hands if I remember correctly. The whole point of the ad was to say that with a DKNY watch, you won't be late for your date with that "someone special." But it was TOTALLY geared to the gay and lesbian community!! I thought this was relevant since we have been discussing this lately in class. Back to the Disney princesses and commercializing race, I think it's pathetic that Disney has so many stereotypical depictions of their female princesses. Even further, the Mickey Mouse Monopoly has dominated this industry making it virtually impossible to insert any other race depictions or representations. As a result, I think this is totally teaching our children only one dimension of a bigger picture. Little kids are taught to think that only pretty white girls can be princesses.

Both articles from the NY Times present debatable topics that are not easily answered. I thought the class discussion was very interesting in the sense that some people truly felt video games, music videos, hip hop and other forms of media truly had adverse effects on teenagers. I happen to strongly agree with this argument. After reading both articles, the chapters in the text for this week, and considering the discussions in class from last week, I really think there needs to be a change in certain types of media projections. Hip hop for one thing constantly portrays women as oriental flowers or brown sugar, while men are depicted as wealthy, controlling and they consider women to be sexual objects; nothing more. I really think that with continuous exposure to such images, as well as violent video games, the effects on teenagers are detrimental. Although this debate will continue to flourish until solid proof is available for either side, until then I hold my ground!