Hayes 1
Katrina Hayes
Professor Warren
ENC 1102
April 14, 2014
“Embrace
Yourself”
As
I sit and reflect on the film Miss Representation, I have come to the
conclusion that some things never change. For years women have
struggled to have their voices heard and to be treated as equal and have equal rights. The film has
many women of different races, shapes and sizes to speak on how they feel about the
matter. I can truly say the filmed opened my eyes.
In
the 1960s there was a movement called “feminism” or women’s liberation. Women wanted the same pay as men, and equal right in law.
Women wanted have a say about their families and whether or not they wanted to have one.
I was not born back then, but I can only imagine the things women went through. Even in
today’s society we are struggling; we are striving to fit in, in my opinion the media is the
blame. Every time you look at a magazine or television the women are super skinny
and they are flawless as if they woke up
that way. That has corrupted the minds of the younger
generation and now they are fighting to fit in amongst their peers and that’s sad. Our ancestors
fought for us to be equal and they set the standard for women to be an example to your children
and their children but now that is not the case.
In
the film it was said that from 2000-2010 the depression rate was increased
which is a sad thing. Most women are unhappy with their
appearance. It was said that, cosmetic surgery tripled 1997-2007. Just be happy with the real you,
some women actually lose their lives trying to keep up with others or to be that perfect women but nobody’s
perfect. A few years ago a lady at my church wanted to be a smaller size she
underwent the gastric surgery only to pass away a year later, she did not have a chance to be
herself in the “ideal” size she thought was right. She met the man of her dreams he accepted her
plus size, but she just wanted to fit in. The media and celebrities make it look so easy to get
surgery to enhance your body but, that is not for everybody. “Not everyone's a good plastic surgery
candidate” (Saether) In recent news a guy sued his wife for
having plastic surgery done and he won the case, all because their children were ugly, to me that
is senseless. Why did he marry her for looks or love?
The
film featured teenage girls talking about their struggles with the media’s message to be sexy or pretty that really effects our
younger generation. I can relate to them because as a teenager I struggled to fit in from
wearing makeup, dressing a certain way
all because I thought that’s what I needed to do to fit
in. Sometimes you just have to embrace yourself and find what makes you happy, and do what
is best for you. When the young girl was talking about her sister being teased at school that
touched me because, there are some cruel people in this world, they only bully others because
they are insecure about themselves. In the film they also said that 1 out of 4 women are abused
in a relationship, I can relate I was in one myself physically and mentally. The way the guy
treated me made me feel like I was worthless and I gained weight and became depressed. However, I
did eventually get away from him and learned how to love myself and embrace my weight.
Some music videos also have a big impact on
our young girls they think its okay to wear small clothes or no clothes at all to get
attention, that’s not the case. In addition, to that some of the lyrics are terrible. They exploit women
and young girls think it’s okay to repeat them or act out what they are saying and it’s shameful. :
“I think it’s important that across the media we are able to have a diverse portrayal of women of
all backgrounds. While there is a [lot to be said] for having a strong mind, if you only see one
image of who are you [supposed to be], then it can be quite a problem.” (Larasi) I don’t understand
why they look up to the video girls and think that’s the good life when really it’s not. I understand
that some women only do that to get exposure to launch their careers, then they want
people to respect them how can we take them serious when they like to exploit themselves. Some
reality shows also show the negative side of women, there are some grown women fighting each
other and tearing each other down. Some things has to change, then some people consider them
role models. Traditional role models of success have been those who
exhibit achievement in wealth, fame, status, beauty or by having climbed to the top of
some professional ladder. (Tsabar)
In my opinion, they are not the ideal role model for our young girls on the other
hand Oprah Winfrey and Mrs. Michelle Obama are ideal role models to me. They carry
themselves with class and poise and you will never hear about them exploiting themselves for the
media or to fit in.
Some
women need to learn to embrace the way God made them and set standards for themselves, don’t allow the media to set them for
you. Go above and beyond to achieve goals that are set and show the world we are more than
just an object . We are women and should be treated as such. A lady.
Not everyone's a
good plastic surgery candidate - By
Linda Saether
Music videos exploiting black women's
bodies
Campaigners
argue that representation is damaging young women’s self-esteem
Written
by Mary Isokariari with inserts by Ikamara Larasi, 24, of black feminist
Organisation
– The Voice http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/music-videos-exploiting-black-womens-bodies
11/11/2013
The Danger of Role Models:
A New Perspective
Shefali
Tsabary Become a fan
Clinical
Psychologist & Author, 'The Conscious Parent' and Out of Control - Why
Disciplining Your Child Doesn't Work and What Will'
