[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/28066212[/vimeo]I have to be honest with you – I’m tired of seeing blog post after blog post depicting the fallacies of the media. I’m tired of reading about sexism, objectification, and disrespect. I’m tired of feeling hopeless about the state of gender representation in the media. Luckily, Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s new, edgy documentary Miss Representation… Continue Reading →
Hair today, gone tomorrow: the politics of reality TV makeovers
A woman’s hair is said to be her crowning glory, her beauty. For young women, hair is not only about beauty but individuality, style, and personality. But what happens when a woman is forced to drastically change her hair style with extreme color, hair extensions, or the ultimate “big chop”? Despite the real video… Continue Reading →
“Slip into a size sassy” and other bad advice from Special K
Some businesses relish in funny, clever, and creative advertising. They take pride in their wit and ability to connect with consumers, making them feel connected to and appreciated by the brand. In short, they have respect for the people they hope will come out and buy their products. Using that reasoning, Kellogg’s may not fall… Continue Reading →
Raising the bar on bouncing back after baby
As a mom to two small kids with limited time for my own fitness regime, very little gets my goat (and by that I mean pisses me off) more than gossipy reports on how fast today’s celeb mommies drop baby weight. Sure, a small part of it is jealousy. I’ll fess up right now to… Continue Reading →
Australia takes action with the inaugural Positive Body Image Awards
It took two years, but it’s finally here! The Australian Government will be rewarding media, fashion and advertising outlets that promote realistic and natural images, healthy weight models, and a diverse range of body shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. Back in 2009, I wrote about the National Advisory Group on Body Image, a group that included… Continue Reading →
The Tides are changing — aren’t they?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9LTRbWsGOI&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]Cleaning product ads have an infamous rep in the feminist world for adhering to age-old gender stereotypes. Commercials featuring men doing laundry, the dishes, or cleaning house are few and far between. Commonly aimed at a middle-aged audience, these ads are disturbing – but when their sexist stereotypes directly reference young girls, their disturbing factor… Continue Reading →
Fair or Not? The Snow White Complex
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrd7SV5MAFw&feature=player_embedded#![/youtube] I love this documentary from filmmaker M. Hansa M. about how Eurocentric standards of beauty have become prominent across the globe, and how those beauty standards promote and exacerbate sexism and racism. In just eleven minutes, “Fair or Not?” addresses the many connections between racism, sexism, colonialism and exoticism, painting a clear and troubling… Continue Reading →
A media juggling act
When I read about media multi-tasking, or the act of using multiple screens at once, my mind jumped to a vision: a child watching the images of an advertisement on a muted television screen–“dial this number for weight loss supplements!”—while hearing a commercial between songs on Pandora—“stop by for our new double bacon Hawaiian burger”—while… Continue Reading →
Pixar goes “girl power” with Brave
Almost a year before its release, we’re already hearing about Brave, Pixar’s lucky thirteenth animated film to be released on June 22, 2012. And — the big news — it’s their first to feature a female protagonist. Set in the 10th century in the Scottish highlands, the film tells the story of a rebellious princess…. Continue Reading →