CRLT101

One new word that attracted me was: Utilitarian. Utilitarian means designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. In context, this word was used like "Men's clothing must now be honest, comfortable, and practical rather than good looking.

Male Decorativeness in Cultural Perspective summarized: This section was about the difference between the way women and men dressed, as well as the difference between the way blacks and whites dressed. In the beginning of this section it was the difference between women and men. For example, on page 215 it says until the 14th century, men and women didn't dress differently. Now men's clothing must now be comfortable, while women's must be deceptive. The world has changed so much as far as clothing. Later in this section, it switched to the difference of class between men and women. Bordo brought up a great point about if you see a woman dressed "glamorously" walking a dog, you'll think that she's crazy. But if you see men dressed in tuxedo's, you'll think they're having a real serious conversation about business related stuff. Another point Bordo made is: Do you think joining elagance with violence is okay? For example, when we watch 007 and Transporter we look and say it's okay. Most females don't like violence and action movies but they love looking at the male actors. Further in this section, Bordo describes the way African-Americans dressed. The word "style" means to show-off what you've got. That's exactly what they did (during the slavery era). Back in slavery days, African American men and women dressed in the most colorful and vibrant colors for church. Whites didn't like their sense of dress and thought it was foolish, but now that's all you see. Walking down the street one would see several patterns and colors. So by the end of "Male Decorativeness in Cultural Perspective" Bordo explained both class and cultural perspectives of style and clothing choices.

Real Life Connector: From my dicussion, the real life connector had many examples. He said that you see men and women dressed in bright colors now. He also stated based on environments women and men dress differently.

Story Life Connector: Our story life connector connected this section to Wideman and Manhood in a Bottle.

Significant point: The illustrator made an interesting point, he said that not only are women interested in how they look, men are as well.

50 Cent Reebok Ad:

Surface Meaning: Rappers make a lot of money. This is what "real men" aspire to be, thuggish and surrounded by bling and shoes.

Intended Meaning: If you're a rapper, then you have the money to do whatever you want. This is the "great" benefits of being such. All men should want to be like 50 Cent, which means look hardcore.

Cultural Meaning: When the world sees males in such a way like this ad portrayed we automatically look down upon them, because we worry about where and how they got the money to do so. Most men who do dress and carry themselves like this are doing illegal activities. If a little African- American boy was to see this today and know nothing about other male roles he'd think this is how he is supposed to be. He'd think that is number one goal in life is to have huge muscles and have a lot of shiny bling and shoes. He wouldn't want to look/dress/act any other way.

Comparison between Ad and Video:

This ad is an exact replica of Manhood in a Bottle. The reason is because they said that you are only a man if you rock the latest fashion and bling. It's crazy because that is how most men view themselves and each other.

Advertisement One: Keep your Beauty on Duty!

Surface Meaning: Army Men. Logo. Men with guns. Women in different uniform then men. Women on phone. Women in make-up.

Intended Meaning: Their only objective is to stay pretty and don't worry about the duty of war.

Cultural Meaning: Women are not as important as males, because they are in different uniforms. Since title is keep your beauty on duty, women are portrayed as not hardworkers. Women are not allowed to hold guns, or really be apart of the Military.

Advertisement Three: Polo for Children

Surface Meaning: A girl around the age of 5. Different colors, and patterns. Long hair. Everything put together.

Intended Meaning: That girls should look pretty regardless of how young they are.

Cultural Meaning: This ad makes little girls look much older than they already are. If a little girl was to see this she'd think that's how she was supposed to look. Little girls are not supposed to wear make-up and such. This ad makes girls appear like they skipped out on their childhood. At the age of 5, a child shouldn't worry about how they look or what they wear. This ad is promoting kids to grow up too fast.

Advertisement Four: Make-Up and Women

Surface Meaning: Make-Up is everything to women. Women who wear make-up look nasty and attracts men for sex.

Intended Meaning: Women who wear make-up look so pretty and attractive. If you want to attract a nice looking guy you should wear make-up.

Cultural Meaning: If a female wear too much make-up then they appear like "hoes" or "sluts" not put together. These days, a female have to decide whether she is using either too little or too much. Based on television shows and movies, the women who wore a lot of make-up was not the smartest or was just being used for sexual pleasures.

Dear Dr. Hartman,

I really enjoyed today's class! Prior to today, I would be reserved in class discussions. Occasionaly I'll nod my head or read something (not much) from my daybook. But today sparked an interesting conversation. I felt really comfortable with discussing my opinions about the rap industry. I'm not a big fan of rap because of all the cursing and degradation of women. I liked how everybody had very strong opinions. But one of the many topics that we had a lot of different opinions about was: Why must a rapper only rap about who they would like to have sex with or who they want to kill next? My opinion is if they are supposedly not doing these acts, why are they rapping about it?! Bad thoughts lead to bad habits. Although I'm not a fan of rap, I'm a huge advocate of Hip-Hop. One may think that there's no difference between the two, but really there is a big difference. Hip-Hop is old school (the 90's period). Hip-Hop told stories. They talked about the drug life and the women, as if they were observing their communities. These days rap(s) do not tell stories. It talks about the crime and women, but they are participating in such activities. The following rappers have been in jail at some point in their career: T.I.,LIL WAYNE,50 CENT,PLIES,BIRDMAN,RICK ROSS,T-PAIN,LIL KIM,TRINA,JAY-Z,LIL BOOSIE,LIL JON,LUDACRIS,BIGGIE,TUPAC,SNOOP DOGG,DJ KHALED,DJ UNK,FABULOUS,GUCCI MANE,FAT JOE,YUNG JOC,YOUNG JEEZY,YOUNG DRO,DR.DRE,EMINEM,CASSIDY,JADAKISS. But yet they are "just rapping about day to day life". If that was the case they wouldn't have been sent to jail sometime during their career. If I was a parent in 2011, I wouldn't encourage my children to listen to rap. Another thing is that Hip-Hop was more for a general audience. Any age, gender, race, or class would enjoy Hip-Hop. Check out these lyrics from a very well known theme song that stills air on T.V. today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM5-i9NH0tM. These lyrics tell a simple story about a guy who was shipped to his relatives' house and he was rapping about it. These days you don't hear stories such as that. Here is another clear example of stories in Hip-Hop http://www.elyrics.net/read/s/slick-rick-lyrics/children_s-story-lyrics.html. This explains a boy who did one little thing that ultimately flipped his life upside down. In rap it's the other way around; rappers are rapping about the actions they already did. Another question that started a heated debate within my circle was: Why are more white people interested in rap? I asked this question because I was very curious. In "Birth of a Nation", whites did not want to act like blacks or do the things blacks were doing. But today, more and more whites are listening to well- known artists such as Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Drake, and Busta Rhymes, just to name a few. Some of my peers said whites are interested in it because they are not familiar with the crime, degradation of women, etc, and it is attractive to them. A lot of opinions were shared. One even said that more blacks are listening to country and/or rock&roll. I believe both is true because we want to explore other communities. Since neither race grew up with the other race's experiences, we're fascinated by it.

"You disgust me." "I regret having you as my daughter." "Who are you?." "Where did you come from?." "I should've listen to your grandma when she told me to have an abortion." "What do you see in girls?." "I rather you be with a guy than a girl."  These are all comments I've heard from my own MOTHER because of my sexuality. To hear this from your mother hurts really bad. I chose this topic because I know there are others who feel the same way. I know there are others who hear this constantly. I want to get the word out that homosexuals are just regular people. We have hearts and we have feelings.