Crash is a film about ethnic identities, and how every race is subjected to racism.
The film follows the lives of tweleve main characters, who are show in pairs, over the course of two days in Los Angeles. The two police officers, one who is openly racist (Matt Dillion), pulls over a couple who are driving because of thier behaviour, and frisks the women (Thandie Newton) while her husband (Terrence Dashon) stands by helpless. The other police officer ( Ryan Phillippe) thinks that he toehr poilce officer is out of order, but cannot do anything to stop it. however, despite audeince preconcived ideas about these two police officers, we later find out that they are wrong, which can be seen when Dillion character saves Newton's character the next day, while Phillippe's character shots a young black man after a misconception that he was going to shot him.
Two of the other characters, two young black men who steal cars, are also subjected to changes of behaviour. one of them happens to be the man which is shot by the police office, can be seen as the more repremanded of the two, and can be seen as one who follows the others comands. we also find out that his brother is a police office as well. the otehr character (Ludacris) is seen as the more openly angry character, and blames society for his criminal ways. however, in one of the vans which he steals, he finds a group of Asia immigrants, when he is offered money for them, he sets them free, suggesting that he knows right form wrong.
the film deals with issues of prejudice and shows how people judge people because of what they have seen in the media. such is the case when the major and his wife (Sandra Bullock) are carjacked, by the two young black men above, and the wife order the locks be changed. when she sees it is a latino, she orders they be changed again, as she feels he will give a copy of the key to gang memember and rob the house.
i enjoyed this film, and felt it highlighted images which have been discussed in recent weeks of the modules, espeically in connection with week 8's readings and lecture.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Week 10- G.I. Joe Action Figures
for this weeks blog task, i have chosen to look at G.I. Joe dolls. I think G.I. Joe dolls are quite unique, as they are aimed at boys, and dolls are considered "girls toys". These dolls use images of gender to market their products. The products which can be bought include the dolls or "action figures" themselves, as well as accessories for the action figures to enhance the childs game.
G.I. Joe's are considered the boy's toy version of Barbie. However, the difference between the two is quite significant. While the Barbie's show images of women as carer's and career women, G.I. Joe's depict images of war and violence. The different images protrayed suggest different gender roles and suggest that girls and boys should act differently.
The G.I. Joe dolls also encourage violence, as some of the accessories include guns.
http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/default.cfm?page=toys
G.I. Joe's are considered the boy's toy version of Barbie. However, the difference between the two is quite significant. While the Barbie's show images of women as carer's and career women, G.I. Joe's depict images of war and violence. The different images protrayed suggest different gender roles and suggest that girls and boys should act differently.
The G.I. Joe dolls also encourage violence, as some of the accessories include guns.
http://www.hasbro.com/gijoe/default.cfm?page=toys
Sunday, May 27, 2007
CRASH
Crash is a film that follows the lives of a variety of ethnic characters over a 24 hour period whose stories intertwine and “crash” into one another. Director Paul Haggis connects their lives through luck, coincidence and violence. The characters from a variety of backgrounds and social classes speak their minds and don’t hold back on voicing their views and acting upon their prejudice views of other people.
I found this film very thought provoking as no character is all bad or purely good the actions and reactions of each characters in turn influence later reactions in the other characters. Roger Ebert believes that Crash “ presumes that most people feel prejudice and resentment against members of other groups, and observes the consequences of these feelings.” I believe that Haggis is in fact not presuming that most people feel resentment but that with immigration continuously on the rise that this resentment is continuously growing and becoming more of a problem in today’s society.
I feel by Crash portraying seemingly bad characters as good people it shows a true representation of human nature that nobody is truly good or bad. It also allows you as a viewer to empathise with why people can feel resentment towards different people.
I am not saying that by watching Crash it is going to make you a better person but it may make you question your own beliefs and opinions.
I found this film very thought provoking as no character is all bad or purely good the actions and reactions of each characters in turn influence later reactions in the other characters. Roger Ebert believes that Crash “ presumes that most people feel prejudice and resentment against members of other groups, and observes the consequences of these feelings.” I believe that Haggis is in fact not presuming that most people feel resentment but that with immigration continuously on the rise that this resentment is continuously growing and becoming more of a problem in today’s society.
I feel by Crash portraying seemingly bad characters as good people it shows a true representation of human nature that nobody is truly good or bad. It also allows you as a viewer to empathise with why people can feel resentment towards different people.
I am not saying that by watching Crash it is going to make you a better person but it may make you question your own beliefs and opinions.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Week 12 - Anti-Americanism and society
For the final blog, I chose to look at views of Anti-Americanism and how these have affected society. I thought it would be interesting to adapt views on Fight Club to this issue, as the book can be seen as a form of Anti-Americanism in itself.
Anti-Americanism is very much an issue that affects the USA today, as there are always people who want to adapt their own views to that of their country, and often these views are not supported, leading to a hatred of their country. Then there are those who believe that the country has distanced itself so far from the founding traditions and morals that it is no longer the country it claims to be.
Images of Anti-Americanism often dominate politics and society, and they are often used as propaganda against the present leadership at how far they have changed the country to something people believe it shouldn't be. One example of this would be the war in Iraq, where many people believe that this was a mistake after the actions taken.
Fight Club is a good example of Anti-Americanism, as it can be seen as a method of people venting their frustration at their own life, and often society, and finding a way to take it out. The need for something to entice their boring everyday lives has now grown to the point that Fight Clubs have actually begun forming around the country. This is strange as the whole concept of Fight Club was that it wasn't a real entity. However, this does show how desperate some people have become in that sense.
The notion of a 'Fight Club' allows people to vent their frustration at their lives and indeed in some cases their country, showing the unrest that still lies in a country that supposedly offers 'every opportunity' to its public. It will be interesting to see whether issues such as these develop to a more high-scale, high-publicity level, and whether this will create unrest.
Ed
http://www.trfc.tv/menu.html
Anti-Americanism is very much an issue that affects the USA today, as there are always people who want to adapt their own views to that of their country, and often these views are not supported, leading to a hatred of their country. Then there are those who believe that the country has distanced itself so far from the founding traditions and morals that it is no longer the country it claims to be.
Images of Anti-Americanism often dominate politics and society, and they are often used as propaganda against the present leadership at how far they have changed the country to something people believe it shouldn't be. One example of this would be the war in Iraq, where many people believe that this was a mistake after the actions taken.
Fight Club is a good example of Anti-Americanism, as it can be seen as a method of people venting their frustration at their own life, and often society, and finding a way to take it out. The need for something to entice their boring everyday lives has now grown to the point that Fight Clubs have actually begun forming around the country. This is strange as the whole concept of Fight Club was that it wasn't a real entity. However, this does show how desperate some people have become in that sense.
The notion of a 'Fight Club' allows people to vent their frustration at their lives and indeed in some cases their country, showing the unrest that still lies in a country that supposedly offers 'every opportunity' to its public. It will be interesting to see whether issues such as these develop to a more high-scale, high-publicity level, and whether this will create unrest.
Ed
http://www.trfc.tv/menu.html
Week 11 - Crash
For this weeks blog task a review of the movie 'Crash' had to be published. The movie, which won 3 Oscars, was critically acclaimed by many movie critics, but on the contrary there were also some negative reviews, with people believing the movie to be just another film about the things wrong with certain areas of the USA, in this case L.A.
The movie focuses around supposed everyday occurences in Los Angeles, and how people find their lives intersecting with one another and how events that unfold affect each individual's life in unexpected ways.
The film has an obvious task in addressing the situation regarding racism in the United States. This is shown by not only the two black actors and their roles in the film, as gangsters, but also by how the ways of American society has warped one cop's views of what is right and wrong. The movie works well in showing how people go from one extreme to another in their everyday lives. Evidence of this is shown through many characters. The issue of trust in one addressed in every storyline in the movie. Perhaps the most prominent ones are that of the Senator's wife, played by Sandra Bullock, where after one event such as a car-jacking at gunpoint, her trust in all people who are not white and American is strained severely, shown through her mistrust of the Latino man who fixes her house door. The same man is shown mistrust due to race again, albeit with previous circumstances affecting the shop owner's judgement, but this issue is looked at closely throughout the whole movie, and seems to present the notions that many people may believe, but are too afraid to say themselves.
It is easy to see where the film attracts criticism, with overemphasis at times on certain issues, such as race, and how it can be seen to be 'just another PC movie'. However, where this movie shines is through its ability to present very relevant issues through not necessarily extreme views, but views that need to be expressed in order for people to take notice that these things do actually happen today.
Ed
http://www.nycfilmcritic.com/display_film.php?id=161
http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=314
The movie focuses around supposed everyday occurences in Los Angeles, and how people find their lives intersecting with one another and how events that unfold affect each individual's life in unexpected ways.
The film has an obvious task in addressing the situation regarding racism in the United States. This is shown by not only the two black actors and their roles in the film, as gangsters, but also by how the ways of American society has warped one cop's views of what is right and wrong. The movie works well in showing how people go from one extreme to another in their everyday lives. Evidence of this is shown through many characters. The issue of trust in one addressed in every storyline in the movie. Perhaps the most prominent ones are that of the Senator's wife, played by Sandra Bullock, where after one event such as a car-jacking at gunpoint, her trust in all people who are not white and American is strained severely, shown through her mistrust of the Latino man who fixes her house door. The same man is shown mistrust due to race again, albeit with previous circumstances affecting the shop owner's judgement, but this issue is looked at closely throughout the whole movie, and seems to present the notions that many people may believe, but are too afraid to say themselves.
It is easy to see where the film attracts criticism, with overemphasis at times on certain issues, such as race, and how it can be seen to be 'just another PC movie'. However, where this movie shines is through its ability to present very relevant issues through not necessarily extreme views, but views that need to be expressed in order for people to take notice that these things do actually happen today.
Ed
http://www.nycfilmcritic.com/display_film.php?id=161
http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=314
Week 10 - Consumer Culture and Identity in the USA
For this weeks blog I chose to look consumerism in the United States and how it creates an identity within the mainstream American market. A good example of this is the marketing of the "Barbie" doll product, and how this has adapted to commercialism and also political correctness. Barbie was released before any such issues were as prominent in the public eye as they are today. However, like most products, it has had to develop with "the times" and make sure every issue is addressed correctly.
The website I found looks at how Barbie has developed from the supermodel look to, as of May 1st 2000, 'Presidential Barbie'. The original blone haired, blue eyed Barbie doll is a rare commodity nowadays. Since its release, the 'Barbie' brand has issued dolls with varying hair colour, then different race, and now, along with the ever increasing issue of equal rights for women, a Presidential Barbie, which could perhaps be more of a ploy for Hilary Clinton's Presidential campaign than some might think.
Over the years Barbie has come to echo how society has adapted to political correctness, and in turn tried to plug itself to all areas of society. An example could be the issue of Ken, who was included in order to present a family image, trying to show perhaps the perfect image of American life.
Ed
http://www.alternet.org/story/9064/
The website I found looks at how Barbie has developed from the supermodel look to, as of May 1st 2000, 'Presidential Barbie'. The original blone haired, blue eyed Barbie doll is a rare commodity nowadays. Since its release, the 'Barbie' brand has issued dolls with varying hair colour, then different race, and now, along with the ever increasing issue of equal rights for women, a Presidential Barbie, which could perhaps be more of a ploy for Hilary Clinton's Presidential campaign than some might think.
Over the years Barbie has come to echo how society has adapted to political correctness, and in turn tried to plug itself to all areas of society. An example could be the issue of Ken, who was included in order to present a family image, trying to show perhaps the perfect image of American life.
Ed
http://www.alternet.org/story/9064/
Review of "Crash"
“Crash” Directed by Paul Haggis”
“Crash” is a film of many layers, layers which we the audience see link and eventually come together. It starts and ends within a twenty four hour time period and follows twelve characters as they live their lives in Los Angeles. “Crash” focuses in on racism without any reservations or apologises and projects it as an issue which is not only a factor in these people’s lives but is the factor. From all angles we see what it is like to be a victim and to be the one who is indeed the racist. The way in which writer and director Paul Haggis plays the game of film making makes the viewers and critics not only understand but almost empathise with why these people are being racist.
But as citizens from a modern society we must ask ourselves if that is right? Should we be doing that? Surely any racism is wrong? Haggis raises these questions throughout his film but I am just not entirely sure is he ever actually answered them. The situations he put the characters in are verging beyond unbelievable which doesn’t exactly help with his desperate plea for realism.
By the end of film you are left with a rather strange taste in your mouth - one in which you just can't quite recognise. We are faced with confusion about whether Haggis ever intended his film to be about racism or if it is merely by pure chance.
I am sure that we will never really know which is sad as I guess we will never truly understand this film.
“Crash” is a film of many layers, layers which we the audience see link and eventually come together. It starts and ends within a twenty four hour time period and follows twelve characters as they live their lives in Los Angeles. “Crash” focuses in on racism without any reservations or apologises and projects it as an issue which is not only a factor in these people’s lives but is the factor. From all angles we see what it is like to be a victim and to be the one who is indeed the racist. The way in which writer and director Paul Haggis plays the game of film making makes the viewers and critics not only understand but almost empathise with why these people are being racist.
But as citizens from a modern society we must ask ourselves if that is right? Should we be doing that? Surely any racism is wrong? Haggis raises these questions throughout his film but I am just not entirely sure is he ever actually answered them. The situations he put the characters in are verging beyond unbelievable which doesn’t exactly help with his desperate plea for realism.
By the end of film you are left with a rather strange taste in your mouth - one in which you just can't quite recognise. We are faced with confusion about whether Haggis ever intended his film to be about racism or if it is merely by pure chance.
I am sure that we will never really know which is sad as I guess we will never truly understand this film.
Week 8 - Multi-Cultural America
For this weeks task I found an article on the website www.salon.com, and a contrasting view on the same article from the FOXnews website. The subject from the articles received high publicity due to the person in question being a Republican Presidential candidate in the upcoming 2008 US Presidential Election. The article received such publicity as Tommy Thompson, the man in question, caused social uproar by suggesting that a business could fire somebody for being gay. This was immediately addressed by equal rights campaigners, and I thought this article was interesting as it showed problems regarding such sensitive issues at high business levels.
Both articles mention the fact that Thompson retracted his comments as soon after the event as he could, blaming technicalities and misunderstanding of context for his comments. Both articles detail how Thompson used the ever-lovable phrase "I didn't fully understand the question", and both seem to be in favour of a retraction and apparent bemusal at why the comment was said in the first place.
FOXnews, a website with a heavy political theme, noted that the gaffe was sure to have an effect of Thompson's running in the 2008 campaign, but was unlikely to generate much furore with the general public, as many do not know he is running.
I found this article interesting because it shows the topic at hand is still very much an important political and social issue. I hope you find it interesting also.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/04/thompson/index.html?source=rss
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271896,00.html
Both articles mention the fact that Thompson retracted his comments as soon after the event as he could, blaming technicalities and misunderstanding of context for his comments. Both articles detail how Thompson used the ever-lovable phrase "I didn't fully understand the question", and both seem to be in favour of a retraction and apparent bemusal at why the comment was said in the first place.
FOXnews, a website with a heavy political theme, noted that the gaffe was sure to have an effect of Thompson's running in the 2008 campaign, but was unlikely to generate much furore with the general public, as many do not know he is running.
I found this article interesting because it shows the topic at hand is still very much an important political and social issue. I hope you find it interesting also.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/04/thompson/index.html?source=rss
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271896,00.html
Monday, May 21, 2007
Helen on Barack Obama
Senator Barack Obama (Illinois)
Barack Hussein Obama was born on August 4th 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Senator for Illinois and according to the U.S. Senate Historical Office, he is the fifth African American Senator in U.S. history. Also he is the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate. He was elected in November 2004 with a landslide 70% of the vote.
In February 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential Election Race. Recent polls of Democratic voters show him narrowing the gap with front runner Senator Hilary Clinton and media sources have called him "the first black person viewed as a possible winner." In campaign appearances, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as leading issues. He also believes America needs to act now on reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
If I were a voting citizen in America I would vote for him. I think he has powerful views and has a more realistic approach to what America has to do when it comes to the Iraq War and global warming.
Here is the link to his website, just in case you want to see more; http://obama.senate.gov/
Helen
Barack Hussein Obama was born on August 4th 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Senator for Illinois and according to the U.S. Senate Historical Office, he is the fifth African American Senator in U.S. history. Also he is the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate. He was elected in November 2004 with a landslide 70% of the vote.
In February 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential Election Race. Recent polls of Democratic voters show him narrowing the gap with front runner Senator Hilary Clinton and media sources have called him "the first black person viewed as a possible winner." In campaign appearances, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as leading issues. He also believes America needs to act now on reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
If I were a voting citizen in America I would vote for him. I think he has powerful views and has a more realistic approach to what America has to do when it comes to the Iraq War and global warming.
Here is the link to his website, just in case you want to see more; http://obama.senate.gov/
Helen
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Week 9 - 2008 Presidential Candidates
For this week's blog I chose to look at one of the most interesting, in my opinion, Presidential candidates for 2008. There has already been much publicity surrounding the upcoming 2008 elections, not least for some of the characters involved. The front runners have been grouped under various headings according to their individuality. For example, it has been noted that for this election there are some very different characters. There is a candidate of Mormon religion, but perhaps more interesting is the fact that the race has become much more open that now a woman and a black man are now serious contenders for the Presidency.
I chose to look at Barack Obama's campaign to become the next American President. I found it interesting that Obama has gained considerable interest for his campaign, and the possibility of a first black American President is a real likelihood. Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, and graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama then moved to Chicago to persue more community based activities, particularly involving the church (which would become a major factor in his Presidency campaign). Even though he experienced success at this level, Obama realised that in order to make a real impact on the community he would need to influence proceedings on a national scale. He therefore chose to persue a law degree at Harvard University, and graduated in 1991. There he became the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review. After his experiences, he chose to run for Illinois State Senate, where he served for 8 years, which eventually led him to his current position as candidate.
Obama has numerous policies as he looks to influence the American public's vote. He is fighting to strengthen American force overseas, create a healthcare system that works, meet America's energy needs and improve schools amongst other policies. Perhaps one of the most important and relevant ideas at this present time is his stance to end the war in Iraq. President Bush has been publically criticised over this issue numerous times, and Obama obviously hopes that the majority believe ending the war would be the best choice.
I think Obama is looking to introduce a lot of policies that would please the American public, but time and votes will tell whether his apparent inexperience in this field will lead him to fall to stronger opposition.
I chose to look at Barack Obama's campaign to become the next American President. I found it interesting that Obama has gained considerable interest for his campaign, and the possibility of a first black American President is a real likelihood. Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, and graduated from Columbia University in 1983. Obama then moved to Chicago to persue more community based activities, particularly involving the church (which would become a major factor in his Presidency campaign). Even though he experienced success at this level, Obama realised that in order to make a real impact on the community he would need to influence proceedings on a national scale. He therefore chose to persue a law degree at Harvard University, and graduated in 1991. There he became the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review. After his experiences, he chose to run for Illinois State Senate, where he served for 8 years, which eventually led him to his current position as candidate.
Obama has numerous policies as he looks to influence the American public's vote. He is fighting to strengthen American force overseas, create a healthcare system that works, meet America's energy needs and improve schools amongst other policies. Perhaps one of the most important and relevant ideas at this present time is his stance to end the war in Iraq. President Bush has been publically criticised over this issue numerous times, and Obama obviously hopes that the majority believe ending the war would be the best choice.
I think Obama is looking to introduce a lot of policies that would please the American public, but time and votes will tell whether his apparent inexperience in this field will lead him to fall to stronger opposition.
Week 9 - Senator Joe Biden
The polital figure I chose to research was Senator Joe Biden who represents Delaware, he is the longest serving Senator. Delaware is a Democratic state. I mainly saught information from his own site http://biden.senate.gov/. This site is very good for details on his life and his polital beliefs and aims.
Biden, one of four children was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He and his family then moved to Delaware when he was 10. He later went on to graduate from Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware and, in 1965, from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduated in 1968, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1969. In 1966, while in law school, Biden married his first wife Neilia Hunter. They had three children together. In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one child.
He has strong issues against Arms Control and Domestic Violence. Sen. Biden's landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law in 1994 and has has provided over $3.8 billion dollars to combat domestic violence and sexual assault nationwide. He also has very strong views on the prevention of drug use and to assist users to break the habbit. Other issues he stands for are Amtrak, Crime, Defense, Education, Environment, Energy, Health Care, Homeland Security,The War in Iraq and many more issues...
I would vote this politition, as we share similar views on all he stands for. Also being a Democrat, is another good reason of why I would vote for him, as I prefer their policies compared to the Republicans.
Biden, one of four children was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He and his family then moved to Delaware when he was 10. He later went on to graduate from Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware and, in 1965, from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduated in 1968, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1969. In 1966, while in law school, Biden married his first wife Neilia Hunter. They had three children together. In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one child.
He has strong issues against Arms Control and Domestic Violence. Sen. Biden's landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law in 1994 and has has provided over $3.8 billion dollars to combat domestic violence and sexual assault nationwide. He also has very strong views on the prevention of drug use and to assist users to break the habbit. Other issues he stands for are Amtrak, Crime, Defense, Education, Environment, Energy, Health Care, Homeland Security,The War in Iraq and many more issues...
I would vote this politition, as we share similar views on all he stands for. Also being a Democrat, is another good reason of why I would vote for him, as I prefer their policies compared to the Republicans.
Week 9-America in Red and Blue
For this week’s blog, I have chosen to look at Hillary Clinton. I choose her as I thought she would be the most interesting, having already been first lady. I looked at her website, http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1. When you first enter the website, it asks you to sign up to “team Hillary”, but this step can be skipped. Once on the website, you can look at videos of Hillary Clinton and speeches she has given. She seems like a good candidate, with political beliefs such as equal rights for same sex relationships, equal rights for women, stem cell research, and a belief in scientific advancements, policies which are completely opposite to George Bush’s.
I also looked at http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html, and found out a bit about her background. She was elected New York state senator on 7th November 200, and is the first First Lady elected to the US Senate and the first woman elected statewide in New York.
I also found an article on the Times online, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1719879.ece, which is less favourable to Hillary Clinton, and highlights some of the scandals she has been involved in the past, with reference to her autobiography.
I would vote for Hillary Clinton, as the policies and political beliefs I found she supported are ones which I believe in.
I also looked at http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html, and found out a bit about her background. She was elected New York state senator on 7th November 200, and is the first First Lady elected to the US Senate and the first woman elected statewide in New York.
I also found an article on the Times online, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1719879.ece, which is less favourable to Hillary Clinton, and highlights some of the scandals she has been involved in the past, with reference to her autobiography.
I would vote for Hillary Clinton, as the policies and political beliefs I found she supported are ones which I believe in.
Ethnic Commodity- Trash Talker Dolls
http://albino-rhino.com/TrashTalkers/TrashTalkDetail.html - Trash Talkers to buy
http://www.redhotcurry.com/views/trash_talker.htm - article on Trash Talker dolls
I have selected Trash talker dolls. These dolls are manufactured by JDK an American toy manufacturer and are aimed at the over 14s. However these dolls are marketed as being politically incorrect and offensive but 'outrageously funny' and a 'great gift' . They play on ethnic stereotypes to offend people and to cause people to buy them for their 'humour '. I personally find these dolls offensive and i agree with the linked article that they are basically playing on racist views and that the people that are buying them would have to be racist/ prejudice to find these dolls amusing.
The fact that these dolls have sold so well suggests that America and Europe still is plagued by rasicm and predujices. By the company adding that they are a big seller in the Gay community suggests to me that they are trying to give the people that find them offensive a particular group to be angry with, as personally i can see no reason to why these dolls would appeal more to this group or how the company would really know that they do. They are attempting to create attention negative or postive to sell their products.
http://www.redhotcurry.com/views/trash_talker.htm - article on Trash Talker dolls
I have selected Trash talker dolls. These dolls are manufactured by JDK an American toy manufacturer and are aimed at the over 14s. However these dolls are marketed as being politically incorrect and offensive but 'outrageously funny' and a 'great gift' . They play on ethnic stereotypes to offend people and to cause people to buy them for their 'humour '. I personally find these dolls offensive and i agree with the linked article that they are basically playing on racist views and that the people that are buying them would have to be racist/ prejudice to find these dolls amusing.
The fact that these dolls have sold so well suggests that America and Europe still is plagued by rasicm and predujices. By the company adding that they are a big seller in the Gay community suggests to me that they are trying to give the people that find them offensive a particular group to be angry with, as personally i can see no reason to why these dolls would appeal more to this group or how the company would really know that they do. They are attempting to create attention negative or postive to sell their products.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
week8- Multi-Cultural America
http://www.salon.com/weekly/fairies960729.html
this story is about "straight fairies", straight men who appear to be gay due to the way they act. i choose this story as i think it is similar to the metrosexual story we looked at for the seminar. i found it interesting to read, as the woman is speaking to a female friend, explaining the concept to her.
the second website i found is a magazine article in which the stroy is based in california, as with the salon story i chose. this story differs, as it describes gay marriage laws, which is similar to the story about same sex family values.
http://www.makezine.org/homos.html
this story is about "straight fairies", straight men who appear to be gay due to the way they act. i choose this story as i think it is similar to the metrosexual story we looked at for the seminar. i found it interesting to read, as the woman is speaking to a female friend, explaining the concept to her.
the second website i found is a magazine article in which the stroy is based in california, as with the salon story i chose. this story differs, as it describes gay marriage laws, which is similar to the story about same sex family values.
http://www.makezine.org/homos.html
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