Here are two links to stories from this week's NYTimes, one with the headline "Protesting demeaning images in media" and the second titled "For clues on teenage sex, experts look to hip-hop."
The first article covers protests by the group "Enough Is Enough," a group of mostly black activists who are picketing in front of the homes of Viacom executives every weekend. The second article does a good job of questioning whether watching such videos has adverse affects on teens. As we've discussed in class, this is a tough question to answer, whether we're talking about video games, music videos or other media.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/arts/05enou.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/health/06well.html
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4 comments:
Protesters are exercising their rights of freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly. It is sad to note that we are still seeing many forms of racism in the United States. One wonders whether racism will ever come to an end or not. Is racism better now or getting worse than during the slave trade period?
Whoever is the creator of music videos should not be creating music videos that carry demeaning messages against any race. Whatever we can say on this board will not change anything, after all, who will hear us? Who will support our views?
It is crystal clear that there are still many people who like the so-called “race superiority.” Such group of people is still living behind because the contemporary world is now agitating for more diversity. Even in Europe, Asia and Africa, they are all calling for diversity, that is, having all races mingling together whether at work, in schools, colleges, universities and all other public places.
Those protesters will win the war of racism because they have the law on their side, and the world will support them. The majority of mankind is good regardless of race, gender and nationality.Music should be disseminating good messages to every age group. Music producers should be concentrating on producing music which is educational without demeaning or insulting any one or any race.
We should live in peace and love one another regardless of difference in racial origins. Moreover, no race is more superior than the other. We are all equal created by One God. Love is the only way to promote peace. Therefore, let’s go out and promote love and diversity.
In today's society, the hip-hop culture is steady on the rise. In my opinion, I don't believe that certain images or certain lyrics are going to cause someone to behave a certain way. Also, while these two articles are so focused on the effects of hip-hop towards the younger generation, what about all the sexual images and language that is portrayed day by day on regular television these days? I do understand that some hip-hop does contain vulgar language and images in the videos, but this doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to cause someone to behave a certain way. As long as the younger generation understands that what they see on tv and what they hear on the radio most of the time is for entertainment
purposes only, they'll be fine. I'm a huge fan of hip-hop and other music as well, but I'm intelligent enough to know to not base my ideas and standards about life on the images and music of hip-hop! My point is that I do agree that some of the images and lyrics do go too far, but it's unfair to say that these images and music is what is causing our problems in society, because if we look at everything that's going on in our society as a whole, we can realize that the portrayal of hip-hop is nothing compared to everything else that is going on today that is causing negative effects in our society.
Hip-hop videos does show women shaking their butts and have foul language. But not all is bad. I like to watch BET. In my opinion, women choose to show themselves in that light. If they want to shake their butt on camera then they have that choice. But it bugs me when the women that do that will complain about being disrespected and feels degraded. Well sweetie, you put yourself in that situation. But as far as influencing the younger generation, i don't really believe that it does to the extent of having them curse all the time and only see women as video hoes or just there for sex. They should have been taught that these videos are just for entertaining and that's it. People should know from reality and entertaining. But the vidoes does show women in bad light and at what cost. Just to be on tv of have a five second fame or just to say you met the artist. Fame is temporary, but self respect is always.
Hip Hop Culture and specifically the portrayl of women in the videos has become an outlet to beautify the ethnic womans body. I do feel that it has become risky and demeaning to women. However, Hip Hop is only a small part of what some may consider a negative influence on today’s generation. I believe that society as a whole has become corrupt and all music, TV programs, and daily living play a part in the shaping of lives; though real shaping starts in the home.
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