Cyberbullying PSA 

https://youtu.be/fZop8czfNyo 

Source:
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/stop-cyber-bullying-on-tumblr 

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/ 

Gender & Sexuality 

--determined through music videos--

What roles do the men in the music video play?  What roles do the women play?

Jason Derulo - Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)

       The man (Jason Derulo) is surrounded by half naked women throughout the whole video, as well as Ty Dolla $ign. There is even a part in the video where a girl is hanging from Jason Derulo "twerking" on him. The one women figure in the song, Nicki Minaj, is half naked and showing off her butt. The other women in the video are dancing in the water, sucking on lollipops, and dancing alongside the men. The video is basically just sexualizing women and making the men seem more dominant. 

Migos - Bad and Boujee ft Lil Uzi Vert

      The women in this video are more portrayed as sexy and expensive in my opinion. They are objectived as liking and wanting expensive things. Almost seen as too good for the guys in some scenes. The men, Migos, are mainly just sitting with the girls either drinking or smoking. It is clear that the women are there with the them though. 

Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

     This video is mainly consisting of Bruno Mars dancing at a party with half naked women surrounded by him. My take from it is that he is rich and throwing this party and all the other women are there for him, pawning for his attention. He is calling everyone over to party and be with him throughout the whole video. (to be honest I really hate Bruno Mars so this was tough for me to watch) 

Beyoncé - Sorry

     The women seem to portrayed as dominant and powerful in this video, which is the whole concept of the song. There are no males in the video and Beyonce is in some way trying to portray that we don't need men? They are still dressed very provocative but seem to be resembling more of a "girl power" message. 

When Is Too Much? 

Women are "hoe's" anyway 

       It is easy in society today for a man to be viewed as some amazing guy if he hooks up with a lot of girls or always has girls flocking to him. But when roles are reversed and it is a women who is seen as that she is automatically deemed a slut. It doesn't matter if there are actions being made to have her viewed as that or not, it is just simply how it is in society today. What has made it even worse is the influence of pop culture. Today you are only seen as sexy and beautiful if you are taking your clothes off for everyone to see, even worse the influence of music has made this even more of a thing. Many hip hop artists today constantly are coming out with songs that degrade women as well as label them all as "hoe's" or "bitches". When looking for songs that portray this image the one that really was screaming all of this was "Cut Her Off" by K Camp (ft. 2 Chaniz). The song already begins degrading women with the title of "Cut Her Off", then when you hear the intro of the song he begins rapping "it aint nothing to cut that bitch off". Simply stating that all women are "bitches" and men have no problem dropping them. These few lines could influence young men to do this and sadly we do see this. From getting a girl pregnant & leaving them with all the responsibility to cheating on a girl while dating them. Not only is the song labeling that those actions are okay it is also stating that the girl who he is rapping about also has another man that she is dating as well. Continuing the label that all girls are sluts. The song also portrays dominance over females with these three lines, "If I don't like that he, I turn her ass into a frisbee, If I don't like yo diss, I turn her ass into a frisbee, I throw that, I don't own that, right by the windie", he is basically stating that if he doesn't like or agree with something she does he has the right to do whatever he wants to her. As well, as saying that she is nothing to him because he can "throw that, I don't own that". As a women those lines make you feel objectified and as if you are nothing, making ones self worth go down. When going on to watching the music video for this song it had many images of girls, from what it looked like, yelling at K Camp in the music video as he was just ignoring them. Women are seen as being clingy, crazy, etc. and thats exactly what this video is portraying to make it seem even more true than everyone already thinks, therefore he can just "cut that bitch off". Songs like these are allowing most men to keep treating women as they do & subjecting them to be known as sexual images. We as women are allowing this to be okay, one by participating in the music videos and two listening to these songs. As a women myself I do partake in listening to these songs just because of the popularity & never really take time to listen to the actual message. If we all step aside to see what many of these songs are saying about us, there may be some potential change created. 

Cut Her Off by K Camp (ft. 2 Chainz) 

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

So what you saying ho?

You know I'm the man ho?

Nothing but a bird I'mma leave you where you stand, ho

Heard you got a man ho

Hope he understand though

You ain't nothing but a creeper, I'm just saying, though

Saying, though

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

Creeping on the low, hope your man don't see ya

She will bust it down for some damn Lime-A-Ritas

Chew me like some bubblegum, something like Rasheeda

Gotta get my partner some, she on me like Adidas

Baby, you can't hold back, stop flexing like you not

Your man tryna patrol that I guess he is a cop

But he really can't cuff if he busting at my spot

But I done had enough cause you making my shit hot

Blowing up a nigga phone, what I tell yo ass 'bout that?

Tryna hold something, hold my nuts, can you do that?

Can you play around with that mouth while he hit it from the back?

You can't say nothing now 'cause we all been through with that, through with that

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

So what you saying, ho?

You know I'm the man, ho?

So what you saying, ho?

You know I'm the man, ho?

You know that ain't a real bad bitch: that's a knock off

When I get the whoop I get the joog and like hassawn

Outdoor, cool in front, hit it from the back, rearrange and lace front

Stuntin', tattoos on my neck and on my kidneys

If I don't like that he, I turn her ass into a frisbee

If I don't like yo diss, I turn her ass into a frisbee

I throw that, I don't own that, right by the windie

Three cell phones an all f them jumpin'

I can see yo hoes and all of the nothin'

Yeah, I'mma don, don Cheeto, don Cornelius, watch me spill

Pockets full like don Corlacino, nigga, done deal

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

So what you saying, ho?

You know I'm the man, ho?

So what you saying, ho?

You know I'm the man, ho?

Baby I'm ashamed, why you acting this way?

If she 'bout that action, you can bring her this way

Hit her on yo mattress, make you feel some type of way

Pass her to my migos, they gonna bust it, ¡Andale!

Please don't play no games 'cause I know that's what you like

Knock it out the frame, baby girl, it's alright

Yeah that pussy bomb, I just call it dynamite

You ready? Here I come, I can do this shit all night

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

So what you saying, ho?

You know I'm the man, ho?

Nothing but a bird, I'mma leave you where you stand, ho

Heard you got a man, ho

Hope he understand, though

You ain't nothing but a creeper, baby I'm just saying though

Saying though

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

It ain't nothing to cut that bitch off

https://youtu.be/M37HHf099oM  

Images through our lenses 

        When scrolling through many many advertisements containing powerful images the one that I just couldn't get off my mind was this particular ad from Burger King. The ad is an image of a girl with her mouth wide open getting ready to eat the sandwich. More importantly in big letters it reads "It'll Blow Your Mind", stating exactly the way they feel towards women and how they think society portrays them. It is aimed to draw you in because of the sexual appeal it contains. Which is the opposite creating an image for women that we as women have been trying to remove. This ad is amongst many others ads that portray this imagery.

     The Image I have chosen for journalist images is Richard Drews image of the Falling Man from September 11. This image creates a sense of various emotions, at first look I am shocked to see what is going on but then I am deeply saddened. The image portrays the feelings of many on that day and shows the effects this tragedy had on many.

Toxic Sludge? 

       When researching the many legislations that are being proposed or have currently been passed the one that caught my eye the most was the "INSPIRE Women Act". This bill was first introduced on January 3, 2017 and was eventually passed on February 28, 2017. The main sponsor of this act was Barbara Comstock, a representative of the U.S. Congress Virginia's 10th District. She is a known republican and from what it seems has been trying to get her name known since 2000. She has been a strong advocate behind science and technology which explains her involvement with the passing of this bill. The reason I chose this bill was because it sways away from the negativity from many others and the idea behind it is to "inspire women', as well this bill has no funding behind it. Many of the other bills are funded by power hungry leaders and have many intentions behind them being passed. 

Here is the link providing all information for this bill: 

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr321 

FAKE NEWS: 

       The topic of what news is today is a very controversial subject between many. It is being stirred up because of the fact that Donald Trump seems to claim that many things that are said about him is "fake news". I personally do not watch much news because of this fact, you never know what is true. I have found myself in the past to believe many ideas portrayed in the media that ended up being completely false. Which led me to give up hope in believing what many people say. Today I see that more and more news articles are beginning to step outside the box and challenge our political leaders. There are still many cases where journalists are still deemed to follow what their publishers want and decide to not step outside of the box. When looking through multiple articles I found there to be a lot of more challenging articles than I thought. Obviously given the many angered U.S. citizens lately this makes more sense. Given the recent news about Trump wanting to removing the gender neutral bathroom there were many pieces written challenging his character and many others. I found one piece to stick out most to me because it was written through a young transgender opinion. He made claims of his feelings and the harm that is being done to those who are trans ever since Trump was elected into office. I think to have a journalist publish through a young boys perspective and challenge authority is that much more powerful. 

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gavin-grimm-transgender-students-trump-administration_us_58ae0260e4b057efdce8b1de?section=us_education 

JOYSTICK WARRIORS 

When thinking of the connection between violence and video games I am on the fence. There are arguments that participating in the violent video creates violence in the real word and a more want for them but from what I have witnessed from my brother and friends that I have who play violent video games, I have not seen this. My brother was not aloud to play these types of games until he was 13 because of the graphics and violence, when he began playing these games I did not witness an increase in aggressive behavior. In fact, I think he was more rough with others when younger. 

I did some research and there were many articles that were pros and cons of these beliefs but one that stuck out to me was "Violent Video Games Create Aggression, but Do They Cause Kids to Commit Crimes?"  by Giovanna Albanese Jr. It listed different psychological studies that each had different results. One study stated that there is no real single risk factor that leads to violence, it is a build up. For instance when interviewing school shooters they stated a list of illnesses that the shooter carried, as well as participating in violent video games. This links to my view on violent video games, I think you should know who your kid is as a person and what age you allow them to engage in these games 

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/violent-video-games-create-aggression-but-they-do-cause-kids-to-commit-081415#3 

"What is "happy violence?"  Describe it in your own words. 

What are some examples of happy violence from movies or television that you've seen recently?  Provide examples and share links (or images or screenshots).  Why are these examples of happy violence?  How do they make violence glamorous or humorous?"

       To me, happy violence is what everyone watches on TV or in movies whether they know they are or not. It is suspenseful, ineffective to ourselves, and will always end with something good happening to someone. We love to watch it because it rises suspension within ourselves and does justice at the end. When thinking about happy violence shows or movies that I watch there happens to be a lot. The main TV shoes would have to be Criminal Minds, Sons of Anarchy, Law and Order SVU, and Stranger Things. They all are suspenseful, people die, and good things happen to the good people. With movies the main ones I love are all of the Marvel series, The Town, and Star Wars. The story lines keep me interested as well as make me cringe at times. They make it seem okay because justice is always served at the end of it all so the bad things that happen are always put to bed. I have grown up watching movies likes these and will always have an interest because of the thrill within them. 

Who owns the Media? 

• When looking through the owns what media company I decided to look at the top 3 I use; Apple (because of my phone and my laptop), CBS (a lot of the shows I watch are on this channel, and Time Warner (this is my cable company). One thing that I noticed they all had in common was that all their revenue was at least in the billions. Not only are they filthy rich, they all own major networks that I watch mostly everyday. All three of them happen to be the major media tech companies, which makes sense regarding the fact that these are main sources because they have enough money to draw people in and make you want to watch or use their products. 

 "How might the "Allegory" help us understand media and media influence?" 

Plato's Allegory of the cave is all about escaping this dark place that we are in. These "prisoners" have spent their entire existence in this cave thinking that these shadows they are seeing is their actual reality.  They are chained down to the floor, with no escape route given to them. In their minds, this is their only existence and there is no way out. This idea of only being trapped in this cave with only one real sense of reality, is just what media does to us today. We read things, watch things, and see things on the internet or TV everyday that sways our views to only be one way. We automatically believe it because it was in the media, so it must be true. Just like there shadows are the only reality they know, the medias influence is the only influence or knowledge we know when we consume our everyday lives in it. It wasn't until the one prisoner learned how to escape and discover the world, he became known of the real reality and what is really out there. Once we as people are influenced or encouraged to look beyond the media, we are able to see what is really going on out in the real world. Therefore, we're able to form our own opinions and not ones that are pressed onto us. 

(Here is my shitty drawing of the cave, aka the dark hole)