Womedia

The most recent presentation dealt with the way in which women, particularly Black and Latina women, are portrayed in the media. I must confess that I often let the media's representation of women get to me...in the back of my mind I think that all Latina (/Spanish-speaking/looking) women are generally hot-tempered and sassy in a "spicy" kind of way. Similarly, although Black women exhibit a different kind of sassy-ness, I still think (as a result of the media's portrayal and influence) that they have huge attitudes and express themselves very dramatically. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Asian women are portrayed as quiet, coy seductresses, or "china dolls" who act shy and cute but are actually well-experienced sexual beings, or even predators.

Of course I feel like an idiot trying to explain this...I sound so racist! But I think it's just proof of our society's ongoing struggle against the media's influence. While I watch much less television than I used to, I still see advertisements and observe real-life situations that lead to stereotyping Latina/Black/Asian/Whatever women.

It was interesting to consider that the more races a woman in advertising, movies, television, etc. can "play," the more job opportunities she has and the more successful she becomes. Jessica Alba has played Black, Latina, and White roles and is famously successful. Same goes for Jennifer Lopez...truthfully, it was strange for me to really consciously consider the fact that Jennifer Lopez is Puerto Rican and not Black or White like the roles she often fills. Weird!

Our conversation about skin lightness or darkness was also quite interesting...it's so funny to think that very little women are actually happy with their natural skin tones. Since I've been abroad, I was aware of other women's desires to have skin and hair lighter than their natural color. In Greece, so many of the olive-skinned, dark-haired women dyed their hair bleach-blonde to look more "American" or "European." The most successful models and tv stars were blonde (fake or otherwise) with light, porcelain-looking skin. The whole thing seemed so crazy to me...I was thinking: "I'd kill for their beautiful olive-colored skin, darker hair, and bold features!" I think ethnic-looking women are so strikingly beautiful...I feel plain and boring next to them! While women overseas are lightening their skin and hair, women in the United States are killing themselves in tanning beds and having hair-dye or fake-tan catastrophes while attempting to make themselves look darker and exotic.

We're so messed up!