Course 3401 Blog

I too, like Graham, work with youth in the Memphis area and completely agree. Something has to change about media censorship. Not that everything is bad therefore nothing can be shown, yet we have to provide positive outlets for children to positive ideals about themselves. Media is, in my eyes, the number 1 destroyer of a joyful life. It has more power to dictate your life than any religion, government, or system, because its a means of entertainment.

Also I loved this class and the fact it challenged me so many times.

I really enjoyed this class. Have a great summer everyone and continue to learn throughout your life.

Jean Kilbourne's documentary, "Killing us Softly" came as no surprise to me. The media tells us who to be, how to act, and even how to dress. Ads are everywhere and they affect us even when we think they donâ??t. I like how she illustrated this point by explaining that we retain this information subconsciously. We may not think we bought a pair of Nike sneakers because Michael Jordon endorses them but subconsciously he has taught us this is whatâ??s cool. I find it scary to think of the detrimental effects of advertising. Presently the advent of digital video recorders on cable television has caused advertisers to take their impact much farther. Now they are implementing adds into the narratives of television shows and movies themselves. One example can be found in "White Castle" where a number of neighborhood punks endorse Mountain Dew as an extreme drink. This associates the drink with extreme sports. The world of media advertising is a scary place. I believe it threatens the American lifestyle as individualistic and free. We no longer have a individual identity. Rather, it is given to us through the media.

I'm not sure that if men could menstruate they would make it seem as if they were all tough, and act as if were awesome that they shed blood, because honestly, every time I've seen a grown man remotely sick, they are the biggest babies about it. Groaning, moaning, "not able to do anything," and sleeping. They just become worthless. So if men could menstruate I do not think they would handle it well at all, and women would get frustrated at the fact that their husbands have become their "sons" for a few days each month.

I work with high schoolers and the Memphis area, and Killing Me Softly hit the nail on the head when it come to high school girls. The media is slowly destroying the girl's mental images of themselves. You constantly hear from girls about how they need the new make-up, the revealing clothes, and the sexy attitude that they think guys want. Sadly, I have seen this destruction in the relationships that they are carrying on with the guys at their school, and the lengths they will go to with dieting, working out, or not eating at all. These girls want attention so badly that they are willing to date the guys who use and abuse them for just their looks and their personality plays no part in it what so ever. Guys are dirtbags, but are the men really to blame when the media and and our minds are filled with this nonsense of the "perfect woman?" Now the media is not an excuse for men's behavior and how to treat a woman, but you are what you listen to and watch, and we are seeing that evidence in Tough Guise and Killing Me Softly. Men see violent men, treating women terribly, and women see themselves as having to be the perfect woman in order to get the perfect guy. The media/advertising just sucks.

I portend that â??maybeâ?? â?? just maybe - men should have to menstruate. Maybe if men had to release their own blood monthly for 3 or more decades they might just possibly not want to shed othersâ?? blood so easily â?? in particular starting wars, domestic violence, etcâ?¦ At no time during the history of mankind do I recall of women starting a war - even in our current male dominated Congress.

On a related note: Just last evening here in Memphis an African American male lost his life (blood shed) in some kind of love triangle related incident. Yeah just maybe men should have to bleed on the regular...just saying

This class, as a whole, was very interesting and insightful. Many college students these days believe what they have been taught their entire lives, therefore not forming their own opinions on topics. I thoroughly enjoyed this class because Ms. Warren challenges peoples beliefs and views, either strengthening your current views, or forcing you to think about controversial topics in a different light. I enjoy teachers who challenge their students in this manner. Because of this class I feel more competent and knowledgable about the inequalities of our nation. One instance that has stuck with me is the education system and it does not give each child an equal opportunity. I enjoyed that everyone could be open in this class, and express their opinions without feeling judged or condemned.

In our class, we have become more developed and equipped with the skills needed to identify social inequality. We have used this knowledge to identify social inequality in our communities, families, life and so much more. It made me more aware of the race, gender, and class that I have been challenged with in life. I want to pass on good wishes to all the seniors in our class. I hope we all apply the knowledge we have received in this course to our daily lives. I'm glad I took this course.

Blogging will be open for the next hour. I enjoyed the blogs. You guys really did get the essence of this last material. I hope that knowlege translated to the test!

In my other sociology class a guy did a presentation on "equal pay day" and I had never heard of it before. Equal pay day was April 17,2012 and thateant that women who
Worked all of 2011 and up to April 17,2012 made the same amount as a man in the same job of only the year 2011. This blew my mind! I knew women have always had a pay difference but putting it out ther in that way really made me recognize how
Different it is. It's really pititful!

I enjoyed the class a lot... it opened my mind up to a lot of things and made me view life in a different way. Good luck to all of my classmates may you be amazing in all the things you do!

I must say that I turly enjoyed this class. all the disscussions we had in class kept my attention and made me want to become involved. I loved salvage inqualties as a book to read for class, it was so real and really made you think about school systems around the world. I wish you the best of luck with moving and your new life in Al. Thanks for a great class and for alot of knowledge I will take with me.

Savage Inequalities was an excellent read! It defined problems within our city of Memphis. No recreational activities for children in predominantly black neighborhoods, failing and deteriorating schools, better conditions and life chances for those in the "better" neighborhoods. If you would like to see real life examples of Savage Inequalities, just ride around and observe the City of Memphis.

Gender refers to both femininity and masculinity as characteristics of individuals. Gender is produced in social interactions. Gender shapes macro-level social structures. Moreover, gender rests fundamentally on ideas of sexuality. That is, ideas of femininity and masculinity are constructed around notions of proper sexual conduct and sexual relations. Gender and sexuality are interconnected.
The meanings attached to gender and sexuality varies within and between societies. These meanings intersect with other forms of social differentiation including racial formation, class, ethnicity, age and ability.
Did our teacher aim to help us :In addition to providing us with a sociological understanding of gender, do you feel you were : helped in becoming more aware of multiple perspectives on issues of diversity.
â?¢Did you develop a greater awareness of societal problems.
â?¢ Were the diversity of your life experiences examine.
â?¢Were you made to feel as an individual in the class.
â?¢Were any of the teachings helpful out side of the class room

After watching the move I can't do anything but believe what she was saying. I have dated several women in the past and no matter how cute, pretty, or beautiful I told them they were they never fully felt like they were fine. The main problem was their weight. Many women feel like their fat because of how the media portrays how women should look. Women are striving to have the skinny model look, but in reality all that should matter is if they are healthy or not. In some cases the every day common woman for lack of better terms, is healthier than the models they want to look like due to poor eating and dieting habits to keep their slim appearance up. The make-up industries thrive off of the medias portrayal of women by making them have insecurities about their facial appearance. I'd take a natural beauty over artificial beauty any day.

I am a young Arcican American woman. Who gets to define who I am. The media has a lot to say about who I am or rather who I should be. I'm suppose to use my looks and body to get anything out of life. But that's not who I am. Some people are afraid of women especially women of color who are considered intelligent. My brain is what has gotten me this far in life. And it will continue to be the key to my success.

I must say when I first walked into the class I had my own theory of what the class would be about, but did not think it would be as in depth as it was. I am so glad it was. This class has really opened my eyes to a lot. I always thought race class and gender were equal, as far as discrimination goes. I always thought that the African American were at the bottom of the totem pole. But I now know that it is Native American. I had learned about the mistreatment of the Native Americans in other classes, but did not know it was still going on today. When I think about the Native American and How they were treated and how they are still being treated it angers me. I know I blogged about the Native Americans before but nothing anger me more than this subject, except for the enslavement of African Americans.
The class as a whole, well let me say, I got the truth out of this class and I am glad I had the opportunity to take it. Mrs. Warren will be missed on the campus of the UofM and although her season here is over, I hope her replacemnt is half as passionate about the subject as she is. Mrs. Warren I wish you nothing but the very best and once again congratulations on you retirement.

The discussion about heterosexism and racism based on Patricia Hill's article got very heated yet entertaing in class yesterday. Patricia Hill talks about how ministers in the church are always preaching about loving one another, etc. yet they are always bashing and judging homosexuals. The topic went beyond homosexuals, but this issue was discussed the most in class because some got a little offended. Professor Warren touched on Patricia Hill's views with a little of her own saying how some preachers preach about how homosexuality will send you to hell, or your soul will be lost if you're gay. She asked why can't be loving to homosexuals as well. Even though I was raised in the church and taught that homosexuality is a sin, I do not judge homosexuals. I have friends who are gay, and I love them just as much as I do others. They are human beings as well and who are we to say that they are not good enough in God's eyes. If we just stopped judging and crucifying people for being who they are, the world would be a much better place.

Men are raised in this society to be tough and aggressiveâ??â??manlyâ??. They are taunted and ridiculed for showing any form of emotion. The problem is human beings are supposed to show emotions (itâ??s a natural process). I was raised in a house full of women and when I look back I think that is what helped my father become the man he is today. My father has two older brothers and one younger sister and I am pretty sure as a child the boys were told to man up if any problems arose. So just like any other man, my father put on the tough guise â??maskâ?? and became held back his emotions. Things changed when my older brother died at the age of four. At this time of his life it was obviously okay for my father to cry (in fact it was expected of him to show his feelings). After that tragic event, my father had three more girls (including me) and his entire world changed.
Society still demanded my father to demonstrate his masculine side only, but like I said things changed once he had his three daughters. My father is a loving and caring husband as well as father. He is not like a lot of men (especially black men) who think that if they helped bring a child in this world that automatically makes them a father. My father is a feminist because he exhibits both masculine and feminine qualities. This man will do anything to protect his wife and children but will cry at his daughterâ??s graduations and not feel ashamed. My father has illustrated to me the type of man I should want to marry.

The way Iam looking at what's wrong with the world is that we have gotten off course from the way we all started off. A Man and a Woman were married and had children if they could. The Man would go out and work and the Woman would work from their home. We are no longer in our right role. I think maybe that's because society has change. The Man has lost his love for a woman and no longer want to take care of the woman and now the woman is forced to go outside of the home and work. Women now adays want to be admired. They are cutting on themselves, and losing weight and showing them selves naked in viedos and on social network sites. Most Women do not want to be admired as being a good mother or a good wive or the world does not make a big deal about being a mother or wife therefore, women put most of their attention on their bodies . Women come to believe that if they are perfect in all possible areas, then they will be admired and then they will be happy if they have accomplised their professionally goals and financial goals and are independent then they are successful and happy. Men loves pleasure ! Women just like to look really good to them.