Summary:
Looking for different ways to expand my essay I came across an article titled Fighting Men and Fighting Women. This article explained that boxing was traditionally a male sport. Men began boxing to show off their masculinity. Women were not even allowed to be spectators because it wasn't considered "lady like." However, some women don't like taking no for an answer and they convinced whoever was in charge of the fights to let them watch because they wanted to cheer the fighters on. Most of these women had no real interest in being cheerleaders but boxers instead. Soon enough, men allowed women to do a form of boxing referred to as sparring which is less aggressive. Of course, the majority of men were against this, arguing that boxing was a manly sport because of the physicality. As a result, they offered an alternative; gymnastics. Gymnastics would allow women to be healthy and not having to participate in a contact sport. Other options such as golf, tennis, croquet, and bicycling were later added.
Response:
I think that this would be a good article to use for my essay because it talks about some of the issues that I want to talk about; male superiority, boxing, and sexism. At first, females weren't even allowed to watch the sport. Now, it is arguable that some female boxers are better fighters than males. I think that the reason why men didn't want females to box was because women have to be pretty, being pretty doesn't involve being in a contact sport. That ties in perfectly with one of the points in my essay; femininity. Women can still look "pretty" and be "classy" while participating in a sport like gymnastics, boxing would do just the opposite.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Expansion Essay Proposal
I am expanding my essay four, which was about female athletes having to feminize themselves in order to gain male approval which would lead to the success of their athletic careers. I selected this essay for expansion because I focused my essay only on one female athlete; UFC female champion Ronda Rousey. To expand, I will also talk about the popular female boxer Mia St John who had a similar career path as Ronda Rousey. I think that it will be interesting to see how these two extremely successful athletes from very different backgrounds ended up choosing the same option to obtain approval from the public. Ronda and Mia alike have very strong personalities, which can be expected due to their careers, however society has a very strict image of beauty that can even be intimidating to women like them.
Key Terms:
Key Terms:
- female athletes
- femininity
- gender roles in sports
- society's idea of beauty
- male superiority
- gender stereotypes
- sexism in sports
Sunday, October 26, 2014
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Summary:
In Chapter 11, Marguerite and Bailey were living in St. Louis with their mother and her boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Vivian, their mother, and Mr. Freeman both worked. However, their schedules didn't match up so at times, Marguerite and Bailey would have to stay home with Mr. Freeman while their mother worked. At this time, Marguerite and Bailey were both having a hard time coping with everything that they had been through, as a result, Marguerite had nightmares and Bailey stuttered. Marguerite's nightmares got so bad one night that her mother told her to go sleep with her and Mr. Freeman. This went on for a couple of nights. One morning, Vivian got up and left, leaving Marguerite alone in bed with Mr. Freeman. Marguerite woke up to a pressure on her leg. It wasn't Mr. Freeman's arm, or leg, it was his "thing." Mr. Freeman made Marguerite touch his "thing" then he pulled her on top of his chest as he finished masturbating. Once he was done, he held her close to his chest, and she felt loved. Then, he got up, changed the sheets and told her that they had to talk. He explained to her that she couldn't tell anyone what they had done or that he would have to kill Bailey. Confused, Marguerite promised not to tell anyone. For weeks, Mr. Freeman completely ignored Marguerite, making her feel very lonely. One day, she felt so lonely that she went to sit on Mr. Freeman's lap, hoping that she would feel loved again. Once again, he molested her and ignored her for weeks. After that, Marguerite decided to spend her time at the library and she no longer felt lonely.
Response:
This chapter made me sick to my stomach because these events were real. Not only that, but people like that still exist to this day. Mr. Freeman took advantage that one, Vivian was gone and two, Marguerite was a vulnerable, defenseless little girl. Marguerite and Vivian both trusted him. Mr. Freeman was aware that Marguerite had never had a father figure in her life and that she had never had affection from anyone. He also knew how much she loved Bailey, because Bailey was all she had, he used her love for Bailey as a way of blackmail. Mr. Freeman had this all planned out. He knew exactly what to do and say to make sure that Marguerite would never tell anyone. I think that child sexual abuse is something that will always and has always been around because it is so easy to convince a child not to say anything or that what is being done to them is normal. This chapter stuck with me the most because it is something that we still see in our world today and that's just sad.
In Chapter 11, Marguerite and Bailey were living in St. Louis with their mother and her boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Vivian, their mother, and Mr. Freeman both worked. However, their schedules didn't match up so at times, Marguerite and Bailey would have to stay home with Mr. Freeman while their mother worked. At this time, Marguerite and Bailey were both having a hard time coping with everything that they had been through, as a result, Marguerite had nightmares and Bailey stuttered. Marguerite's nightmares got so bad one night that her mother told her to go sleep with her and Mr. Freeman. This went on for a couple of nights. One morning, Vivian got up and left, leaving Marguerite alone in bed with Mr. Freeman. Marguerite woke up to a pressure on her leg. It wasn't Mr. Freeman's arm, or leg, it was his "thing." Mr. Freeman made Marguerite touch his "thing" then he pulled her on top of his chest as he finished masturbating. Once he was done, he held her close to his chest, and she felt loved. Then, he got up, changed the sheets and told her that they had to talk. He explained to her that she couldn't tell anyone what they had done or that he would have to kill Bailey. Confused, Marguerite promised not to tell anyone. For weeks, Mr. Freeman completely ignored Marguerite, making her feel very lonely. One day, she felt so lonely that she went to sit on Mr. Freeman's lap, hoping that she would feel loved again. Once again, he molested her and ignored her for weeks. After that, Marguerite decided to spend her time at the library and she no longer felt lonely.
Response:
This chapter made me sick to my stomach because these events were real. Not only that, but people like that still exist to this day. Mr. Freeman took advantage that one, Vivian was gone and two, Marguerite was a vulnerable, defenseless little girl. Marguerite and Vivian both trusted him. Mr. Freeman was aware that Marguerite had never had a father figure in her life and that she had never had affection from anyone. He also knew how much she loved Bailey, because Bailey was all she had, he used her love for Bailey as a way of blackmail. Mr. Freeman had this all planned out. He knew exactly what to do and say to make sure that Marguerite would never tell anyone. I think that child sexual abuse is something that will always and has always been around because it is so easy to convince a child not to say anything or that what is being done to them is normal. This chapter stuck with me the most because it is something that we still see in our world today and that's just sad.
Steve Craig's Men's Men and Women's Women
Summary:
In Steve Craig's Men's Men and Women's Women, he describes the four different gendered categories that advertisers use in order to reach their target audience; Men's Men, Men's Women, Women's Women, and Women's Men. A Men's Men commercial is aimed at men. It will usually be aired during weekend sports. The commercial will usually feature all males in a setting away from home. A Men's Women commercial is also aimed at men. It will usually be aired on the weekend. These commercials usually feature a male or males and a sexy, young woman, again, in a setting away from home. A Women's Women commercial is aimed at women, usually a housewife. It will usually be aired in the daytime. These commercials usually feature an attractive woman at home, usually with her children and/or husband. Finally, a Women's Man commercial is also targeted at women. It will usually be aired during the daytime. These commercials usually feature a very attractive, young male and a woman.
Response:
I definitely agree that most commercials are gendered. However, I hadn't really noticed until I read this article. One set of commercials that I had noticed were targeted towards men were the Carl's Jr. commercials with celebrities. I noticed because why else would they choose a very sexy and thin celebrity to eat their hamburger in a bikini, unless it was to target men to buy their burgers. After reading this article, however, I began to notice how almost every commercial was gendered. Cleaning products commercials were aired during the day when moms would be home and beer commercials were aired on the weekends when dads would usually be home. I have to give advertisers props for this strategy because it actually works. They meet the consumers needs while selling their products. Everyone wins.
In Steve Craig's Men's Men and Women's Women, he describes the four different gendered categories that advertisers use in order to reach their target audience; Men's Men, Men's Women, Women's Women, and Women's Men. A Men's Men commercial is aimed at men. It will usually be aired during weekend sports. The commercial will usually feature all males in a setting away from home. A Men's Women commercial is also aimed at men. It will usually be aired on the weekend. These commercials usually feature a male or males and a sexy, young woman, again, in a setting away from home. A Women's Women commercial is aimed at women, usually a housewife. It will usually be aired in the daytime. These commercials usually feature an attractive woman at home, usually with her children and/or husband. Finally, a Women's Man commercial is also targeted at women. It will usually be aired during the daytime. These commercials usually feature a very attractive, young male and a woman.
Response:
I definitely agree that most commercials are gendered. However, I hadn't really noticed until I read this article. One set of commercials that I had noticed were targeted towards men were the Carl's Jr. commercials with celebrities. I noticed because why else would they choose a very sexy and thin celebrity to eat their hamburger in a bikini, unless it was to target men to buy their burgers. After reading this article, however, I began to notice how almost every commercial was gendered. Cleaning products commercials were aired during the day when moms would be home and beer commercials were aired on the weekends when dads would usually be home. I have to give advertisers props for this strategy because it actually works. They meet the consumers needs while selling their products. Everyone wins.
The Things They Carried
Summary:
In the chapter Enemies, O'Brien tells the story of Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen. Jensen believed that Strunk stole his jackknife. As a result, they got into a fistfight and Jensen broke Strunk's nose. Strunk was taken away, two days later when he returned Jensen became very paranoid. Strunk never threatened Jensen. However, Jensen could not focus on the war, he couldn't even sleep. He was always on guard waiting for Strunk to attack him. One day, he finally lost it and began to fire his weapon in the air screaming Strunk's name. He finally stopped and just sat there for a couple of hours. Later that night, he broke his own nose with a pistol. He went over to Strunk and showed him what he had done, asking if they were even. Strunk agreed. In the morning, Strunk couldn't control his laughter, stating that Jensen was crazy, he stole Jensen's jackknife.
Response:
Just by reading the title of this chapter, I imagined that it would be about the Vietnamese, since they are supposed to be "the enemy." I think that this chapter is one that touches a topic that we can all relate to; betrayal. If we think about it, Jensen and Strunk should be able to trust each other. However, Strunk steals from Jensen. Strunk should have been looking out for Jensen instead of stealing from him. I'm sure Jensen thought that he could trust Strunk since they are both on the same side of the war, partners, maybe even friends. As I mentioned before, I believe that this is something that most people can relate to. I'm sure that everyone, at least once in their life, has been betrayed by someone that they trusted. Although this story was filled with many emotions, and had a moral to it, I like the irony with which it ended.
In the chapter Enemies, O'Brien tells the story of Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen. Jensen believed that Strunk stole his jackknife. As a result, they got into a fistfight and Jensen broke Strunk's nose. Strunk was taken away, two days later when he returned Jensen became very paranoid. Strunk never threatened Jensen. However, Jensen could not focus on the war, he couldn't even sleep. He was always on guard waiting for Strunk to attack him. One day, he finally lost it and began to fire his weapon in the air screaming Strunk's name. He finally stopped and just sat there for a couple of hours. Later that night, he broke his own nose with a pistol. He went over to Strunk and showed him what he had done, asking if they were even. Strunk agreed. In the morning, Strunk couldn't control his laughter, stating that Jensen was crazy, he stole Jensen's jackknife.
Response:
Just by reading the title of this chapter, I imagined that it would be about the Vietnamese, since they are supposed to be "the enemy." I think that this chapter is one that touches a topic that we can all relate to; betrayal. If we think about it, Jensen and Strunk should be able to trust each other. However, Strunk steals from Jensen. Strunk should have been looking out for Jensen instead of stealing from him. I'm sure Jensen thought that he could trust Strunk since they are both on the same side of the war, partners, maybe even friends. As I mentioned before, I believe that this is something that most people can relate to. I'm sure that everyone, at least once in their life, has been betrayed by someone that they trusted. Although this story was filled with many emotions, and had a moral to it, I like the irony with which it ended.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Enough about You
Summary:
In Brian Williams's "Enough about You" he talks about how everything is always about 'me.' Americans, he says, have decided that the most important person in their lives is themselves. He continues to describe how they constantly share everything about their lives. While doing this, they expect people to be interested in what they share. Once again, they are only interested if it has to do with them. For this reason, many people aren't informed about more important things, for example, U.S. troops along the two major fronts. Finally, he finished off by showing the big picture, everyone is so busy focusing on themselves that they are missing out on the world around them.
Response:
As a teenager living in the 21st century I know that Williams is absolutely right about everything. Most of us only care about what happens in our lives. Take a look at your Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. What's on there? Probably nothing but selfies, posts about your day, and pictures of your food. Hardly anyone posts about current events.I could relate when Williams said, "Americans have decided the most important person in their lives is...them, and our culture is now built upon that idea" (473), because in all honestly, we don't log onto our social network accounts to see how everyone else is doing but to post about ourselves.
In Brian Williams's "Enough about You" he talks about how everything is always about 'me.' Americans, he says, have decided that the most important person in their lives is themselves. He continues to describe how they constantly share everything about their lives. While doing this, they expect people to be interested in what they share. Once again, they are only interested if it has to do with them. For this reason, many people aren't informed about more important things, for example, U.S. troops along the two major fronts. Finally, he finished off by showing the big picture, everyone is so busy focusing on themselves that they are missing out on the world around them.
Response:
As a teenager living in the 21st century I know that Williams is absolutely right about everything. Most of us only care about what happens in our lives. Take a look at your Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. What's on there? Probably nothing but selfies, posts about your day, and pictures of your food. Hardly anyone posts about current events.I could relate when Williams said, "Americans have decided the most important person in their lives is...them, and our culture is now built upon that idea" (473), because in all honestly, we don't log onto our social network accounts to see how everyone else is doing but to post about ourselves.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Virtual Popularity Isn't Cool - It's Pathetic
Summary:
In Ian Daly's "Virtual Popularity Isn't Cool - It's Pathetic" he explains how having friends on the
Internet is especially easy thanks to Facebook. Referring to Facebook as a 'rare tropical disease' that infects grown men. He believes that Facebook is a huge waste of time, "friending, in Ian Daly's opinion, has gotten a lot of grown men acting giddy, spending hours online tending their Facebook pages rather than doing their work" he continues to give examples by comparing grown men's behavior to teenage girls. Ian Daly also talks about the fact that people on Facebook sometimes have up to 10,000 friends. He points out that these 'friends' aren't really friends. Besides what they see on their Facebook pages, they don't really know anything about these 'friends.' However, he explains that people feel some sort of accomplishment merely by being on these sites.
Response:
While I was reading this essay all I could think was, 'wow, this is so true.' Although I do not have a Facebook, I have an Instagram, and I could still relate. I have some friends on Instagram that will post certain things (that they really shouldn't be posting) just for attention or to be 'cool.' Some of them post these things hoping to become what they call 'Instagram famous.' One way that they do this is by adding EVERYONE, even people they don't know, in order to get thousands of followers. The idea is, the more followers you have, the more likes you will get, the more people will start to notice you, the faster you'll become famous. Pretty pathetic. What's even more sad is that Ian Daly hit it right on the nail when he said "adult-male converts to behave like 13-year-old girls" because there are grown men posting 'selfies' of themselves crying (typical 13-year-old girl move) so that one of his followers will ask the petty 'are you okay?'
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