Final written Analysis 1-4-6

Written Analysis:

        The popular culture topic that I’ve researched over the last 6 weeks has been informative.  I look at these fad diets differently.  I am able to see past the payment and the promise.  I understand that these false beliefs can bankrupt a person who is not happy or does not love themselves.  Thus is what these diet makers are hoping.  These fad diets have made many people filthy rich and there are many more waiting the opportunity to do the same.  They have become the root to a preponderance of evil.

.       This paper will address the following items in the in my myth analysis:

a.       Which theories seem to be best related to your popular culture topic?

b.      What are the most interesting findings from your analysis?

c.       How will you think of your popular culture topic differently based on your analysis?

Which theories seem to be best related to your popular culture topic?

         The theories that I feel are best related to my popular culture topic are, the iconic and the formula theories.  The iconic theory applies because these fad diets are just that.   The popular culture spends billions of dollars a year on these diet fads, whether they work or not.   They have become obsessions to some.  Everyone is looking for the right one, that miracle plan. 

The formula theory applies to this topic too, because this is probably one of the biggest selling factors.   The main selling point is that you have to follow the plan to the letter and it will work.  There are even guarantees if you follow the formula.    You may have to purchase the meals, or prepare the meals exactly as you are instructed, and eat them at the specified times to get the full results. 

What are the most interesting findings from your analysis?

        What I found to be most interesting is the fact that most women are not satisfied with how their bodies look.  It is as though, loving yourself for who you are is just a myth.  It used to be practiced and preached years ago.  Now, they tend to feel inferior if they are overweight and lack self-worth and love.  They are brainwashed by society in believing that the only beauty in your looks and your body.  No one believes that beauty is only skin deep anymore.  We are taught to change it if you don’t like it, not to love yourself for who you are.  There used to be an acceptance and appreciation for how God made us.  Not anymore.

     

How will you think of your popular culture topic differently based on your analysis?

        The way I will think of my pop culture topic differently is that I will not allow these fad diets to control my life anymore.  This is mostly done for profit, not because someone is so concerned with peoples’ health.  The public is preyed upon by these individuals who claim to have the next best thing to dieting.  I will not be concerned with the next best catchy phrase or promise to help me lose weight.  I will save my money and do it the old fashioned way, and eat less and exercise.

Things are not always as simple as they seem.  Losing weight requires a lot of long term discipline.

          

Journal Article Analysis Assignment # 1-3-2

Journal Article Analysis:

“King Kong Ain’t Got Sh*** On Me”

Allegories, Anxieties, and the Performance of Race in Mass Media

        The depiction of African Americans in film has always been seen as controversial.  There has and always be those who disagree with mass media and feel that we do not get a fair shake.  Most in Hollywood feel that this is the only way to sell blacks in film.  I beg to differ.

  This paper will address the following items in this Journal Article Analysis assignment:

a.       Briefly summarize the article and the author’s main points.

b.      Analyze the article.

c.       Describe why you do or do not agree with the author’s main points.

d.      Describe why this article is or is not important.

Briefly summarize the article and the author’s main points.

        This article discusses the depiction of African Americans in films.  It describes how their real life struggles, fears, and downfalls are glorified in films.  It proves that the stereotypes they are subjected to are not just carried out in their everyday lives, but in the film industry as well.   African Americans are usually playing roles that influence the same. 

        According to Wilson, the article also discusses the fact that Denzel Washington and Halle Berry were nominated for the “leading Actor and Actress” in the 2002 Oscars. (Henderson, 2010). This came on the heels of the US attack by Al-Qaida.  Some felt that this was some sort of vindication to the African Americans. (Henderson, 2010).  Since the country seemed to be in a state of redemption, this was a way to make up for overlooking them at other deserving times. (Henderson, 2010). 

Analyze the article.

        What I gather from this article is that the Caucasian filmmakers must believe that the most economical and influential way to market and sell African American actors and actresses is to film them in a negative light.  The stereotypes that they are subjected to are the stereotypes of yesterday and today.  They will probably always be portrayed as gangsters, thugs, drug dealers, simple-minded and living dead end lives on a path to their final destruction. (Henderson, 2010).  Some of the depictions of black men echo of centuries past. (Henderson, 2010).   Believe it or not, some film critics’ characterized their worst fears and troubled moments as the “magical moments” in the story lines. (Henderson, 2010).   

       The article suggests that Denzel and Halle finally won their Oscars when they were portrayed as these characters with the same stereotypes that plagued all other actors.  All of their excellent works went unrecognized when they portrayed the typical well educated and spoken African Americans.  It was only when they fit the “norm” that they were recognized for their work in the film industry.  (Henderson, 2010).   According to Iverem, Halle Berry only won her Oscar when took her clothes off and bearded her breast during a love seen with Billy Bob Thornton in “Monsters Ball”. (Henderson, 2010).    She never won an Oscar until then and she had numerous performances before then that she could have taken home one. 

       The same with Denzel, he had so many prior performances that he should have won his Oscars hands down.   The movies, Malcolm X, Hurricane Carter, Philadelphia, The Pelican Brief just to name a few were films that he could have easily won Oscars.   Julia Roberts made a statement that there was no way that she should have an Oscar and Denzel not have one. (Henderson, 2010).  Oddly enough, “Training Day” won Denzel his very first Oscar for “Leading Role”.  His character was so opposite of anything Denzel had done.  He was demonized.    He had been given the stereotypical character of the black male in today’s times. (Henderson, 2010).    He was viscous, violent and cruel.  His forceful references to the fantastical and animalistic qualities of King Kong signals America’s racial memory of the largest minstrel icon of its time, (and the most dangerous.) (Henderson, 2010).   This phrase is symbolic of this movie and the representation of the black male by white America. (Henderson, 2010).    

         The authors’ main points are taken.  I find fact in this article.  It’s only because this is what you see in film.   It is apparently the light the audiences are comfortable in seeing us portrayed

As economic times worsen and the unemployment rates amongst African Americans continue to rise, these stereotypes will remain prevalent and evident in society today.

                     Describe why this article is or is not important.

        This article is extremely important because it you can see episodes of this behavior on the news every day.   It has become the norm for African Americans to be depicted in a negative form.  There will have to be some change in the way the media sees them and sell it.  The film industry will have to learn to see the other side of them, and like it enough to put it in their films.  Film Makers will have to take a chance on the brighter side to African Americans.  They are no different than any other race, there is good and bad in all of them.  African Americans are positive and productive citizens as well.  They are the smart, rich, and powerful, and the gangsters and thugs in our society.  Don’t judge anyone by the color of their skin; judge them by the content of their character.

REFERENCES

Henderson, C. (2010). "King kong ain't got sh*** on me" allegories, anxieties, and the

          performance of race in mass media. Wiley Periodicals, 43(6), 1207-1221.