Under the Spell of the Media

In Bell Hooks "Cultural Criticism," I learned how the media is a driving force in our thought process about the world around us. We come to know certain things about sex, race, or gender when viewing movies, music videos, television shows, etc... The media seems to perpetuate certain images about people that never really seem to change. For example, Bell Hooks talks about rap music videos where the black rappers are seen as thugs and dangerous. After viewing those music videos, people unintentionally will put that image in their heads when seeing regular black people on the street. They will not see the black person for who they are, but who the media told us they are. In 50 Cent's music video "Many Men," we see rapper 50 Cent get repeatedly shot by two other black men. This dangerous image of black men stays with people and unfortunately contributes to people's negative attitudes about black people. Another thing that Bell Hooks talks about is Madonna using sex to sell. She says that Madonna degrades herself to make a quick buck and contributes to a society of patriarchy. Again, when viewing Madonna in music videos or on television, it affects us in ways we cannot see. Ultimately, we come to think that all women are like her or should be like her. We do not see who the person, Madonna, is, but who her body is. We view her as a sex object. Because she uses her body to get people to notice her, the feminist movement seems to go back. Men do not have to reveal their bodies for people to listen, so women are ultimately downgraded. At the 2003 MTV VMA's, Madonna kisses Britney Spears on the lips for shock value during a rendition of her songs "Like A Virgin" and "Hollywood." She does this to sell more and to make sure her names is still in the headlines. Yes, this was an entertaining performance, but Madonna loses herself to her art. We do not see what she is trying to say anymore. We just see the gimmick, which makes us think that using our sexuality is the only way to make money.