Be the change you want to see in the world.
☮ Mohandas Gandhi ☮

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Dallas Holocaust Museum & Westboro Baptist Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8cwI5J0VJU

I remember seeing something about this on the news not too long ago, where I thought how insane could a group be that would protest a fallen soldier. It seems like everyone traditionally puts their differences aside when a solider has lost his life defending our country. No one says "oh but he was Mexican," his life is respected and the entire community comes to lay them to rest. I know that in San Antonio, on the nightly news if someone is killed in battle, they run several stories to inform the community of their death, return to their hometown for burial, and the funeral arrangements, and sometimes coverage of the funeral. It's a way for the community to pay respect to the fallen soldier and thank them for giving their life for our freedom. It sickens me that a group like Westboro would attempt to disrupt the last memorable honor that person is due. I'm so thankful that the Patriot Guard Riders show up to make a civil, peaceful, statement to them. How could a group want to push someone when they are at such a low point into physically harming them just to get a reaction?

I feel the same about the protest that took place at the Dallas Holocaust Museum. First of all, what on earth are these people thinking, or what drugs are they taking to think this is acceptable? Second, we are usually looking to seeking community coverage and PR, but in this case, that is what the adversary wanted so it was interesting to see a group like the DHM trying NOT to get PR. It seemed like from what Nannette told us it was a PR snowball and enticed so many emotions, there was just no way to control the situation from happening. From a PR student's side, I found it interesting to see how they attempted to control the crisis and the counter protesters. From my point of view, it seems like the protest went successfully. The WBC people did not successfully stir up any physical reaction from either the counter protesters or the DHM. I think the ADL's advise to ignore them completely is not truly effective, but I don't think any interaction with them is necessary as to prove that they are not having any effect on the museum.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Tom Hanks on Spanish News TV

So we all know about the cliche "telenovelas," talk shows, and games shows on Spanish network TV. You have the beautiful, curvy, usually "cantina-girl" female characters who make over dramatic faces and mannerisms. They are usually so ridiculous its funny. It's so strange to me that they still have these women in spandex hot pants and bras on daytime talk shows. They look like prostitutes, and sometimes are having conversations about serious topics. I thought this clip of Tom Hanks' guest appearance on a Univision morning show was interesting. He was there to promote his new movie, yet did not really seem to take the show seriously whatsoever. This clip shows him horsing around with the cliche weather girl and not discussing his movie at all. I hope he managed to get some promo in, but it made me wonder if due to the language barrier, he take this appearance seriously. In fact the opening sentence of the article says:
"This is how it goes in Hollywood: One day you’re the two-time Academy Award-winning star of “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump”; the next, you’re a backup dancer to a TV weather reporter."
Hmm... Anywho this article made me think about Univision mainly as I've been wanting to discuss the absurdness of the network. For a culture that is already male dominated and female submissive; they don't help by making women look like everyday prostitutes and putting them on daytime television cha-cha-ing around for Mexican pesos to put in their bra top. This also comes back to the character of Gloria in Modern Family, the beautiful Columbian woman, with the over exaggerated accent, and emphasis on her curvy body. I love her character, she makes you laugh. But its concerning if you examine her whole background, single mother, marries an older wealthy white man, and lives the dutiful housewife role. Just thoughts...

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/category/television/

The War Against Girls: "Unnatural Selection"

"Better 500 rupees now than 5,000 later," reads one ad put out by an Indian clinic, a reference to the price of a sex test versus the cost of a dowry.

 So apparently since the late 1970s, 163 million female babies have been aborted by parents seeking sons. First of all in nature, 105 boys are born for every 100 girls. According to Adam & Eve, women were made from Adam's rib, so I can understand that. However, this article reports greater numbers in India (112:100), China (121:100), Azerbaijan (115:100), and Armenia (120:100). This is due to females aborting their babies once they find out the sex is female.

Why are parents demanding boys over girls in this century? Its been proven that women are more intelligent than men! (Just had to throw that in there.) Now there is an increase of violence in India, the author claims the best predictor of violence and crime for any given area is not income but sex ratio. There are not enough women to marry the "surplus of men," accumulating in the lower classes. These unmarried, limited income men are at a higher risk for being trouble makers already.

After doing my project on Jean Kilbourne's "Killing Us Softly" research, I came to think about how women are turned into objects by their depictions in media. But articles like this is proof that media is not too be given the majority of credit for this social disaster. If children are killed off before they are out of the womb due to the fact that they are female, we are cultivating a society that is bound to treat females unequally.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576361691165631366.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Friday, June 17, 2011

"Saudi Women, Start Your Engines!"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/activist-saudi-women-begin-forays-to-challenge-driving-ban/2011/06/17/AGv4MOYH_story.html?hpid=z4


Ok. Give me a break. It is 2011. Why oh why is it headline news that a Saudi woman was able to make a 45 min trip around the capital in a vehicle. I know this isn't America. They have religious beliefs and customs. But this is ridiculous. They are concerned that if they allow women to start driving, they will rebel against other restrictions, ie: Not being allowed to vote, and having to obtain permission from a male guardian to travel or obtain a job. This is why I have a hard time understanding middle eastern customs. They seem so mid evil. This driving ban is the only one worldwide. It's insane. What I really like most about this article is the numerous mentions of Twitter and other social media, and the positive, encouragement these women have received from around the world. I believe times... They are a'changin! These smaller less developed countries are having a harder time hiding from the world and these types of injustices can so easily be broadcast globally within seconds. I'm excited to see what other reform campaigns arise in the future!

Economic Effects of Diversity in Media

Our struggling economy seems to effect each and everyone of us on so many levels. This 2008 USAToday article describes an effect that relates to our class and the research we have been doing.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-07-24-diversity-media-unity_N.htm

Newspaper and other media outlet companies are finding ways to cut costs left and right. So I find it interesting that media outlets view maintaining a diverse source of news as a cost that can be cut from their budget. Why is this so difficult? Why would this initiative even be necessary? It doesn't seem like race & ethnicity should be a factor in cut backs and lost jobs. We are all facing these issues.

Under Unity's "Ten by 2010: Transforming Journalism Through Diversity Leadership" program, 10 media companies will train and promote one high-potential manager of color to a senior management job by 2010.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Lebron James

So after the 2011 NBA Finals Lebron James who is already disliked for the way he treated Cleveland, (the team that nurtured and supported him throughout his career, before ditching them to play for Miami Heat), responded to haters at a press conference. He basically said yall go on enjoying this time when I didn't succeed, but eventually you will have to get over it and come back to the pathetic real world lives you live and I'm still going to be making the money and living the life I live. USAToday had several reactions to his comments including
- "He needs to learn to speak to the media. He puts his foot in his mouth time and time again," said Jalen Rose.
- Jon Barry said the ring-less King James needs to "think" about the implications of his comments before making them. "Don't tweet at 2:30 in the morning. Don't say we're going to win 5,6,7,8 championships."
- "Yeah LeBron. I did wake up to my middle class existence, not having a fraction of the wealth as you," wrote whittierte. "Nor do I have to wake up, then spend endless days and nights knowing what a choke I am, and how millions of people, because I am a schmuck, really want to see me fail. I can live with that LeBron. Can you?

Does he not have anyone doing PR for him? First making fun of Dirk being sick, then running his mouth being cocky and predicting a championship, and now basically calling his fans pathetic. Maybe he just doesn't care?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/06/lebron-james-to-hating-fans-worry-about-your-own-lousy-life/1

--- I'ed also like to find out who allowed a full page ad congratulating the Heat on their championship win from Macy's to be run in the Miami Herald. How does that get overlooked? 

Women in Politics

Michelle Bachman announced last night that she will run for President of the U.S. 2012. The response from media does not seem to be in her favor. They are calling her a Sarah Palin stand in. Why do you think the media is so quick to undermine women in politics. This is an article in which they call her a "drama queen." When do they refer to men as "drama kings?" On Morning Joe this morning, they called Sarah Palin a "star, and TV likes stars. As long as they continue to, she will continue to get those ratings." Unfortunately I think women will always be stereotyped in politics, because men regardless continue to see us as "stars" and "drama queens." Either something pretty & shiny to look at or causing problems. Not effectively running our country.


http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/121716/michele_bachmann_should_run_for

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Celebrities Use of Social Media to Promote Causes

 As I have expressed my love of the use of social media for both personal and business use, I have to disagree with this author's posting. He brings up Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore's new campaign against the child sex trade industry. They are using famous celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Cooper Bradley, Jamie Foxx, & Eva Longoria to create short creative videos which bring a very socially disturbing issue to light in a manner that can reach a mass audience without the controversy. The author raises the question "Is bad PR better than no PR?" He says he understands the execution of the ads, but feels it is a bad one. The point of this discussion is not to specifically address this question, but I have to raise this question. Remember Sarah McLaughlin's animal rescue advocacy PSA? I immediately change the channel... As pretty much everyone else. I can't bear to see the animals eyes it stirs up so much emotion. Ashton Kutcher is known for his quirky humor, I think it gives his advocacy something different that people will remember, and actually be able to watch.

I think using celebrities to bring diverse and multicultural issues to light is a great PR strategy. They are able to add credibility average people can't. By utilizing Twitter and Facebook accounts, celebrities reach a mass audience within seconds. Think of the top campaigns and the celebrities attached to them like Lance Armstrong's foundation, Michael J. Fox's foundation for the cure for Parkinson's Disease, and the many celebrities associated with Susan G. Koman. Whether good or bad PR, I don't think it matters when you have a celebrity utilizing social media outlets as well as ads like the ones Ashton & Demi have made to get the word out there.

http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/2011/04/19/cause-de-celebres-demi-ashtons-sex-trafficking-crusade/

#BlackTags and Twitter

I stumbled across this article on TheSocietyPages.org. "A multi-disciplinary blog about what makes cultures “thick” (public discourse, multiculturalism, technology, and civic engagement)."

http://thesocietypages.org/thickculture/

I have just recently been exposed to the endless possibilities Twitter offers in the social media world. I instantly became addicted. Within seconds, I can inform the world my opinion & qualms on everything from Nordstrom's private clearance sale to the annual mass murdering of 27,000 dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Twitter is great like that. You can be involved with so many various conversations there are no limits. I've been involved in conversations about PR, local non-profit organizations, celebrities, health & fitness. Just about anything that I find intriguing. Which is why I found this posting to be of importance to our multicultural & diversity in technology class discussion.

The author addresses the trends of Twitter within black culture. A currently top trending hashtag, #ghettospellingbee is the focus of this discussion. This hashtag is basically a joke. Users poke fun at the cultural use of language by black people. For example, "#ghettospellingbee TaeKwonDo: I'm bout to go knock on taekwondo and see if he home." Another, " INITIATE: Me and big keisha was chillin right, first she ate all the watermelon, initiate all the chicken."

So basically they are making fun of "ghetto slang." But the posting also brings up this point:

“Black people—specifically, young black people—do seem to use Twitter differently from everyone else on the service. They form tighter clusters on the network—they follow one another more readily, they retweet each other more often, and more of their posts are @-replies—posts directed at other users. It’s this behavior, intentional or not, that gives black people—and in particular, black teenagers—the means to dominate the conversation on Twitter.”

 I just feel like African Americans sometimes take their stereotype and run with it, but then if a non-black joins in they are so quickly called a racist. African Americans are the ones who are mostly contributing to this conversation.

So some questions I have concerning this are...
- Do different cultures & racial groups utilize social media outlets like Twitter for significantly different purposes?
- If black cultures use social media outlets to exploit & poke fun at their stereotypes; What majority really finds humor in them?
- Search #whitegirlproblems -- Ex: "Beatrice the Kindle officially broken. Whomp. Thanks to Amazon CS for helping me out & sending me a new one this week. "Do all cultural groups find humor in their own idiosyncrasies?