“I get out my work and have a show for myself before I have it publicly. I make up my own mind about it–how good or bad or indifferent it is. After that the critics can write what they please. I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free.” Quote by the late Georgia O’Keeffee.

I recently took an art course and was exposed to an artist by the name of Georgia O’Keeffe. Our discussions on this particular individual and her artwork sparked much controversy. I thought for my final blog I would gauge the reaction of my fellow classmates.

Georgia O’Keeffe was a key female artist in American art from the 1920s. “She spent much of her life trying to escape attempts by critics and well-meaning public to read her life in her work.” (302) Apparently, “critics” back in that era were just like our modern day Paparazzi.

Today, many critics are still struggling to label this artist. Many try to place her in a category of progressives, while others fight to uphold her name and artwork as being conservative. She is just one of the many women that are scrutinized in the media for a talent that others feel the need to interpret.
Please take a look at the following website where you can view many of O’Keeffe’s works of art.

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS331US332&q=georgia+o’keeffe&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=PYb4So-iB83ElAff6v3xCg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBkQsAQwAA

Do you view these works of art as sexual in nature or are they beautiful, vibrant, feminine and innocent in nature?

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/O/okeefe.html

Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art, and Society. New York: Thames & Hudson, Inc., 2007.

A friend of mind recently emailed me a few pictures of Queen Elizabeth II and as I par oozed through them I couldn’t help and think, “Wow, she’s been around for ages!” Queen Elizabeth II is the third-longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. She has been in power longer than all four of her predecessors combined. Unbelievable! She has such style and dignity and through it all she demands respect. What are some of your feelings? Below I have a few pictures of Queen Elizabeth II posing with many different Presidents. Do you think you can name all the Presidents? Take a closer look at her posture too. Do you notice how her hands are usually together? What do you think this means and why? Regardless, is there any other woman that you know of who has had an opportunity to meet so many distinguished individuals? Though I’ve read several tabloids that portrayed the monarch negatively, and it was mostly after the passing of Princess Diana, I am extremely impressed at how the Queen has managed to deflect any conflicting attention. Is the media being too soft on her, or is a magical and talented marketing or press team responsible for her image. Clearly, she has a talented team. Is her image real, or is it Memorex?

http://www.royal.gov.uk/

We all remember the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal. Hillary Clinton stood by his side and has been with him till today. Some speculate it was for her own political gain. Nevertheless, we had our former governor, Elliot Spitzer, resign after a prostitution scandal was uncovered and yet his wife Silda stood next to him at the press conference. I can’t imagine why these women would allow themselves to be publicly humiliated.

There appears to be a pattern when a woman is involved in personal turmoil because it yields high profits for the media industry. The subjective nature of which stories make it through editing require a comprehensive examination of who is sitting on the editorial board. When a male dominated board is driving the agenda, they make sure that women are categorized as objects towards satisfying their sexuality, and they demonstrate a different avenue of public humiliation when a woman doesn’t meet that criteria. Sex may not be the only driving force behind sales. This points to a disparity to men who are scrutinized. For example, Bill Clinton was glorified while Monica Lewinsky was condemned, yet they both played a part in an affair. Do you think the media is biased and favors men?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/nyregion/10cnd-spitzer.html

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/resources/lewinsky/timeline/

This weekend, our household had a debate about Carrie Prejean. My daughter and I enjoy watching beauty pageants and my husband enjoys the infamous Larry King Live, so it all tied in together. After watching the behavior demonstrated by Ms. Prejean on Larry King, I can only thank my lucky stars she is not representing the USA in any more pageants. I felt I had turned on a movie where a rich, snobby girl was not getting her way and was getting ready to throw a hissy fit.

However, what I want to blog about isn’t the issue that she may have poorly handled herself during a CNN interview. That’s evident and her behavior doesn’t contribute, nor help women overall. Watch for yourself.

However, what I would specifically like to discuss is the questioning and aftermath of what happened in the 2009 pageant. Ms. Prejean came in as the runner-up to the Miss USA pageant and many believe it was due to the controversial and politically-charged question relating to gay marriage. She took a firm position against gay marriage, and she did so with three judges on the panel being gay. Though I may not agree with her position, I must say that it was not only brave of her, but may redefine how questions are asked in the future. This is a case where you get what you ask for.

Is it appropriate for a divisive question to be asked at such a venue? Did Ms. Prejean handle it appropriately? Did she suffer any consequences for her position? What do you think? Just a few days later, topless photographs of her began to surface. At first, she denied them. She eventually recollected taking them. Ultimately, she was replaced as Miss California and removed as the runner up in the USA pageant. Did the media give Ms. Prejean more attention at this pageant than it deserved?

At glance, this pure, Christian, young woman doesn’t appear to be everything she’s claiming to be. Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHPSTz0eANU

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/11/05/2009-11-05_carrie_prejean_sex_tape_forced_exmiss_californias_lawsuit_settlement_report_.html

When you examine more closely, the female athlete’s dedication to sports must be moderated by extreme ladylike character traits. God forbid she is seen as cutthroat, over-aggressive, hostile, or butch-like. The woman athlete, as preferred by modern media, is effectively an attractive, highly feminized young woman with a talent for her sport. Those women who are in sexually-energized sports gain more attraction and attention by males.

I’ve been told that modern media selects the showcasing of female athletes as women first, and athletes second. This is true. While male athletes are almost always filmed and photographed in ways that augment their physical strengths, female athletes are most frequently filmed or photographed wearing swimsuits, in their kitchens or homes, or with their families. Male athletes are also frequently shown lounging comfortably in sports jackets or suits, advertising such merchandise as cell phones, cologne, or cars. Most ads I’ve seen from female athletes appear to suggest that something else is being offered.

Here is an interesting video for you to watch on this issue:

You decide. Thoughts?

What the heck does this mean? Just take a look at it and try to make sense of it. Stumbled? Most people are. It’s actually a message that came from your daughter, the one you allow – like myself – to have a cell phone with unlimited texting.

Translation: Too good to be true. I’m gone. My parents are no longer watching. So at the end of the day, let’s hook up. Got Ecstasy?

Call it a sign of the times, all part of the tech-kid evolution. Most teens are like a duck to water when it comes to instant messaging and mobile text messaging, where acronyms and slang can be used to keep outsiders guessing. Boys and girls are relatively close at texting, but girls are more advanced with texting codes. For parents who likely aren’t as comfortable with IM slang: PAW means “parents are watching”; MOS is “mom over shoulder”; and CD9 means “Code 9″ for when parents are around. And if you think that your kid may be having a normal conversation the moment you take a glance, you should be warned that the code regarding your presence in the room may have already been sent.

Despite the secrecy, Internet-savvy parents have more and more tools to decipher the code, causing a kind of chat-and-mouse game. Today, parents are turning to sites like NoSlang.com, Teenangels.org and Teenchatdecoder.com for their acronym dictionaries–much to the disgust of teens.

Nervous? I am, and you need to pay attention to this jargon, especially if you have a kid.

My daughter invited over her best friend to stay for this weekend. Common, nothing new about it. However, I never hear noise in the house or room anymore. Two girls, both in a house and they’re making no noise? It’s as if nobody is around. I walked into her room and see both of these kids texting on the phone. Not really sure who they’re texting, but sometimes they even text each other even though they’re right next to one another. Think I’m kidding?

Is this generation comfortable living without having an actual conversation?

http://www.noslang.com/

http://teenchatdecoder.com/

http://teenangels.org/

 
Episode 509 – “To be a true California girl, you need blonde hair, blue eyes and a great tan — and Savannah’s got it all. But good looks aren’t the only weapon she has in her arsenal; she’s also got lots of dough. This is Savannah.”

Episode 412 –“This Latino/Jewish prepster,” named Rachael, “is an only child who’s used to getting everything she wants. And what she wants right now is a party worthy of My Super Sweet 16. Her theme is a Winter Wonderland, because she loves the snow.”

Tune into the latest episodes of MTV’s Super Sweet Sixteen and you’ll get a taste of what money and the media can do for – or against – the image of a young woman. I must admit that my daughter and I find ourselves DVR-ing the newest episodes. Its entertainment and we enjoy it. Some parents may bar its household viewing. I allow it.

MTV Super Sweet Sixteen shows are not always on young women. They’ve managed to throw in a couple of young men turning sixteen, eighteen, or twenty-one. Male shows may be worthy of a mention, but they fail in comparison of quantity with women. Further, the ones I’ve examined portray the male differently.

Male Episode Quotes:

Episode 706 – “Bow Wow, hip-hop phenomenon who hit the charts at the young age of thirteen, is a hard worker, but he makes sure he has time to still kick it and be a kid.”

Episode 609 – “Etienne Maurice is seen by all his friends as the popular kid, and there’s a reason why: he loves to have fun.”

That’s what’s selling in today’s market. Women CAN throw bash-of-the-century parties. However, most are portrayed as spoiled and getting anything they want. Males manage to be glorified or responsibly presented.

Hey! Got boobs, and money? You’re in, but you need to act like a spoiled brat. First, you have to open up that wallet so we can take a look – just to see if you qualify. After all, this show is about glitz and glamour. Interesting!

I find myself not being able to do enough when throwing a birthday party for my daughter and it’s because of the way I was raised, not necessarily what’s in my wallet. Gathering family in the backyard for a celebration is a no-no in my household and family. Heck, doing so acts like any other ordinary weekend – nothing special about it. I’m not the type of person to throw pizza party or wing-ding birthdays. I wasn’t brought up that way, not part of my south Florida lifestyle. Growing up, everything was over-the-top and I got to pick the topping. Oh yea, my parents didn’t watch MTV. Parties were influenced culturally, not necessarily media-related. My father doesn’t watch television and didn’t have one growing up in Communist Cuba – try that for a lifestyle. That’s why I can reaffirm its totally cultural in my case. Gatherings were common and private, but parties were essentially deserving of being different and wonderfully explosive. I’m an only child – benefiting from one party of the year – every year. I must add that party planning was highly competitive in my family and community.

My daughter recently turned eleven-years-old last June and her party had all of the toppings just like me. She’s an only child too and each year I look to outdo the previous year. This time, my husband and I rented out the Fuze Box for a private party, hired a DJ, and gave her all of the extras, from 2,000 Mardi-Gras beads to sushi platters. If she wanted it, she got it. Over 150 kids, family, and friends showed up to celebrate and were scattered over two floors of fun. Did MTV influence me? You’ll probably say it did – and I’ll tell you that you’re right. Ever since MTV, I felt the need to step up the game compared to my parties when I was younger, but that’s because the next generation has different needs and styles compared to when I was a kid. I embrace the individuality of it.

BAD PARENTS! WASTE! OMG, YOU’RE HAVING A PARTY IN A NIGHT CLUB? I’M NOT ALLOWING MY KID TO GO THERE. WHO’S GOING TO WATCH FOR DRUGS? We’ve heard it all.

Look at these kids. Do they look as if they’re running home to watch Barney or Looney Tunes? No.
Times are changing before our eyes and MTV is part of it. This party is exactly what the kids wanted – and some may say what they needed – an outlet when not many resources are available for kids to have fun like this. If I was back in south Florida, this party wouldn’t even qualify as a party. It would be merely a hiccup of an event. However, for Albany standards, it’s one hell of a deal.

I felt as if I shouldn’t do this event because the significant negativity from parents who tried to steer us from hosting it. DRUGS, THE RUMBLES, WHO WILL CHECK FOR WEAPONS, THEY’LL HAVE SEX IN THE BATHROOMS, ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE THEM LIQUOR? I swear, you can’t make this stuff up. Even the school teachers were shocked and advised against it. Nothing is more motivational when I feel all odds are against me, especially when I feel as if I am right. Eventually, even the parents who offered great criticism changed tune about it. Only five of Janelly’s friends didn’t make the party because of parental ignorance. So my husband and I had 2.5% extra sushi, food, and cake. Big deal! We ate it.

On the other hand, Janelly deserved this party and that’s why we did it. Not sex, drugs, rock and roll, or MTV. This girl deserved it. Last year, we stripped her from all of her friends with a move to Albany from Florida. This was her first year in Albany schools and we worried about her transition. She was skipped a grade by the school district upon arrival and went from the fourth grade directly into the sixth grade. She’s the youngest sixth grader ever in the modern history of the school district. In the end, she finished the year with perfect attendance, again. That’s six years in a row, all of her elementary years. She graduated the sixth grade with the highest grade average of her school. She received too many awards from elected officials from all over the state. She played her first year in Little League and actually made the all-star team and started at 2nd base. Again, well-rounded, respectful, committed, and she deserved it.

Maybe eleven is not a historic coming-of-age year for any birthday, but I’m a modern mom willing to push the envelope and not conform to traditional scripture, values, or any generated code out there. It’s how I’m raising my daughter. It’s her job to earn these types of parties, and when she does, she’s rewarded. It’s my job to provide it, plan for it, and help demonstrate to her how to execute it – and have her involvement through it all. I’m teaching the business woman of the next generation. I’m giving her the independence to explore and plan her future by allowing her to reap the benefits when earned.

GREAT PARENTS, HORRIBLE PARENTS, SPOILED KID, GREAT KID, DAMMED MTV…WHO CARES!

So I need to get back to watching MTV in preparation for her party next year anticipating more complaints and controversy. Janelly wants a FOAM-BATHING SUIT-BASH kind of like the images below.

According to my all-liberal husband, he says, “BRING IT ON.” He totally supports his daughter and is already laying the groundwork to rent a large canopy and inflatable bounce-house boarder; the foam machine will be elevated to the top of the canopy, strobe lights installed, and thumping “Blade-Style” music. Bring your own bathing suit. We’re already recruiting adult supervision from the parents of the kids attending – parents must get in the foam too– just to make sure things stay fun and not get out-of-hand. Check back with me in about 9 months and you might just get an invitation, or feel free to join the others complaining about some good old fun.

Thanks MTV, but you guys really need to lay off the sexism, as the creativity of each show is inspiring enough. And you might just come knocking on my door before my daughter turns sixteen because she’ll have lots of experience at party planning. If you’re going to ask to film her party, you’ll need to exempt my wallet. We don’t host her annual birthday bash due to wealth or fame – not wealthy, not famous. Each year is a celebration of growth and accomplishments – all missing in each of your episodes. Without merit, Janelly’s 16 would simply become just another show. That’s not good enough for me – no matter how much money I don’t have.

http://www.mtv.com/shows/sweet_16/series.jhtml

“We’ve help cast actors for such blockbusters as Twilight.”

“We’re looking for the next Disney star and no talent is necessarily needed.  However, if you sing, dance, act and model, you stand a better chance.  After all, that’s what Nickelodeon is looking for.”

This is only a snapshot of the comments that were spewing from the executives for the The’ casting call.  Executive staff was not necessarily glancing at the young girls who attended this Saturday screening at the Hilton Hotel in Troy, but instead were focused on the image and wealth of the parents.  It was all one glorified scheme.

 That’s right, I said it – SCHEME.

The day commenced with what appeared to be well trained staff greeting kids and families.  Rules and regulations, along with the necessary disclaimers, were all passed out to each family.  We were shuffled to a holding pen and awaited a video that profiled what The’ were really selling.  It wasn’t a casting call, per se and as advertised, but a marketing scheme to get families to participate in a week-long competition to be held on a Disney property. 

I guess if you can’t have a contract from Mickey Mouse directly, the next best thing is to make parents feel as if he’s watching the event.  Therefore, if you hold the venue on a Disney property, it must be legitimate, right?

Throughout the video, parents closely examined kids that looked happily ordinary.  I didn’t see any glamour, talent, or any real reason that would make one possibly think that those kids in the video would be capable of winning anything.  However, the kids in the video were the winners of cash a prizes offered by The’.   My immediate reaction was that my child would be a sure-shot at taking this thing, smart, attractive, talented, OMG – In the bag! 

As we neared conclusion of the event, organizers instructed me to contact them via email to determine if my daughter was selected to advance to the competition.  If so, they would need my immediate payment of $5,000 due in full tomorrow.  We were shuffled to another room where my daughter would read from a script in front of a camera.  My husband took a look at the camera and noticed that it wasn’t recording.

Nice!

To me, it’s despicable to use children and build up their confidence just to exploit them, as what was happening at this event.  Granted, the event may be real, cash prizes may be awarded, but I am skeptical of it all.  These types of marketing schemes are worse compared to regularly advertised commercials targeting girls and children. 

I simply believe that the $5,000 would be best invested in a pre-paid college tuition plan for my daughter compared to a completion-gimmick.  Thoughts?

http://www.lovethespotlight.info/

http://www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=838584

Many individuals right off the bat would side with this young lady. She looks like a good, wholesome, girl next door and she’s giving her story as (she states) it happened, but with most stories there are three sides. Since we have been discussing the role media plays in women and how they exploit them. Let’s share how in this particular article Ms. Smith (which I have never met) has manipulated the media for her own personal vengeance and to do nothing more than slander a man’s name in community he has served for over thirty years. Granted, the reporter should have done due diligence and researched his story prior to running it ten days before an election, but sex scandals sale and that was its intent – MONEY.

“I’m not going to hit them in the change purse, which is what seems to matter to people, then I’ll hit them in the court of public opinion.”

I take offense to this quote and to this article. I too, like many would’ve probably sided with this young lady if it weren’t for my daughter’s friend who read the article and stated she had heard of Ms. Smith and Ms. Aubrey-Almy and what they were stating and how they were portraying themselves were all lies. Within minutes, I found pictures on MySpace and Facebook that would challenge the credibility and intent of these young ladies. The fact is that they manipulated the reporter to get what they want. Were they really victims or were they using this scandal as a means to destroy his chances in office?

If it was so easy for me to find pictures, blogs, and quotes from these ladies (if I posted all their information, I would be writing for days), why wasn’t it just as easy for the reporter who wrote the article to research the credibility of such “victims”. I did more research on this entire story and in my opinion if an “alleged” sexual harassment case took place over twenty two months ago, why wouldn’t you have said something sooner? Why would you not have fought harder and gone to the police, attorney or exposed it twenty two months ago? Why now? Were they being compensated by the opponent running for office against the accused? We will never know, but one thing is for sure. These ladies bamboozled the media by playing the damsel in distress card and they weren’t.

                                                                                        YOU DECIDE……