Response to Tatum and McIntosh

I am intrigued by the readings written by Tatum and McIntosh. I feel as if being a part of this generation has helped out on racial differences a lot. Tatum makes a few points that I have never actually considered. One being that White people receive systematic benefits from simply being white compared to those who are of a different color. Thinking about it, he is right. If I took a resume into an office for a job as a receptionist at the same time that someone of another race did, I would most likely get the job over them. Not being cocky, just stating the sad, but true facts. This is aggravating to think about. Why are people so nitpicky and judgmental when it comes down to black person or white person or Asian or American? It’s not fair to those who receive all kinds of disadvantages from because of their race.
Another thing that stuck out to me in Tatum’s writing was the part where the African American woman speaks. She says, “I can describe myself as light-skinned, well-educated, heterosexual, able bodied, Christian, African American woman.” Why should this person have problems receiving aid and other advantages? The world seems to be telling us it’s because she is black. Yes, anyone can admit to being a well rounded person but the color of their skin or their type of gender should never effect their chances of others trusting what they say. Sure there have been black people lie to make themselves look good on paper, but hey, white people do it every day. And yes, there are crime and other bad things that seem to relate back to one of another race. Is it too much to ask for the world to think harder about these situations? Could it be in fact that anger is apparent more so in people of color rather than whites because they are not trusted? Because the outside world is extremely anti-accepting of gender or race difference?
I say this in respect of white people as well. It doesn’t give others the right to be racist just because it’s how they have been treated. This world needs a matureness to feed off of. Until the day comes that the population as a whole can open their eyes and see that there is absolutely no internal differences between races this place will remain hot tempered on too many topics concerning racial difference and prejudices.

This reading over advertisement's way of making women what it wants them to be is SO true! It's crazy how the media has such an influence on nearly every being and we have a tough time realizing how much it actually does effect us. Today women and men are both scrutinized and then recreated into whatever the world demands of us. Women seem to be a super target for the media. According to the assigned reading, maybe this is so because we are in fact more intrigued by the advertisements than men are. Think about it, if men actually were half as influenced by advertisements and the pressure of the media, there would be more advertising directed towards a male audience. Now this is not to say that men are not a target audience, however, the advertisement for a man is usually a woman. Which is semi degrading to women, even though we have been taught and forced to think that this particular attention is great. Anytime a man views a woman as sexy, or women are portrayed as sexy, cute, glamorous, etc. we tend to be proud of that as females. Or seeing it advertised like this forces us to feel less that mediocre. In my own opinion I don't agree that any of these two beliefs are healthy for women. Number one, were is the self respect, the gentleness, the ladylike ways? And why does the world think that it is best we all conform to this way of thinking? Number two, what good is there in having no self esteem? Neither of these demands are good at all. I wish women AND the media (completely) would open up to a more positive, real, unique outlook. I can only imagine how much better everything would be if advertisements shifted to an encouragement rather than a beating and women began finding comfort in the uniqueness that they were created.
And speaking of advertisements, I found it very interesting to learn how the world of advertising actually works. Which might explain my attitude in this response. It's unfair!! Ugh, they try and think extremely hard to find ways of getting into minds and conforming them so that they can simply sell a silly product. Which is exactly where all the problems begin. How can men find an innocence in thinking, women find self respect and security, and this "beauty contest of life" find its way off of this never ending ornamental path with the creepers we call "media" prying their way into our minds?

The Amazing Runaways

Last Thursday night I attended The Runaways concert at the Backdoor Playhouse. Having heard of the runaways many many times I decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed the band. Their style was super sweet. My favorite thing about them was their comfort in the indivuals that they are. Not only were they there "performing" they were also opening up with entertainment, technical difficulties, random jokes, and just kinda freely doing their thing. Super talented group of guys! Lots of enjoyment and chill time for me and my friends.