One of the most talked about themes of our blogs I believe to be is - image... self-image, media images, stereotypical images, etc etc... No doubt this topic is a major part of our lives, we literally see some type of image that portrays a cultural ideal/norm every day. How much influence do they have on our lives, I would argue that they have tremendous influence, but they lack substance. We are the ones responsible for fueling or filling them with substance, with meaning, ultimately with power. We allow these images to conflate or rather, deflate, our understanding of self, and consequently these images prevail. How can we take the power out of the traditional picture/image of woman? By giving power to a different image-
Flip-flip-flip-
Magazine cover to centerfold- Rip!
36-24-36
Measurements of perfection...
Idealized image...
Stored in brains of teenage angst,
How-to-Diets mixed with new fashion fads,
Bangs above the brow,
Boho braids in the Fall
Flip-flip-flip-
From page to page
Read how societies coming of age,
Less is more-
Skin bares all-
Which new trend will make you look small?
These jeans over those
Sexy vs. Skanky-
Learn what your style really shows about your personality.
Flip-flip-flip-
To get a grip, on how or who you should be.
Read between the lines to see
That the image is just fantasy.
Flip-flip-flip-
Don't read, just rip-
Away from the facade, get a grip and see
That what society portrays
Isn't real, Isn't me.
The thing that I find most interesting in the poem that you wrote is the line "Learn what your style really shows about your personality." I have often seen this type of quiz/article in magazines and I never thought much about it until now. What does your style say about you? Did you submit to the male gaze enough for said magazine to deem you "stylish" is what it is saying to me. This goes back to what we discussed in class about being rewarded for submitting to the male gaze--if you dress a certain way then you are said to be beautiful, sexy, and stylish. If not, then I guess you aren't included in magazine quizzes and are not seen as being "fully feminine," since being feminine equals being attractive to men!
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