“Cultural studies can show how media culture manipulates and indoctrinates us, and thus can empower individuals to resist the dominant meanings in media cultural products and to produce their own meanings” (Gender, Race, and Class in Media, 12). I think this quote sufficiently articulates the reason why cultural studies has become such a prominent field of study in recent years. The media is a reflection of who we are as a culture, but it also can be manipulative and reinforce negative, longstanding ideologies that our culture is fighting against.
I’ll use the example of racism. The ideology that whites are superior to all other races was once accepted and upheld by American’s political, social, and economic systems. Throughout history and even today, we as a culture are fighting against it. But is the media helping or hurting the progress we’re making? In some instances, I think we are making real progress. The white, blond haired classic American looking individual is no longer the only type of person we see in our advertisements, news programs, TV shows, or movies. The Dove “Real Beauty” campaign ad is a great example of this.
However, if we look closely and critically at many articles of media, we can find blatant examples of the ideology of racism being reinforced and upheld in some of the most unexpected places. Henry A. Giroux analyzed Disney films with a critical eye towards themes of racism, sexism, etc. He writes, “Racially coded language is also evident in The Lion King, as members of the royal family speak with posh British accents while Shenzi and Banzai, the despicable hyena storm troopers, speak through the voices of Whoopi Goldburg and Cheech Marin in racially coded accents that take on the nuances of the discourse of decidedly urban black and Latino youth.”
Cultural studies is such an important field because of the power it has to disable or enable change in our society. Once people are aware of the ideologies being upheld by even the most (seemingly the most) innocent of media sources, such as Disney, the first step in changing societal norms has been completed. Cultural studies is in essence the tool that gives people the power to make significant changes in our culture.
I would totally agree with that Erica. I do think alot of the battle has to do with people not simply accepting media at face value. Not to say that there's always an ulterior motive, but I think people should start to ask "What is my idea of normal, and why?"
ReplyDeleteThe stout British accents of the lions is accepted as standard fare in portraying cartoon royalty, but why?
The images that frighten us within our dreams are often the most powerful indicators of our core beliefs. And good story images are based on those images. Cartoons use these images of fear and excitment to create characters.
ReplyDeleteWith that in mind, we should consider the images being used right now both on the right and the left to scare people in the most politicized issue of our time: healthcare.
The signs displayed at the Conservative Rally in Washington, D.C. are thus particularly disturbing.