Media Effects

For my assignment this week, my task was to look at a mass medium, television, movies, music, etc. that could send messages that were unfavorable, cruel or offensive.  For my medium I chose look at rap music and how it portrays women, both negatively and positively.

After review three secondary articles, I have come to the belief that rap music portrays women in a negative way that is degrading towards them.

I looked at three secondary articles that all had the same message in regards to women and rap music. 

My first article described rap music as, making women sexual objects.  Because black males perform most rap music, the females described in the music are black females.  These females are seen as being Eurocentric, with thinner noses and lips, as well as longer, thinner hair.  These characteristics are not typical black female characteristics and the article claims that is a form of degrading from the artists.  Finally the article states that, even female rap artists, like Lil’ Kim, portray themselves as sexual objects and makes themselves in role of submissiveness and again as a sexual object (Conrad et. al.).

The second article read, continued that the art of rapping is sexist.  It states that rapping is a paradigm, which Cary Greenwood told us was a set of rules and regulations that establishes boundaries.  The article says, in simpler terms, that in order for rap artists to be successful they must follow the rules of rapping, set forth by previous rappers.  The rule set, in the case of women is that, the women always needs to look submissive and never as strong as the man.  But this rule also needs to be used in a tasteful manner, which some contributors to this article are saying is not happening (Dixon, Linz).

The final article used, was a study conducted where the participants watched rap music videos and asked about their sexual attitudes towards the music and video itself.  Most of males questioned were most of the music and videos, while most of the females saw the videos as degrading towards women.  Some of the females thought that the women in the music and videos were acting and being treated like sex toys and every man’s sexual dream.  Some of the participants, male or female, did not see any gender separation between males and females in these songs or videos and thought that the roles were correct for the each sex (Arganbright,Lee).

My grounds are relevant to my claim because I found three secondary journal articles that all deal with this degrading of women in rap music.  Each article contains various facts and opinions that support my claim.

Some readers might argue that rap music is an art form that only enhances the human spirit and gives meaning to gender roles.  Also, the idea of free speech can be argued here.  That rap is a form of free speech and what is said is not always meant literally.  However, I believe that no one, male or female, should be degraded and but down for the purpose of entertainment.    

I listen to rap music quite often and I see this idea of degrading and unfavorable behavior to women in it all the time.  I am not one however to stop someone from doing what they love to do based on what they perceive others to be.  As we have found out, most rap stars see women as sex toys, but that is only their opinion.  But my findings matter on in the sense to show that this is a real problem., that the female gender is being put down for entertainment.  I choose not to question why this happens, but only bring awareness to it.

Sources:

Arganbright, Michelle, and Moon Lee. “Effects of Hip-Hop Music Video Exposure on the Sexual Attitudes of Young Adults.” Conference Papers — International Communication Association (2007).

Conrad, Katie, Travis Dixon, and Yuanyuan Zhang. “Current Images in Rap Music: A Content Analysis.” Onference Papers — International Communication Association (2007).

Dixon, Travis L., and Daniel G. Linz. “Obscenity law and sexually explicit rap music: Understanding the effects of sex, attitudes, and beliefs.” Journal of Applied Communication Research 25.

Mainstream and Alternative Media

For this week’s blog post, I was asked to monitor both mainstream and alternative media sources and describe the difference of each.  So you might ask yourself, what are mainstream and alternative media sources?  Well to tell you the truth, I had no idea either until I looked them up.  I happened to out of town on the day these two topics were discussed, but with the magic of the internet I came up with two definitions.  First, mainstream media; the large media sources that look at their audience as consumers and finds ways to maximize their profit, instead of just giving the news.  Alternative media, on the other hand, focuses on the individual.  Although it is less popular, it is more informative and is not trying to make a profit from the work it is doing. So as part of my assignment I looked at two media sources, a mainstream, CNN, and an alternative, Democracy Now!  I chose to look at the print media of each media source.

The mainstream media source, CNN, covered many different stories.  Most of the stories covered had to do with the election and getting ready for Election Day.  Other topics discussed included the economy and job cuts, the war, some entertainment and health news, a wide variety of topics.  There seemed to be just on side of each story and not much opinion.  The stories purpose was to just get the news across and be more informative.  In most of the stories expert interviews were used to add an appeal for authority to for the news the writer was trying convey.  The mainstream media source seemed very straight forward and almost boring to me.  It was just the news and nothing else.

The alternative media source, Democracy Now!, dealt with complete governmental issues.  The print media in this source consisted of many articles regarding the election and it almost followed each candidates every move.  A lot of the articles covered were on issues involving Obama and McCain and how each of them was running their campaign in the final weeks.  There were even some articles that seemed very personal regarding the election.  One in particular was on how an Obama volunteer was harassed while at a rally in Wisconsin.  This was more than just news it was a real life event that only alternative media sources would publish.  There did not seem to be too much opinion in the articles.  The articles were easier to read and definitely would appeal to more people.  Again, there were expert interviews that added more substance to the articles and the sources seemed to come from each election campaign or even from the mainstream media.  On this site, in particular, these stories could also be read in Spanish.  

I learned after comparing these two media sources that, if you want the news, go mainstream, and if you want news that will make sense, go alternative.  Both sources, were great sources for information, but each had completely different ways of creating the story.  The alternative sources seemed to go a little more in depth into the topics, while the mainstream sources, just seemed to skim the top.  

This assignment has opened my eyes to alternative media sources and as I look for news I might now have to take a look at them to understand and get more out of the news and the stories of the world.

Election 2008 – In the Media

For my second blog and assignment this week, I was asked to to monitor three days of election coverage from a media source.  This source could have been a newspaper, twenty-four hour news station, or a news radio station.  Tiffany, my professor, asked us to look at the roles the media created in these different sources, based on the book, “The Press Effect,” written by Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Paul Waldman.  I also have used Toulmin’s model to format my argument.

For my media source, I decided to use a newspaper.  I love reading the newspaper, whenever I can get my hands on one so I thought this would be a good source to cover.  I didn’t want to do a newspaper that everyone was familiar with, so I decided to use my local hometown newspaper, The Californian.  I read the online version of the paper, from Saturday, October 11, 2008 through Monday, October 13, 2008.  When I was back home, there were always a lot of stories on politics and the election, in the paper but it almost seems that the newspaper has lost interest in the election.

I believe that The Californian, did a terrible job of covering the election over the past three days.  There is serious need for improvement and more concern for this magnitude of this election.

The only articles I was able to find in this newspaper, the past three days, were letters written by others regarding the candidates or issues that had something to do with the election itself.  By only having letters that covered the election, The Californian was playing the “press as storyteller,” role.  The newspaper allowed others to tell their opinions and give there own stories on the candidates and the election in general.  On Saturday, October 11, for example, the main topic of the letters or articles was Sarah Palin.  Almost ever letter written was on how the Vice Presidential nominee was not qualified for the vice presidency or how she was just like one of us.  No where in the paper or letters did the words, Barack Obama or John McCain, come up.  On Sunday, October 12, the letters got a little bit better.  There continued to be comments against Sarah Palin and how unqualified she was, but also came in the remarks against John McCain.  Some letters stated how McCain will only continue President Bush’s presidency and how we need to “clean the mud off the White House.”  Other anti-McCain, Obama supporters, stated that both McCain and Palin were distorting the truth about Obama and not believe a word they were saying.  On the subject of Barack Obama, only two negative letters came from this day.  One letter stated, how Obama’s economic policy would hurt our economy even more and did not help the country at all.  The second letter questioned Obama’s influences.  The author of this letter questioned how the media was portraying Obama and wanted the media to expose his “radical past and abnormal attraction to extremists.”  They were worried about Obama’s hidden agenda for America.  On the final day of looking at my source, Monday, October 13, once again the main topic was Mrs. Sarah Palin herself.  Letters regarding how she was not ready, along with John McCain, to run the country.  One letter even described all the tactics the Republicans are using to get out of the low polls and position they are in.  The author asked the readers, “Are those the type of people we want running our country?”  One letter also asked the question, who is more uready, Obama or Palin?  The author encouraged voters to vote for the candidate that has more experience all together.  His answer, Sarah Palin, because of John McCain.  The final election related letter came from a author who just urged everyone to vote.  Put all of our differences aside and just get there and do what is right for the country.  All of these letters/articles seemed to be very well written and each had a very interesting points, opinions, and facts to back up those points.

Because my media source, The Californian, did not even have an article covering the election, over the past three days, I cannot give a very good answer regarding what step in Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Paul Waldman book “The Press Effect,” is the most effective.  From experience though, I can say that “press as custodian,” is the most important role.  It brings in the reader and allows them to feel like they know all the information, even if they have never heard that word or phrase before.  It provides and insight into the history of the topic and explores what that topic is about and relevant to.  It is the only role that engages the reader and keeps them wanted to read the article.

The media, newspaper, radio, television, plays a huge role in this election.  It is the way to communicate to the country and the world all the issues and things you should know about the candidate and the election itself.  I do wish that the newspaper I chose created a little more emphasis on the election, but as I looked at the major news stories happening in Southern California, the election was not as important, these past three days.  The media has played a huge role in my views of the candidates and even effected my opinions on certain issues.  It is a strong influence on everyone who uses some part of it in their daily lives.

Welcome!

Welcome one, welcome all, to my first ever blog post.  

These past few weeks have been full of new experiences for me.  I began a new chapter in my life; moved away from the only state I’ve ever known, began a long four year journey and became independent.  I walked into a world of people I have never seen before in my life and had to adapt, both mentally and emotionally.  Got any guesses on what my journey might be?  If you guessed going on a mission trip to Africa, your wrong.  Actually, I entered what is known as college.  

The University of Oregon is my home now for the next four years.  I don’t think I have ever had so many new experiences in my life.  First, I moved away from my home state of California.  I left good old, pleasantville USA, Temecula and headed up to one of the most liberal states and cities in the nation, good old Eugene, Oregon.  I left warm, sunny, Southern California for cold, rainy, Oregon.  Yeah my friends thought I was crazy too!!  I had to force myself to meet new people.  I had to initiate conversation and create relationships with people I had never seen in my life before! In high school I was always the nice guy who everyone loved to be around and who liked getting to know new people.  Now that I was in a place where no one new me, I didn’t know them, I felt like a lost that confidence I had in high school.  But that is where I had to learn to become independent.  I had to create an impression on these people. I had to make sure that they wanted to get to know and that I was that god guy everyone seemed to like. I grew up faster in two weeks than I did in two years in high school. I am still learning all about this great new adventure of mine and I am excited to continue the journey.

The last part of my new journey, is just this, writing this blog.  I normally am the type of person to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself, or tell them to a certain group of people I can trust.  I never would have thought I would eventually put my opinions on the internet for all to read!! But that is something I am learning on this journey.  Sometime we have to do things, even if we wouldn’t normally do them.  So normally I wouldn’t do this, but the whole reason I am blogging is for my Mass Media and Society class at the University of Oregon.  J201 is a Pre-Journalism and a required course for all students wanting to pursue at degree in journalism.  In this class we must keep a blog and write our assignments on the blog.  So instead of writing a long, 5 page essay, or orally giving a presentation, or taking a final exam, we just get to blog about it! We will be blogging about various issues and topics facing the mass media and society.  Out first assignment has to do with the media and their portrayal of the 2008 Presidential Elections, so look out for another post from me in the coming days.  Like I said I would not normally blog, but I think this will be fun! It will keep the class interesting and be a nice change from typical college assignments.

So enough about my new experiences, you probably want to know a little about me. Briefly, my name is Jacob Rahn. I’m from Southern California, a freshman at the University of Oregon studying Journalism, I was very involved in high school; varsity mascot, Editor-in-Chief Yearbook, Student Government, just to name a few.  I chose the U of O for there Journalism department and I absolutely love this area.  I have a wonderful family, very typical American family, at least I think so and awesome friends! My motto in life is LIVE IN THE MOMENT, and I live my life everyday following that.  I am excited for what the future holds and even more excited that now I can share my future with all of you that have actually read this far! 

Like I always say, this is going to a crazy ride, so just hold on tight!!