Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Diminishing dream thanks to media
Growing up I didn't have a dream of becoming Poland's next President or the queen of the world, I wanted to be a teacher. Many, if not all, teachers at that time were women. I figured that is what I am going to grow up to be. When I came to America my 'dream' changed. I saw a endless opportunities and the idea of "You can be whatever you set your mind to" flourished. As a teenager I was constantly made aware that women are dominating the world and soon there might even be a women president. My grandmother always told me that I will be a woman in power within the legal system simply because she thought I'd be a natural at it. The older I became, the more that idea diminished in my eyes. All thanks to the wonderful power of media.
Not too long ago I came across a documentary called "Miss Representation", and it was truly inspiring. It basically put all my thoughts into a ninety minute film about how women in power are scrutinized.
In the movie it is mentioned that 67 countries have had female presidents or prime ministers, but the U.S. wasn't one of them. Countries like Cuba, China, Iraq, and Afghanistan were mentioned. It was mind boggling. How is it possible that nations that WE criticize for how they run their government are able to have a female leader. Yet the United States, a country were many want to come in pursue of the "American Dream", haven't had the privilege of that. Instead, we classify women as emotional and unable to hold the responsibility of being in power. It comes to question where we stand as a nation and if we're the country that is behind in the age of progress.
Another fact that was mentioned was that men are choosing men to rule the country. Well, if there are no women in government, there won't be a woman opinion. Simple. Even women elect men in elections. Some say its "Too much, too soon, too fast". What does that even mean? As a woman, I find that to be completely absurd. If women don't trust other women with responsibility of being in office or having any kind of power, how are we ever going to make progress?
Women scrutinizing other women are always showed in the media, yet it is barely shown when women stick up for each other. Why? I'm sure it gets more views and higher ratings and its funny, but if the media has the power to educate and inform society why not do it in a positive way instead of brainwashing everyone at a young age? Oh, because it is easier, funnier, and convenient. Things are starting to change a little bit in the last couple years, but are they changing fast enough?
Sexism will always exist, to some people. Many people don't want a woman lawyer because "that's not a real lawyer". That's because for years only men are shown in the media as prosecutors and defense attorneys. If that is all people see, then the absurd idea that there are no intelligent and able women in the legal system continues. Once again, the media controls what we know, how we learn, and how we will think about the world.
Quickly my mind started racing and I realized that the reason why I stopped believing in myself and my hope of some day taking a seat with the most powerful and influential people in the world was because of the media. Shows like SNL, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (just to name a few) constantly made fun of people in power, but most importantly to me, women in power. Did I find it funny? Of course. When I was younger I thought it was innocent jokes, as I became older I realized that it was because women were A JOKE to society because of how the media portrayed them.
Palin and Clinton on FOX
Not too long ago I came across a documentary called "Miss Representation", and it was truly inspiring. It basically put all my thoughts into a ninety minute film about how women in power are scrutinized.
In the movie it is mentioned that 67 countries have had female presidents or prime ministers, but the U.S. wasn't one of them. Countries like Cuba, China, Iraq, and Afghanistan were mentioned. It was mind boggling. How is it possible that nations that WE criticize for how they run their government are able to have a female leader. Yet the United States, a country were many want to come in pursue of the "American Dream", haven't had the privilege of that. Instead, we classify women as emotional and unable to hold the responsibility of being in power. It comes to question where we stand as a nation and if we're the country that is behind in the age of progress.
Another fact that was mentioned was that men are choosing men to rule the country. Well, if there are no women in government, there won't be a woman opinion. Simple. Even women elect men in elections. Some say its "Too much, too soon, too fast". What does that even mean? As a woman, I find that to be completely absurd. If women don't trust other women with responsibility of being in office or having any kind of power, how are we ever going to make progress?
Women scrutinizing other women are always showed in the media, yet it is barely shown when women stick up for each other. Why? I'm sure it gets more views and higher ratings and its funny, but if the media has the power to educate and inform society why not do it in a positive way instead of brainwashing everyone at a young age? Oh, because it is easier, funnier, and convenient. Things are starting to change a little bit in the last couple years, but are they changing fast enough?
Sexism will always exist, to some people. Many people don't want a woman lawyer because "that's not a real lawyer". That's because for years only men are shown in the media as prosecutors and defense attorneys. If that is all people see, then the absurd idea that there are no intelligent and able women in the legal system continues. Once again, the media controls what we know, how we learn, and how we will think about the world.
Quickly my mind started racing and I realized that the reason why I stopped believing in myself and my hope of some day taking a seat with the most powerful and influential people in the world was because of the media. Shows like SNL, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (just to name a few) constantly made fun of people in power, but most importantly to me, women in power. Did I find it funny? Of course. When I was younger I thought it was innocent jokes, as I became older I realized that it was because women were A JOKE to society because of how the media portrayed them.
Palin and Clinton on FOX
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