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Standing for Equality: Jackie Robinson vs. Muhammad Ali

Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali are known as two of the greatest athletes that ever lived.  They both completely changed the way society viewed their sport.

Along with dominating and revolutionizing their respective sports, they were known for taking social stands on pressing issues; such as politics, national wars, and the Civil Rights Movement.  During the Civil Rights Movement, both Ali and Robinson decided that they were going to risk their careers and reputations to stand up for what they believed in.  The ironic thing is how different their approaches were to try to attain the same goal.  First, Jackie Robinson became a very close friend with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Jackie was with Dr. King when he was heading the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s.  However, Muhammad Ali found refuge and likeness in the Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.  As Robinson and Ali both fought for equality, their role models for equality both expressed themselves in completely different ways. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his opinions being voiced, his famous speeches, and his nonviolent approaches to voice equality.  Malcolm X on the other hand, was a very vocal movement leader who was not afraid to be involved in, or plan on, violence. 

Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali both had the common goal of equality for all.  The sides that they chose reflected their personalities and views.  The leaders that they chose to follow also reflected upon their career; and the fact that the Civil Rights Movement was a success, made them heroes in a sense.  Most of all their morals showed that a nation-changing movement is far more important than a sport.            

Gender Roles and Superheroes

Last week we learned about the gender roles and sexuality of superheroes; and how they are portrayed in media and pop culture.  I have recently discovered how true some of their observations have been.  A couple weeks ago, I bought the PS3 game, D.C. Universe Online.  In this game, you can create your own superhero.  You can give him, or her, any looks, size, powers, and abilities.  While waiting on game play situations to load, there are eclectic arrays of load screens that are used.  These load screens are very well created still shots of superheroes or villains.  There is only one problem; the still shots completely feminize and sexualize the female superheroes. 
 There are also many superhero movies that are being released recently.  In these movies, the women are wearing very tight leather outfits with complementary makeup.  A couple of examples of this are shown in The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers.  The Dark Knight Rises shows Anne Hathaway playing Catwoman.  The Avengers shows Scarlett Johansson playing the Black Widow.  Both of these heroes are known for their tight leather outfits and their knack for getting out of trouble with their charm.  They are a prime example of gender roles and stereotypes being portrayed and illustrated in the media. 

With the feminizing of female superheroes in video games, movies, and comic books, being nothing new to the world of superheroes, I can see how much trouble society is having with trying to push outside of the normal ideas in creating new superheroes.                    

Duck Dynasty in Pop Culture

As we have been talking about reality television shows and how they are portrayed in and through the media, it was no surprise that Duck Dynasty would be one of our topics.  Earlier this year, Duck Dynasty set the new television record for viewers during their season premiere.  With a show that has that much influence, it may have people wondering how exactly it happened.

As we discussed in class, some people portray the Duck Dynasty cast as dumb and uneducated.  The facts are that this couldn’t be further from the truth, even though they are self-proclaimed “Rednecks”.  The Robertson’s are the family that started the Duck Commander Buck Commander Company.  It was originally started by Phil Robertson.  On the show, he stated that all of his siblings, except one, as well as himself, had college degrees.  The sibling without the degree is Si Robertson.  On the show, many subtitles are used when he speaks because of his accent and quick speech.  He is portrayed as the lesser intelligent Robertson, while Phil definitely has knowledge unknown by the others.    

The show also portrays the family as a middle class.  Their company has given them a lot of wealth, the show has just greatly multiplied upon that.  They are not a modern family that has been made wealthy by their show; such as Honey Boo Boo.  In college, Phil Robertson was the starting quarterback for Louisiana Tech.  At the time, his back-up quarterback was a guy by the name of Terry Bradshaw.  They have been great friends ever since college.  So having had a very successful company and being best friends with Terry Bradshaw, I’d say this family is being portrayed as something that they are definitely not.            

Gender Norms Realized

Two weeks ago my very first nephew entered the world.  I was so excited to finally meet him.  When I heard my sister was headed to the hospital, the first thing I did was go to Toys R Us to make sure my new little nephew had the coolest toys when he finally arrived.  I do realize that, at the moment, he has no clue what toys are or what to do with them. Nor is he going to realize what it is that I bought for him.  But I felt the need to supply him with an Incredible Hulk doll and an Avengers balloon.  There was no dispute that I won the "Coolest Uncle" award. 

Why exactly did I feel the urge to buy him a doll of a super hero?  My focus was locked on Power Rangers, Captain America, Iron Main, and the Incredible Hulk.  At no point in time did my focus look at princesses, baby dolls, or unicorns.  This is exactly the argument that was discussed in class when it came to princess and super hero influence on children. 

This argument is not realized by many people because of the norms that we are already living at today.  I never would have taken the time to think about why girls are only bought things that are pink and full of princesses; and why boys are only bought super heroes and military action figures.  I would have just said that that’s what all boys and girls like. 

Since I have taken time to think about the argument, I really can’t see my purchasing behavior changing.  I love super heroes and I can’t wait until my nephew is old enough to enjoy them with me.   

Culture of Food

As we have been learning about how food marketing campaigns are targeting and involving social media, the main thought that comes to my mind is, "They are definitely working."  When we saw the Doritos Locos Taco commercial in class, I definitely wanted one.  I wouldn't even have posted a picture to Instagram.  To be honest, it was 10:30 and I was getting hungry.  I feel like the the marketing campaigns for fast food companies are becoming more and more persuasive as I get older.  I definitely know that McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken are bad for you, but their advertising is almost becoming an art.  The competition between fast food restaurants is becoming so carnal that they are willing to put even more money into advertising and marketing.  
I completely agree with Michael Pollan's cycle argument.  When he stated that the invention of cheap and fast food led to the decline in family income so now they can only purchase cheap and fast food.  His cycle makes so much sense and could really be stated as the problem with today's food industry.  When he said fast food was a pillar of our society, he wasn't lying.  If a pillar of a building gets destroyed, the entire building will collapse.  Because of our dependence of fast food, I feel that our country would be completely crushed if the fast food industry was removed.  I know that many people need fast food because of its convenience.  I myself eat fast food, but if we were all honest with ourselves, we would know that the fast food we usually receive is harmful.