Talking Point#4-Christensen

Unlearning the Myths That Bind US
Linda Christensen

Author's Argument: Christensen argues that the media portrays the wrong imagine to our children. Children are learning about sexism, racism, etc. at an early age. Christensen also argues that it is our responsibility as parents and teachers to teach the correct information.

Quotes:
1. "Many students don't want to to believe that they have been manipulated by children's media or advertising. No one want to admit that they've been "handled" by the media. They assure me that they make their own choices and the media has no power over them - as they sit with Fubu, Nike, Timberlands or whatever the latest fashion range might be."

I agree with this quote. It is really sad to know that most of our children will not wear nothing else but brand name clothing and shoes. I agree that the media has a lot to do with our children’s behavior, but I also believe that peer pressure plays a big role in it too. Our children see it on TV, at school and in their friends. They think that in order to be accept by their friends, they need to wear nice clothes. The funny part of all this is that most of them don’t work and their parents are the one ended up paying for their expensive clothes. In order words, we as parents also contribute to that “manipulation.”

2. "Have you ever seen a black person, an Asian, a Hispanic in a cartoon? Did they have a leading role or were they a servant?"

I can see how this quote is true, but at the same time I can see how this is changing. Nowadays, I can see more cartoons with black, Asian and Hispanic character in them, e.g. Little Bill (produced by Bill Cosby), a Chinese cartoon that came out recently called Ni Hao Kai Lan, and our famous Dora the Explorer and Diego. There are not too many, but at least we can find some if we start flipping through channels.

3. "Because we can never look like Cinderella, we begin to hate ourselves. The Barbies syndrome starts as we begin a lifelong search for the perfect body. Crash diets, fat phobias, and an obsession with the materialistic become commonplace.

It is so sad to think that media has such as big influence in us. I believe that when we have a low self esteem we are more vulnerable to feel that we-"to start hating ourselves." We get the wrong image from TV, magazine and we forget that it's all airbrush. What we see is not real, but we don't get it.

Comments/Point to share: This was a very interesting article. When I finished reading this article I thought about my culture. You will think that in the Hispanic culture things are different. The answer is no. It is hard to see on Hispanic news, soap operas, talk shows, etc. someone with dark skin completion or curly hair. The majority are good looking, lighter skin, blond hair. Although, the Hispanic culture is a mixture of African, European and Indian. It is really hard to see the African and Indian characteristics on Hispanic television. It is sad.