Media is a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, so integrated that we cannot live without being affected by it. What we watch shapes our perception on topics, it changes our behaviors, and it has become a major part of our culture. Research from the National Center for Health Statistics from July 2021 – December 2023 revealed that teenagers from the ages of 12-17 spend four or … [Read more...] about Media Literacy Guide for Minorities
Media Representation
The Unrealistic Portrayal of High School in Teen Dramas
High school is a formative time for teens. Many teens get their first jobs, meet their first loves, learn to balance responsibilities, and experience a period of growth and self discovery. While all of these social, professional, and mental milestones are being met, these teens are also balancing the work of eight subjects and extracurriculars. For years, teen dramas have … [Read more...] about The Unrealistic Portrayal of High School in Teen Dramas
If It Bleeds, It Leads: Crime Reporting
Picture this: It’s 5 o’clock on a Tuesday night. You just got home from work and you turn on the news, local or national. On the screen, you see police tape, mugshots, crying victims, and maybe some blood on the pavement. You might feel shocked at what you are seeing; the crime reporting might concern you. Now imagine scenes like that are on every night. Crime … [Read more...] about If It Bleeds, It Leads: Crime Reporting
Body Image in the Age of Social Media
In today's day and age, we are all very aware of media concerns regarding all types of topics. The one that truly stands out to all ages is a person's body image on social media. Images of women are everywhere because of celebrities and influencers. Popular film and television actresses are becoming younger, taller and thinner. Women’s magazines are full of articles urging that … [Read more...] about Body Image in the Age of Social Media
Media Literacy Education Refutes Stereotypes
Historically, the media has been guilty of perpetuating various stereotypes through the images in newspapers, television, and movies. Television in the late 20th century most commonly depicted Black individuals as athletes or, more destructively, criminals. During the same period, very few women were in roles reflecting them as individuals in power or heroic roles. … [Read more...] about Media Literacy Education Refutes Stereotypes
Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Let's be honest... If you're reading this right now and you have a social media account, you probably spend more than an hour a day scrolling. But do not worry, you're not alone. I do it too as do 80% of Americans, according to DataReportal. The average use of social media in America is 2.5 hours (Dixon). That being said, the real questions we should be asking ourselves are how … [Read more...] about Prioritizing You: Understanding the Influence of Social Media
Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
It’s quite frustrating that in today’s overabundant television landscape in which we have an endless number of shows on an evergrowing list of streaming services, there still aren’t many programs that celebrate - or even feature - plus-sized women. According to a study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, the average American woman wears … [Read more...] about Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
The Twists of Turning Red
I had the distinct pleasure the other day of sitting down to watch Pixar/Disney's new feature called Turning Red. Now why was it a distinct pleasure? Because my guest for the screening was my 8-year-old godchild. She happens to be the daughter of Moroccan and Arabic parents. She has a very outsized personality and a vocabulary to match. She had seen the film once before me and … [Read more...] about The Twists of Turning Red
Cartoons: Stereotypes and Social Awareness
A topic that I’ve thought about for a while is how cartoons are changing in the midst of our modern society with cancel culture. In recent times, people have spoken out against certain cartoon characters as they portray qualities that reflect current social issues. One example of recent controversy was the removal of the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons. Apu … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Stereotypes and Social Awareness
Battle with Barbie Imagery
When people think of media in the modern-day, it's often toxic, which should not be the case. Every adult over fifty had brought up the good old times where not everyone focused on media, technology, and appearance and how wonderful that was. Today we see even the youngest generations manipulated by the media, especially young women, and their desire for the "perfect image." … [Read more...] about Battle with Barbie Imagery
Media in America… The Road Ahead of Us
Media is all around us at all times. Every screen we have is a source of information: from the big screen on your wall, to the small screen in your pocket. According to corparitech.com, “the average American spends 7 hours and 11 minutes looking at a screen every day” (CompariTech). We are more surrounded by media than ever. Simultaneously, public trust in media is falling … [Read more...] about Media in America… The Road Ahead of Us
Underrepresentation of Women in Sports Media
Sports have played such an important role in who I am today, especially softball. My earliest memory is playing waffle ball at five years old with my dad in our driveway. My parents are big sports fans so the television in my house always has sports on. I grew up idolizing the New York Yankees. I have been to more games than I can count and have been fortunate enough to see so … [Read more...] about Underrepresentation of Women in Sports Media
“Africa, I Will Fleece You” —Media’s Power & Influence
“Does a crime against humanity exist only when the victims are white,” asks the Cameroonian filmmaker Jean-Marie Teno in his first feature-length documentary, Africa, I Will Fleece You(original title, Afrique, je the plumerai). I first came across the 90 minute film last Fall in a French course, and I was immediately enthralled. Released in 1992, Africa, I Will Fleece You … [Read more...] about “Africa, I Will Fleece You” —Media’s Power & Influence
Book Review: Naomi Oreskes’ Why Trust Science?
(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press) In her 2019 book, Why Trust Science?, history of science professor Naomi Oreskes does a wonderful job discussing the complexity of this question. She takes a difficult task and rather than simplify it, she dives deep into an exploration of the historical and philosophical roots and traditions of Western science, taking the reader … [Read more...] about Book Review: Naomi Oreskes’ Why Trust Science?
Lil Nas X
About a month or so ago, I got into a vehement argument with a good friend of mine. Our passionate conversation escalated quickly, and it reached a newfound intensity for most of our debates. And yet, the debate emerged from a very casual, unassuming subject: a music video. We discussed Rapper and Popstar Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO (Call me by your name)” music video. In part, I … [Read more...] about Lil Nas X
