Define Beauty
I am taking an English class that is focusing on class, gender, and sex. The social force that I am working with is gender. Gender roles in society have obviously been existing in America for years. I do not know where and how this social agreement began, but I know we live in it.
I am taking my microscope and analyzing how women do tremendous amount of work to look a certain way. Society has been channeling a false definition of beauty through television, advertisements, and other methods. Women are constantly bombarded to apply cosmetics and diet products to look beautiful. The definition of “beautiful”, according to society, is to have a slim or fit body; and apply cosmetics to hide and or enhance certain parts of one’s face.
I think this idea is of beauty is somewhat universal to a certain extent. There are differences, but one is for certain: Women are expected to look a certain way. And if women don’t look a certain way, different consequences arise.
Men are not excluded from this. Men are expected to learn a certain way but different attributes are expected from them.
With this in mind, we can see how most popular culture, but not all, is continuously channeling and advocating the definition of beauty through music videos, advertisements, and other sorts.
Six videos that I have carefully analyzed are:
- “Promiscuous” -Nelly Furtado
- “Sexy Back” -Justin Timberlake
- “Superman” -Super Junior
- “Mister” -Kara
- “Gasoline” -Daddy Yankee
- “Una sola Palabra” -Paulina Rubio
All of these artist above actively communicate how beauty takes define characteristics for men and women. I think it’s needed to not only challenge the definition of beauty and come to conclusion that beauty does not take a set of characteristics. As well, it is important to critical analyze what the media is channeling and promoting to men and women.
Morning UES,
It’s a new morning with new beginnings. Every day means a second chance. It is important to remind ourselves everyday who we are, who we want to be, where we are, and were we want to be. I have been constantly thinking about that because it helps me think positive.
My friend wants to study abroad for Spring ‘13. I want to study abroad too, but I want to take a whole year off from the U.S. I don’t know where I want to go study abroad, yet. Well, I have four countries in my mind: Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Argentina.
Japanese is my favorite language, but Japan universities are highly competitive. Korea is a great place, but my Korean is simply going through its up and downs. Spanish, while I may sound fluent, I struggle sometimes when I am talking to my teachers. I stuttered, but I think that has a cure.
I think it’s between Korea or Japan, though. It’s not the Popular culture that is calling me. To be honest, Korean Popular culture saddens me. I think it’s an industry trying to uphold art for the wrong reasons. And they are failing miserably if someone asks me.
What do I want to do? I want to be a teacher, but I want to be a screenwriter. Give screenwriting a try and see if I can change the world through television. However, I care more about the younger generation.
I have this Spring and Summer to think of the right place.
I found this here!
Dear B,
I just went to a camping retreat, and I loved every part of it. The sun decided to embrace its most rays this weekend. The sun was no challenge at least not the us. I met new brothers and sisters. Gather with brothers and sisters from different regions makes you see how God’s children are everywhere. You obviously can’t get rid of us.
Now, it’s time to lay down with the homework. I have plenty enough of that. Why do professors give so much homework?!
Well, as little this post it, it holds a lot for me at this moment.
xoxo,
Andy!
Dear A,
We sometimes have to reflect on a lot of things. That is why the air and streets are the open space. As for me, I have been reflecting a lot and being involve with a positive change in my life.
If you find old traces of my old blogs, there is no congruency. God is molding me to a person who I want to become. A person who is more loving. Love is a jumbo package if you ask me. With love, you build patience, kindness, forgiveness, and so much more.
Regardless of who I am today, there are some characteristics that are unchangeable. For one, I will always be this loud person. I can’t imagine myself being extremely quiet unless it’s the new beginnings with new people. I will always be a clean-freak and cautious of who touches my clothes without asking.
I guess I’m working on my self esteem and being able to happy. Here is an advice I have for the world: We spend so much time looking for someone to make us happy, that we never realized that person is us.
Speaking for myself, I have been in that road. But, I honestly want to explore this world. Live for God for I know he will make me happy.
Rise and Fall, Spring.
Question of the Day: What do you want to do in life?
There are many things I want to accomplish. My main goal is to make others happy. My main target are kids. I was bullied for many years, and I want to do my best to stop that. I want to support those victims and help bullies as well. I don’t want my younger generation to go through the same harassment that I went through.
Being bullied made me hold hatred towards others and especially myself. I was able to overcome it; thus, become a stronger person. However, others hold their pain and hatred that eats them up slowly.
I want to basically help kids. I think being a Teacher and or a counselor can be a great way to achieve that. At a young age, kids can be trained to be peacemakers and have compassion for others.
Life would have been easier if I was surrounded by peacemakers.
Under the Sun.
Hand me the world in a silver platter.
One of the things I face with is dealing with being a Christian and putting aside my attraction for men. I don’t understand why two people of the same sex cannot be together, and I don’t know if I will ever know the reason why.
However, to be a Christian means to give everything up and absolutely put God first. It’s not about God being your number one. It’s about God being your only one. I have performed my own diagnosis on what I’ve done and who I have become.
I somehow think that I need someone next to me to be happy. Regardless whether someone is a Christian or not, I do believe happiness should not come from a boyfriend or girlfriend. A boyfriend or girlfriend does not assure someone happiness.
Right now, I want to work on that. I want to be happy with what God has given me and sacrificed for me. I want to be happy with my blessings and build my relationship with God. It’s something that takes full commitment and time investment. If I had a ～friend, it would be impossible at the moment.
Perhaps in the future I would be available. I am still young and the world that has been unconquered by me.
I am home alone and resting. Oh! I met the coolest kids yesterday. My mom also told me KCC/KDCC might have an internship this summer for me!
Post Modern Andrew
Hello faithful New Yorkers,
I am sorry if you have not received any letters from me. I have been caught up with school. I thought three classes was going to be easy, but I was mistaken.
I have my first final next week, and final’s week is not even next week. I will work on your letters on Tenth Week or Finals week. For my lack of promptness, I will work harder on them.
This goes for Elizabeth Flores, Erick, and Blair Waldorf.
Spring Break is coming soon, and I need to leave this city. I am hoping for the best and expecting wonderful wonders.
Racism Knocks My Door
Well, today I went to the store to buy some supplies. I heard cashier talk in Korean with another customer, so I decided to speak Korean, because I can. The cashier perhaps thought I was making fun of the Korean language once I said Annyeounghaseyo, and replied “I’m not Korean.” In my head I was like “funny, I just heard you say a whole bunch of scrambled Korean words; I guess I must have some undiagnosed brain injury, you fool.”
Two seconds later another customer interrupted my transaction and they talked in Korean.
Three seconds later I said “한국사람이에요?” (Are you Korean) and she said “no.”
I don’t know if her impression was that I was mocking the Korean language, or that my skin pigment and eyes shape said “this boy looks Asian, but he is not full Asian— let’s discriminate.”
Long story short, my mother knows that lady. She introduced me to her and my mom told her that I study at a UC and major in Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. The lady was like “Ohhhhh, really? Wow, so smart.”
I really don’t know why she responded with such attitude, but I can simply say that I don’t practice racism. I don’t mock and discriminate because I know how it feels to be mocked and discriminated. My skin pigment and eye shapes has caused me tons of that, and I don’t wish it on anyone.
I love the Korean language and will forever do so. It’s not easy, but you put that aside because this language is mind consuming like the rest.
