MEDIA AND ETHNOCENTRISM

 

Ethnocentrism is the concept in which a person view’s his own ethnic group as the center of everything, and all others are only scaled and rated with reference to it. There is a characterization of vanity, pride and beliefs that one’s own group is a much better and more superior version of other groups. The article, “100% American”, was written by Ralph Linton, a known American anthropologist in the mid-20^th century. This article is all about the typical American who walks around in his little life, all of the things in which he interacts/ uses are made or invented from other countries besides his own, and in the end, still thinks that he is 100% American, assuming that everything is American- made.

This article is from his book, “American Mercury” which was written in 1937. The purpose of this article is to show an example of ethnocentrism and how it can affect a society or other societies for that matter. I think that the way Linton wrote about American’s ethnocentrism in this article was entertaining, intellectual and humorous. I liked how he was sarcastic and ironic in portraying how much an American could really think so highly of himself even if all the things around him are not even his country’s invention. I felt that this article could be both a warning and an awareness campaign for those who are bias among their own countries to recognize other countries as equals and to be aware that these countries have more contributions to society than one country can contribute to the world. It is one of the best, if not perfect, ways to inform the masses that different cultures have their own contributions to society’s improvement. Innovations are made through the inventions of different people from different countries and those who are ethnocentric should be made aware of this in order to save shame the next time they try to brag about their own country.

For other people who might chance upon this article, I think that they will also find it amusing, if they get over the fact that the article is long. It has humor and knowledge that I think most readers would understand. But for those closed minded people, I think that they will interpret the article as a joke or a way subtly inform people of boring old history lessons because of the places and inventions mentioned in the said article. But I think that most will really be able to grasp the concept of ethnocentrism, especially for Americans. It might not just be for Americans but also for other cultures that take too much pride on their own culture that this article could be applicable, and in which readers could really reflect upon.

How about you?

Are you going to go ethnocentric?

*link to the article: http://www.vagablogging.net/one-hundred-percent-american-by-ralph-linton.html

**images came from the internet, I do not claim ownership over them

MEDIA AND HOMOSEXUALITY

"I wish I knew how to quit you."

-Jack Twist, Brokeback Mountain 2005

In society’s norms, gender is identified as either female or male only. But in today’s culture, there are people who have transformed their own genders into opposite roles and/ or who grow attracted to people who have the same gender as their own. This is called homosexuality and is defined as is the condition of "sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex. People who have such tendencies have been identified or called as gays or homosexuals. These people are often misjudged in society and often shunned among traditional people because of their eccentric views on relationships. This media log is all about the 2005 movie, “Brokeback Mountain”, and is directed by Ang Lee. It is about two men who engage in a complex and sexual relationship in the 1960s and so on, and how they struggle to keep their relationship a secret and to keep their lives in a normal way. This movie shows the issue being discussed above, which is the homosexuality of a person.

This movie was shown in 2005 and has gained several comments regarding its vulgar exposure on the taboo subject of homosexuality. The movie in itself was for me, a masterpiece because of the way it showed homosexuality in a perspective that people can relate upon and to evaluate the relevance of homosexuality in society. The director’s technique in portraying this social issue was creative and in a way, makes the viewers become more accustomed to the idea of people having an interest for the same sex. The whole movie was circled on the concept of a secret and forbidden love, but cannot be stopped and I liked how the movie shows how people can meet their true love in such unexpected occurrences. There was only some problem with the transition of the story, wherein some scenes were left vague that made me confused and think if this was a relevant part of the main plot. But aside from that, I really think that this movie has touched me and my perspective on homosexuals; not that I have anything against them. It just goes to show that homosexuality is more than the sexual relationship in it, but also finding the comfort that you need in a person that you have the same gender with. It might be the problem of having found your soulmate, the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, who is the same gender as yours.

The movie made me feel sad because it was a love they never fully explored because society denies them to do so. It might be wrong for other cultures for this to happen but I think that as long as no one is getting hurt or being abused, then being a homosexual should not be a problem. Other people might see the movie as ignorant, impossible and confusing because of the main topic, being homosexuality. Some people do not accept this condition or this new found gender as acceptable in society and might find this movie an abomination to them. Such taboo subject, especially during the time it was released, would probably have received negative comments and insulting remarks. But I think that some people would also realize the seriousness of the plot in the movie, and how it is applicable to society. However, even with these different views from different people with different cultural background, I think that this movie has captured the essence of showing the masses the importance and the seriousness of a social issue. Having been able to incorporate a taboo subject into a blockbuster film is the best way to reach out to the people and call their attention to what could be considered as morally right.

How about you?

Ready to go brokeback?

*images came from the internet, I do not claim ownership over them

MEDIA AND POLITICS

“…diminishes the importance that the public needs to place on supporting government officials, not because of their popularity, but because of their essential role in policy determination, whether on the local or national level.” –Sen. Miriam Santiago (on the issue of incumbents gabbing undue credit in posters)

 

The image above is an example for what is known around the city as a signage for projects being implemented. This poster is just one of the thousands of posters around Metro Manila, containing what is supposed to be announcements about certain projects that have been recently implemented in the neighborhood by certain local officials in charge of the area. The purpose of this signage is to inform the public that there are certain projects that are being done that the people may need to know or be informed about, that may help them in times of sickness or incidents, or to just announce that certain constructions would be made.

another example of "epal" posters

Now, nothing is wrong with the purpose of this signage. But what is happening, as seen above, is that officials use these signages as a way to promote themselves to the public and to make their names popular among the masses in order for them to have an upper hand during the next elections.

The makers of these signages are the local officials themselves who try to insert their faces in these posters as, what have been stated before, a free campaign. This form of campaigning is a good strategy to attract the people because many Filipinos are always on the road and therefore, the chances of seeing and remembering these faces will be probable. Plus the project that they have placed their names and faces on suggests that they have been doing these public works for the masses that adds to their appeal as a possible candidate for next term’s election. I think that the way these politicians used these signages as ads is cunning but very efficient and I think that many people would be more than willing to vote for someone whom they see all the time, doing public works for the people.

"kasi pera ng gobyerno iyon, unless
mapatunayan na sa bulsa niya
mismo galing ang pondo"

I personally agree that this is a good way to start for campaigning but I think it is a cheap shot at trying to gain attention from the masses. It may be their proposed projects for the people but it is still the people who pay for these projects that enable them to create one in the first place. So I am also frustrated with these politicians who do this because they are giving credit to themselves and not to the people who really contribute to the project. It feels like they are taking credit for something that isn't really theirs. I think that other people will also think and feel the same as I do once they realize that these projects that are being posted with the officials’ faces are a bit unfair and cheap to do. Though, I think other people may be lenient with this reasoning and may feel that politicians who place their faces on these posters only do so to inform the people about the identity of their officials.

Is this even necessary?!

This poster, is I think, meant to be an announcement to the general public that there are certain projects being made that could contribute to the community’s progress. The only setback in these posters is that, politicians use these materials as their very own campaign ads, whether it be on purpose or as part of the norm in today’s political society, I still think that placing one’s face in an ad would be irrelevant to the message needed to be spread around, so the solution possible would be to just remove the faces of the politicians and to replace it with information about the said projects.

Now what about you?

To plaster or not to plaster faces?

*main image from above: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=159255710886101&set=a.159255640886108.49712.146057982205874&type=1&theater

**images came from the internet, I do not claim ownership over them