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

MEDIA AND VANISHING LANGUAGES

"In an increasingly globalized, connected, homogenized age, languages spoken in remote places are no longer protected by national borders or natural boundaries from the languages that dominate world communication and commerce."
- excerpt from the article

The article “Vanishing Languages” is all about how some languages spoken by only a few natives are starting to vanish from the earth. This article emphasized on some of the smallest and unknown languages that are still spoken by only a handful. There were three specific languages that were discussed in the article which was, Tuvan, Seri and Aka which are from different countries of the world. The article is divided into three parts, wherein each of the languages has a story from its researchers, sharing how each language is important to preserve and the different connections of their languages in knowing the identities of cultures are important.

This article was written by Russ Rymer, with the aid of other researchers. The way that they tried to convey their message about the importance of preserving one’s own language is not that engaging because of the long and continuous read that may seem as boring and unappealing to other readers. Though they used stories from people who experienced learning about the language, the article seemed too long to read. Frankly, I would not have read this article if it wasn't required. Long reads on the internet are a hassle to most readers and the creators of the article didn't really think through on how they were going to attract more readers and make their article seem interesting enough. Actually, the article is an interesting topic and an important issue but, the presentation of the article is also important in gaining an audience and captivating their attention in order for their message to be sent.

The issue that this article was trying to send was languages from different countries are important, no matter how small a number of people use and practice this language. The preservation of a language is important because through languages, the culture, tradition and the way people define their way of living, can be seen and understood. By studying and preserving those languages that are not really commonly used, we learn a little more about the life of other people and how they cope with their lives in certain circumstances. I feel sad about the issue in this article because language is indeed an important thing, and losing a language is like losing one’s voice and not being able to say how you really feel. I also feel a little guilty because I too have my own dialect but am not very fluent with it because I would rather speak English or Tagalog because it would be more practical.

Other people who have read this article might also feel what I felt, depending on what their understanding and their concern for languages are. Maybe some people will show indifference to these vanishing languages because it would not affect them anyway. Others, who are more sympathetic that others might feel sad because they have learned that languages can also become extinct if not taken care of and not used. This article, though as boring as it may seem, shows the lives of the people whose languages are in danger of having no language to use and no one to understand them at all. Global materialism has paved way for people to look down upon their own language and this has been presented in the article to show how languages should be preserved and loved.

This article has been made in order for us, citizens, to understand that there are different kinds of problems in this world and the problem of vanishing language can affect us one way or the other. It also tells us to love our language and to use it all the time and practice the use of it in order for the language to be kept alive. The lesson in this article is that everybody should be aware that our language may be under appreciated  but the importance of it should never be forgotten and instead, through this article be known.

Now what about you?

What do you think about the different languages of the world?

Will this thought also vanish from your mind?

*article link: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/vanishing-languages/rymer-text

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

MEDIA AND RACE

“This is just all about MIXING AND MATCHING.” –Bayo ad

Advertisements nowadays are made effective through the use of internet, television, billboards and many more. These are used to campaign certain products in order to be made popular and gain future buyers. But these ads can reflect different interpretations through different perspectives. Certain advertisements are criticized for lack of context, sensitivity and value; and Bayo’s recent advertisement is one of them.Bayo is a clothing brand enjoyed by many Filipinas for their many years of hip and modern collection of different garments. Their most recent ad (as seen above), was named “What’s Your Mix?” and was made public last June 2012. The main theme of this ad was to show people that Bayo can create varieties in their clothing and that there are many clothes to “mix and match” that can fit any personality. They portrayed this message through the use of Filipina models with mixed nationalities. The creators of this poster decided to go for the minimalistic approach, which made it more noticeable, simple and more memorable than others, especially if on a billboard.

This poster for me is a good way to promote the clothing brand, because it is easier to remember, the models used have fresh faces and the concept of having a variety of clothes and accessories to choose from is very inviting. The poster had a good design but I think the words that Bayo used to describe their theme was inappropriate. I think that they were careless when they used those words to define the concept of their collection. It is somehow telling people that being pure Filipino is not enough and that it is better to marry someone from another race. When they stated that “mixing and matching of different nationalities with Filipino blood is almost a sure formula for someone beautiful and world class”, it was a sure sign that it will offend people and cause a controversy. And it did.

If you search “What’s Your Mix Ad Campaign” on Google, most of what you’ll find are different blogs commenting on the way this advertisement affects people through racism. This advertisement, from most blogs, is seen as racist, promoting that it is better to have a mixed nationality in order to become better at something. This ad, although refers to the varieties the clothing brand can offer, can be seen in the wrong light because of the longer explanation behind the said poster. There are people who are open- minded that may accept this as just another form of campaigning. There are those who might feel insulted because they might see it as Filipinos being better off with foreigners in order to conceive better versions of themselves; angry because this campaign promotes racism; and indignified because of the sloppy words and misguiding statements that this advertisement used. Others may also think that Bayo deliberately conceived this form of misleading poster to cause a controversy so that the brand can have free publicity.

But I think that although Bayo is receiving plenty of negative comments, they should still keep this concept for their promotion because it can really pull people to buy from their stores. What they should do is to rephrase or change their interpretation of their poster to lessen the negative comments and misunderstanding that their words have caused.

How about you?

What’s YOUR MIX in this issue?


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

MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH

“To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. They must be allowed to say, write and publish whatever they want. Freedom of expression is the most basic, but fundamental, right. Without it, human beings are reduced to automatons.”

–Ma Jian

Freedom of speech is the right to express one’s thoughts publicly and not be punished for doing so. It is legally defined as “the right to express beliefs and ideas without unwarranted government restriction (US First Amendment)”. This right has been given to every citizen in a country, with limitations mentioned in their own laws. Here in the Philippines, our government is known as democratic and therefore, our right to the express our thoughts freely is recognized by the law. Unfortunately, within these past few weeks, tension has been rising due to the issue of the newly proclaimed law which is known as the Anti- Cyber Crime Law. This law was signed by the president last September and ever since, many are trying to revoke it. Protests have been made by many activists, and professional hackers have been rebelling by hacking into government websites, endangering the government’s files to be exposed and corrupted. This law, destroys the concept of freedom of speech for the Filipino citizens.

The Anti- Cyber Crime Law** has been made in order to pursue those who are committing crimes in the online world. This law is said to include offenses against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer date system, illegal access, illegal interception, date interference, system interference and misuse of devices, as stated by presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. This law also covers fraud and identity theft, cybersex, pornography and unsolicited commercialization. The punishments are imprisonment for 6 to 12 years, payment of fines and suing of libel.

I think that this law was presented in a blurry manner and the provisions have not been fully clarified and dissected. This law which may have been formulated in order to protect the safety of people’s privacy and the safety of their intellectual properties is understandable but the provisions that have been made are not clearly reviewed and the punishments given are too oppressive that can be seen as unreasonable, that can stifle our freedom of expression. It is not properly reviewed because there are many flaws and there are also contradictory provisions in it. The manner in which they implemented this law might be the reason why many people disagree with its execution. Other people might also agree with me since this law hinders people who are using the internet to fully express themselves. This goes against the principle of democracy and freedom of speech that our country is said to have.

This law was supposedly implemented to stop online crimes. The intention may be reasonable, but the way the government has implemented it is not very competent; and due to these flaws, and also through the unity of the people and the media to expose the defects this law has to offer, the government has decided to reconsider it and provide revisions, if not the total removal of this law.

*link to the site: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/10/09/12/cybercrime-law-was-cut-and-paste-lawmaking

**additional info: http://www.gov.ph/2012/09/12/republic-act-no-10175/

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

MEDIA AND TERRORISM

"Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time is now."

For the first media log, we were assigned the theme, media and terrorism, hence the title above. The material given to us to analyze is a viral YouTube video entitled "KONY 2012"*. This video was created by Invisible Inc. and is about finding a way to stop a terrorist named Joseph Kony, who is said to have been kidnapping children for slavery, prostitution and creating an army which he calls the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). This issue is in Uganda and not everyone is aware of this situation. The creators of this video decided that using the internet media to spread Kony's wrongdoing will gain enough attention from the members of the community and will raise some awareness all around the world that the American government will be forced to act upon this issue.

The short film was posted on YouTube last March 2012 and has now gained more than 93,000,000 views as of October 2012. The creators' technique of showing their message through a short film was smart and creative, and the way they edited the whole film made everyone who watched it aware of the message they were trying to send. The manner in which they communicated with their targeted audience was simple and the scenes they used have perfectly captured the essence of their message, which is to save the Ugandan people from Kony. And since the film is in YouTube, almost anyone can watch it and therefore makes their mission of making the subject of the video (Kony and his heinous crimes), famous. This message has been proven to be effectively sent because now, more people are aware of this issue.

The video itself, for me, was very informative and detailed, and the effect it gave me was that of pity and the need to help those oppressed by Kony. It made me feel that I have not been aware nor did I have any concern for the different social issues happening around the world. Not everyone is aware of this situation and honestly, this is the first time I have seen it and it made me feel a little guilty that I haven't watched it sooner. I might not have given any form of solicitation even if I watched it sooner but the thought that I could have seen this video earlier and made others aware of it too, might have made a difference.

But even so, the video gave me the encouragement that even if I'm not popular or powerful, I can still give a contribution to society. It also showed me the power of media, that it can affect the view of millions of people and if something needs to be known, the modern day technology can help spread these issues and the effect it can give us can contribute to the welfare of society.

The only thing that confused and somehow dismayed me was the last part of the video wherein they asked for money or to order for "action kits" in order for this message to be known. For me, this wasn't a big deal because it's really up to the viewers if they give solicitation or not, but it made me feel concerned for others who watched it, that the message they were trying to send may come with other motives. 

Other people see this whole video as a scam because of the donations being asked in the latter part of the film and others think that using funds or donations to make a criminal popular instead of giving the money to the Ugandan people for them to cope with their lives, is a bit naive. But I think that this message of making this terrorist popular is what will be more beneficial and more valuable for the people of Uganda because then, more people would be willing to help out with their situation. And at least the members of Invisible Inc. are doing their best to help out those in need and to show to the world the issues that need to be brought up, because the last time I checked, not everyone really cares for something that doesn't concern or affect them.

How about you?

Have YOU ever gone out of your way to help others?

*video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

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