Pop culture is defined by Andi Zeisler to be “any cultural product that has a mass audience.” Pop culture is everywhere and consumes our lives, especially as college students. It is on our computers, on signs as we walk to class, and on television. Due to the fact that we interact with pop culture to such a high extent, it is constantly available to analyze. Furthermore, the topic of feminism in pop culture is even more interesting to analyze. Women make up a large amount of pop culture, but what is interesting is what they do to be in that position.
A prime example of the topic of feminism in pop culture is the music video to the song “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga is promoting feminism through her lyrics in this song. With a very up beat and optimistic beat, she promotes being oneself and living life to the fullest. However, when you take a closer look at the music video, she is wearing a very small amount of clothing. By doing this Lady Gaga is lowering herself to pop culture’s standards of having women being almost naked in order to succeed. She creates a very ironic and interesting situation by promoting and putting down feminism, all in one video.
How should I build on this topic to further discuss this music video?
ReplyDeleteIn order to further discuss said video, you should probably go much more in depth on the visuals instead of just stating the video as a whole. You should find a scene in the video that has really strong feminist lyrics but the video contradicts what she is saying.
ReplyDeleteThe pop culture item is specifically addressing a music video by Lady Gaga and the main idea is how Lady Gaga is singing strong empowering lyrics for women, but the video completely contradicts everything she is singing about. Alanah offers support by going over the topics in a broad sense, but you could be much more convincing by going much more in depth in the video and lyrics.
A good visual element would be the video or section of the video to prove your point.
I would just talk a little more about what actually takes place in the video; is there a storyline about Gaga or is it just a bunch of dancing? Obviously the skimpy-clothing point is very effective though. Maybe a comparison to another video that is actually effective could help hammer in your point. This is a very good realization though, it makes a great point.
ReplyDeleteAlannah is taking about Lady Gaga's music video "Born This Way". She is saying that while Lady Gaga is trying to promote being yourself and staying unique, she is doing the exact opposite; conforming to society's view of women. Alannah is very convincing becuase her point is easily relatable to anyone who knows Lady Gaga, but I think having a link to the video might also help anyone who is unfamiliar or anyone who wants to see the video for themselves.
It would be better if you mention about what makes wearing a skimpy cloth and being nearly naked so ironic. Discussing what a 'male gaze' is, I think, will work well on your writing.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to my post, Alannah describes a misrepresentation of women in pop culture by using Lady Gaga as an example. Descriptions she used easily connects to her theme and it's easy to note how it supports her theme. Posting a link to the video clip will really help the readers to 'see' what makes Lady Gaga so ironic.
I agree with Carmellina (aka Jag?). You need to go much more in depth in explaining both why you feel the lyrics are feminist and how particular scenes in the videos undercut these messages. Also explain your use of irony and why you find her video ironic specifically.
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