Media Monster

In the world of music video, Chicago’s own Kanye West has caused quite the stir. West’s new music video “Monster” has been received with equal amounts of disgust and praise. Though many fans and critics have passed this video off as simply a creative and artful expression, I personally detest this video because its objectification of women hits the extreme. In this video, West declares himself a “monster” (hence the title) and proceeds to explain his monster-like habits by depicting rape-and-murder incidents. The video opens with dead women hanging, wearing only heels, and then continues to show West in bed with two dead women (, who he assumingly just had sex with,) re-positioning their bodies as if it were a game. Though feminism has come a long way in the past century, this source of media shows that progress can easily take a step backwards. In addition, despite the fact that laws have been made to equalize women to men, film and television still holds tight to gender stereotypes to create a story or make a statement. What is the purpose of this song? Does Kanye want to display his power through depictions of rape and murder?

West’s shallow rhymes and disgusting scenes, as awful as they may be, have received an extreme amount of publicity, once again putting him on the map to success and re-iterating the fact that America loves gore and sex – or even better, America loves gore and sex combined. When a friend told me about this video, I was absolutely appalled, but I of course ran to my laptop to watch it myself. In this sense, I am a hypocrite to my own complaints. As much as I despise West’s video, I have now joined the masses of audience watching this video and spreading news about it.

video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLnS-2h_nog

Spears Can Hit Way More Than One More Time

OK, so I hate publicly admitting this, but I LOVE Britney Spears. I am obsessed with her music, especially her latest album. I think she is pure, musical genius. Her music can be inspirational and empowering to get up and dance (something I enjoy). As far as her personal life, well, lets just say that she has come a long way, and as far as I am concerned, she is a role model to many people for how she handled her meltdown.

Let me start with I looked up to her when I was in 2nd grade, which was about 12 years ago. That was when “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was what all us little elementary school kids were jamming out to, and all the boys of course, had crushes on her.

Now, lets fast forward roughly 8 years later. B Spears (as I refer to her) now has 2 adorable kids, and also 2 divorces. She also decides to shave her head and literally falls apart for the entire world to see, courtesy of the media. Now, I love my celebrity gossip magazines and E! News, but during B Spears’ mental breakdown, I couldn’t help to think “Didn’t think the media ever once think to leave her alone?” I know I would want my privacy if I was having personal issues, but it seemed like the media didn’t care.

Despite the unwanted media attention, B Spears’ pop stepped in and helped her get her life on track. Before her current album, she had another major record and a sold out tour. I am sure this album will be even bigger than the last one. And I, for one, will allow B Spears to hit me more than one more time.