I would like to focus this blog on the Brown, Gardetto article titled, "Representing Hillary Rodham Clinton: Gender, Meaning, and News Media."
This article points out that the news media is supposed to, or tries to, report in an unbiased way. But points out that the fact that Clinton is not only female she is, first lady (public wife), and citizen. She must be careful how she speaks to the media. If she speaks as first lady she is violating herself as citizen, if she speaks as citizen she is going against herself as first lady. This puts Clinton in a very awkward situation.
It is interesting that as a nation we have certain expectations of what a woman should do and who she should be. We expect a lot of women to fight for woman's rights and to be independent. But when it comes to our first lady we expect the woman to take on the traditional roles of wife and succumb to the husband. Many Americans do not like the idea that Clinton might have been behind some of the decisions made by her husband Bill. We expect her to act as a wife should act. Staying out of the media and out of politics.
It is interesting that when Clinton became involved the the media through her testimonial for the Whitewater case American's weren't sure how to view her; citizen or first lady. I can't help but raise the question why was Clinton's involvement in the media such a big deal? Nancy Reagan was very involved in her husband's presidency, often relying on her psychic for advice. Was this as controversial? Or not the same situation?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Semiotics and Stereotypes
I was very interested in the discussion that we had in class on Thursday. As we were discussing signs of sports vs. fitness we noticed several signs that signified certain stereotypes. For example, a hot woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated is a stereotypical sign that attracts men; or a headline stating a new way to get flatter abs in just minutes a day is supposed to appeal to women.
As we pointed out these are all signs that are stereotypical signifiers. I would like to point out that even though these signs are stereotypical, we have stereotypes because they are usually true. Naked women DO appeal to men, and wanting to get flat abs in minutes a day DOES appeal to woman. Now there are always exceptions to stereotypes, their are exceptions to almost everything.
What seemed very interesting, however, was the question, are these signifiers that are very stereotypical, stereotypical because our society has mad them stereotypical? Or do naked women naturally appeal to men, and does not having to work hard to get flat abs naturally appeal to women?
I do not remember if we talked about this any in class, and I do not know if there is an exact answer. But I think that society has made these signifiers stereotypical, over time. Over time we have just come to accept that women are supposed to like one thing and men another.
As we pointed out these are all signs that are stereotypical signifiers. I would like to point out that even though these signs are stereotypical, we have stereotypes because they are usually true. Naked women DO appeal to men, and wanting to get flat abs in minutes a day DOES appeal to woman. Now there are always exceptions to stereotypes, their are exceptions to almost everything.
What seemed very interesting, however, was the question, are these signifiers that are very stereotypical, stereotypical because our society has mad them stereotypical? Or do naked women naturally appeal to men, and does not having to work hard to get flat abs naturally appeal to women?
I do not remember if we talked about this any in class, and I do not know if there is an exact answer. But I think that society has made these signifiers stereotypical, over time. Over time we have just come to accept that women are supposed to like one thing and men another.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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