Victory through Unity

        We are constantly arguing about sexual orientation and how it has affected society. In response, many organizations, non-profit or for-profit, have been created. Earlier this week I came by this amazing organization that helps athletes who are part of the LGBT community. The organization is called Athlete Ally and it creates awareness toward athletes who combat homophobic remarks from their coaches, team members, family, fans, etc. This organization also promotes unity and respect from each of the groups mentioned above. I support these types of organizations because they create hope for this misrepresented community. 

       I have many friends who are athletes and are apart of the LGBT community who face horrible situations constantly throughout their life. I can remember the first time my cousin came out and admitted he was gay. My reaction to him was, "but you are a football player!" Like my cousin's situation, most athletes are not accepted to be a part of the LGBT community because they are seen as they role models for children athletes. Now that I know more about this community and I am aware and accept their preferences I am able to support my friends and my cousin. The expectations people have about athletes should not interfere their happiness. It is these organizations that allow those athletes to be children's role models by showing them that no one should be judged for what they believe or for who they are. This is a bigger lesson future athletes need to be taught. 

Link: http://www.athleteally.com

Guest Speaker; LGBT community

         I completely agree with everything professor Lambiase pointed out in class. One of my closest friends is gay and he tells me the difficulties he goes through. One of them is finding organizations/companies that support people like him. He tells me that not many companies or organizations promote their support for the LGBT community. Well, I was surprised to see the ads that professor Lambiase showed us in class. I had never noticed the hidden images or words that some company ads use in order to catch the LGBT community's attention.
       I believe it is great that commercials now involve the LGBT community, but I still think we have a long way to go before fully accepting this community. I say this because most of the images or words that are in the ads and commercials are small and barely noticeable creating the gay vague as professor Lambiase called it. I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for the society. Some organizations may not want to loose their publics that don't agree with the LGBT community, but may also want to involve that specific community into their brand, idea, etc. Whatever the justification is I believe we should not be afraid to promote our support for the LGBT community. That way people like my friend will be able to interact with society and its resources in an equal way the heterosexual people do.

Link: http://www.glaad.org/advertising/library/birdhouse-0 (Glaad.org)

Image of women airbrushed from IKEA catalog

       Tuesday IKEA was accused of removing a woman from their furniture catalog. Of course like many I became upset at the gender inequality that still occurs to this day. It is disturbing for me to see how companies that have influence on people undergo such low actions. By allowing this treatment toward women we are saying it is ok for gender inequality and that we do not need to progress from that. Living in a country where freedom is emphasized you would think we could change this sexist view toward women but I can see we have a long way to go.
       I can recall when I was president of my church youth group and many people believed I could not do the job right. In the past the president had always been a man and most thought it would never change until I was elected by the majority, which where most female. Well, when it came to promoting the group my picture on the flyer was removed because our secretary, a male, believed it was not necessary. Thanks to my experience with sexism I can now relate to the woman removed from the catalog. Luckily we do have women who are proving our potential. This gives me hope that some day this world will emphasize equality not only among races but also genders.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/02/world/meast/saudi-ikea-women/index.html?iref=allsearch

The media and the poor

      This weeks reading assignment captured my attention because it was about the little focus poverty has in the media. I agree with Dionne that the poor are not priority in news until they are seen as troublemakers. Most people, if asked, are not aware of the high numbers of poverty that are present in today's society. It is devastating to know that people in most need are not receiving necessary resources because they are not seen, by the media, as important enough for coverage that can bring awareness. Yet, when you do read about the poor it is mainly in a tragic story. Either they hurt someone or they created a problem big enough to damage society.
     So what can we do? You may ask. Well, like Dionne says, "...put an issue on someone's bulletin board, sometimes literally in their kitchen." We might not go to the extreme of their kitchen, but the main point is that we need to remind people that the poor are also human beings and they, like most of us, need support. Reporters should create awareness rather than put a dark light on poverty. I think they shouldn't wait to hear a story about a poor person causing trouble in society in order to classify it as "news worthy." As a future social worker I know that the media can be a great resource to reach potential donors, but it will be a difficult task to do if news agencies continue to neglect the poor.

Link: "Media Do Not Focus on Poverty as an Issue" Race, Gender, and Stereotypes in the Media pg.155-156

No limits in gender

    The reading for Monday was very relatable to me and the career I have chosen. As a Strategic Communication major I have struggled too many times because I feel like I can not succeed in the PR business due to my gender. Women and men are equally represented in this field but the highest positions are dominated by men. This statistic makes women seem as though their knowledge and capacity is only worth for the fun and simple parts of PR. Thus, men are worthy of the higher more critical decision. This, I fear, makes me think I am inferior to men and that no matter what I do, chances of me obtaining a high position are limited.
    Reading about Sally Jenkins, Charean Williams, Gina Miller, Jennifer Floyd Engel, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin has made me realize that there is hope. I admire women who, although told they are not good enough for a "man's" job, still continue with their dreams. They not only accomplish their dream by being one of the few women with high positions but also with successful outcomes during that time. Those outcomes are the evidence that women are as capable as men to achieve great things in whatever field they desire. It is these role models that should motivate us women to not be afraid of doing something most people, men especially, say we are incapable of doing.

Race, Gender, and Stereotypes in the Media, 37-51; 59-70

Bic's pens For Her

   In this article it is obvious women are upset about the Bic company. With this new direction Bic has taken you can see the way women are still portrayed in society. We are seen as superficial and weak. The colors used for these pens make it seem as women only focus on looks and being "pretty." The design is made especially for women's hands, which I personally see offensive because we are seen with no strength what-so-ever. It is a bit exaggerated to say women need a special design for something as simple as holding a pen.
     The reactions these women have shown are not out of the ordinary. Us women are tired of being misunderstood and misrepresented in this society. I believe that Bic should consider their new design and not look at the pen but rather what it is trying to say about women. Living in the 21st century you would think equality is a strong value for society, but with Bic's action it seems that society has not really adopted this value.

http://prdaily.com/Main/Articles/12532.aspx

Class discussion over Moderators article

     In class we discussed about the article "Criticism Greets List of Debate Moderators" and it seemed as though much of the class had different opinions. I would have to agree that the most important quality a moderator should have is experience. Even if all four moderators are of the same background, their experience is what makes the debates successful. Although, I do believe that many minorities in this country will feel underrepresented in the debate.
     I strongly believe it is important that every resident and citizen of the United States feel equally represented during a debate that will have an effect on their lives. How can a person who is relatable to minorities be a moderator if they are not given the opportunity? Experience may be the strongest asset a moderator can have but we will never have change if they are not given that first opportunity. Diversity may not be priority when selecting moderators but it is definitely vital for some people.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/us/criticism-greets-list-of-debate-moderators.html