Sarah Harvey Performing Commitment

This is a very interesting article, and something that hits close to home for me. I have a gay uncle who has a life partner and has endured the injustice that a homosexual couple must face when it comes to marriage laws. The idea that they cannot be on one another's insurance, inheritance, and other legal benefits is shameful, for example, when my Uncle Dana's life partner, Joe, was rushed to the ER for an emergency surgery, my uncle was not allowed to visit him afterwards because he was not immediate family or spouse. He had to wait in a panic, at home, while Joe was up at the hospital until certain hours of visitation.

While I can rant and rave about the injustice my two Uncles face. It is clear to me after reading this article, that I myself do not think of a family in this way naturally, even with it being a part of my family. When I envision a family I think of the traditional mom and dad, which, in my opinion, has been beaten into my generation from the get go. It is interesting to read about the differences, and how there are power struggles for bread winner not only in a heterosexual couple, but also, and even more so in a homosexual couple. This article expanded the way I have thought about relationships and marriage, and has enabled me to give it a bit more thought from now on, and hope that society will continue to fight for the rights of all individuals.

Ch. 33 Perfoming Commitment - Tom Cameron

This article points out the difficulty of going against the grain of dominant social structure. Ever since marriage became a ritual in civiliations (I have no idea how long ago this happened), it has been a heterosexual union. So a homosexual couple who wants to get married has to do so in the face of traditionalists, many religions which shun it, and a general uneasiness from society as a whole. Another problem that homosexual marriage faces is the notion of family. When I think of family, I think of the conventional family with a man as the patriarchal, masculine presence, and a woman as the nurturing, matriarchal person. Again, this has very deep historically social roots. So a family where the two heads are of the same gender must go against the grain once again. Heterosexual couples, who carry the momentum of tradition, have an infinitely easier path to marriage. For example, a man could meet a woman in Las Vegas. That same night, probably under the influence of alcohol, they could get married. On the other hand, a lesbian couple such as the one described in today's reading, could be together for fifteen years, form a very close family and a deep love for one another, and be denied the same rights as the drunken Vegas couple. I can begin to undersand the injustices a homosexual person might feel toward state laws banning gay marriage. Like the author says, her relationship and family exemplify marriage in almost every aspect, and probably more. And she does not need a piece of paper to justify this feeling. However, she does need that piece of paper (marriage license) in order to share the legal benefits such as insurance, inheritance, etc. that a heterosexual couple is entitled to. Whether you are a homophobe or not, I think you would agree with me that this is an injustice. Questions: (1) How do you think the public image of gay couples will change over the next few decades? (2) Do you think the US is more homophobic or less homophobic compared to other nations? (3) Which states are likely to legalize gay marriage in the near future?

Khris Tate - Performing Committment

In this essay I really noticed how much our society is still engulfed in the old fashioned man marry woman norm. After reading how the author grew up in a church home and saw what she thought was supposed to happen one day to all girls, I can see where a gay person would be very confused growing up in this setting. Although I do not personally agree with the choices people make to be gay and have relationships, I respect the freedom of choice. As this author grew up and had feelings that maybe were leaning towards women and not towards men, she may not have even ever thought that she might be a lesbian. Because growing up in that kind of home and attending so many weddings, this individual may have had a very tough time even wrapping her mind around the concept that her emotions and urges were not only okay, but her right as a person and American. But growing up in such a home, it was probably even harder for her to accept those emotions and made it that much harder to accept who she was or becoming. The ending statement of the essay really shows an interesting point. The essay is all about rituals and changing of those rituals. I always wondered about kids who were raised by same sex parents, if they had to change the rituals in the household to compensate for not having a father/mother figure in the home. The last statement shows the author seeming to change her ritual as a mother, to be more of the fatherly figure in the home. I can only imagine what all rituals would be changed to accomodate raising children in a gay home. Not only for the home life, but preparing them for their own choices and lives to lead when they grow up. Discussion Questions 1. What are some problems that may occur in a gay home with raising children when a set father (lesbian marriage) or mother (Gay men marriage) is not present? 2. In a home like in question 1, would these children have a difficult time accepting the normal rituals of modern day society after being raised in a home like this? Or would it be that much more beneficial?

Tylor Robinson-Chp. 33 Performing Commitment

Coming from a small town in Nebraska my opinions on homosexuality may be tainted. This reading gave me some insight on the gay lifestyle, but I am still confused about why someone would possess the desire to be gay, I may never understand this. I feel that homosexuality is completely going against the laws of nature.

            I thought it was interesting that the author of this article was a preacher’s daughter. I also thought it was interesting that the couple in the article didn’t invite their parents to their “marriage of addresses party.” I think this sends a very strong message about how homosexuality is viewed. In my family my parents support me in everything I do and I usually try to avoid situations that I think may disappoint my parents.

          Even though my parents may say they would support me in anything I do not think I would have there support if I was gay. To me homosexuality is wrong, but I do not have the right to judge how people live there life. I do not have a problem with gay people and try to keep my opinions to myself as long as they don’t ask for my opinion or try to force their lifestyle choices on me. 

Discussion Qusetions

1) Why do you think people choose to be homosexual?

2) How do you think the relationship between a parent and child is affected by the child's sexuality?

Performing Commitment

I believe this paper touched on a wide variety of issues that homosexual people face, but the focus pertained to the struggles beginning a family by law. I am heterosexual, however, I feel for them and the trials that they are forced to face. Marriage to between two people is a touchy subject. You may agree with me or not, but I feel that a marriage through the church is not for people of the same sex. That is not because I am opposed to their union, but because in the religious aspect, strictly following the rules, marriage is for a man and woman. I do think that a legal marriage through the state should be allowed.

I know a few individuals that have been raised by homosexual parents, and I think the way a child is brought up has nothing to do with the sex of the parents, but the lessons and ideals they will instill into the child. There are tons of benefits that same sex parents are missing out on by not being recognized as married. If we can differentiate between a marriage by the church and state, then I don’t see a reason they need to miss out on these marital perks.

One of the other aspects is covered in the essay, was the publicity of their family. It really is a shame that they were embarrassed to be recognized as a homosexual couple with children. No group of people should feel that way about themselves. They have every right to exercise their freedoms of being in a loving monogamous relationship, including eating at a sit down restaurant without scrutiny.

I can say that I am glad some legislation has begun to catch up with homosexual needs in the area of parenting children. That is definitely a win for them, but there is still much more to accomplish before they reach the equality both legally and socially of a heterosexual family.

Discussion Questions

What keeps two adults and two children living together, and interacting with adoration for each other, under one roof, from being a family?

Would there be a hierarchy of marriage, or unequal perceptions, between a holy matrimony and union by the state? Would one be a more real marriage than the other?

Different Children, Different Dreams

It has always been clear that stereotypes and typecasting have been involved in all sorts of media especially advertisement. However, I had not realized how much children are used along with these in order to reach certain specified demographics, as well as, to create an emotional attachment or feeling of memory for certain products. Not only is race considered in these advertisements, but also gender stereotypes as well. Specifically, the reading talked about a Johnson's commercial that had a baby bottom (white), and then read the words, "One day this little bottom may sit on the board of directors. Today it needs Johnson's." Clearly there is a racial stereotype with it being a white baby. Following this commercial there is the "girl version", which is, "One day this soft hair may be colored and permed. Today it needs Johnson's." This is a clear gender identification that many of us don't even think twice about when viewing, but these views are being cycled through, not only to adults, but also the the youth of America as well.

The reading also talked about the kinds of commercials that are played throughout Saturday Cartoons. Specifically a commercial for Teddy Grahams that used children to represent the different flavors of cookie, which are vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon. However, midway through the commercial the black boy is hidden behind a piano and nearly pushed out of frame by the other kids. It is clear that these messages are being infiltrated to the young minds of the Saturday Cartoon viewers. Last week's reading asked the question about the concerns of the influence of stereotype by the Real World Show, but it is clear that this issue occurs much earlier than the teen demographic.

1. It is clear that advertisers are trying to be politically correct by casting different races in commercials, but the issue of whiteness is still being pushed through strongly with the examples of pushing the minorities to the sides of the frame or hiding them, is there anyway to fix this?

2. There are very rarely all African American casts for tv commercials, when they are used is there a different message being brought up through race?

Different Children, Different Dreams

I think that it is a very wise business decision to use primarily white children in mass media commercials. Since our country has a white majority, there are more positive stereotypes about white children than there are about any other race. Also, white are generally perceived to be smarter and are thought to have grown up in a more stable family environment. I do believe that we are starting to include more black children in commercials. E-Trade is one example with their talking babies about business.

I feel that commercials just follow with the trend of how people are acting and reacting to certain times. Now that all these minority groups are trying to get equal representation in the work place, and everywhere else in society, I feel that we will eventually have diverse races included in our commercials. I admit I don't really care who is telling me about some product. If it sounds good I'm going to buy it whether the person is white, black, hispanic, or asian.

1) Do the commercials vary their races for the different regions of the country?

2) Will there ever be regulations that state that there must be more than one race represented in a commercial?

Different Children, Different Dreams - Dylan Goodell

    I think this article is very similar to the Foxwoods Casino article.  I don't think that it is wrong that they use primarily white kids in commercials because white people are their target audience and it's smart for buisness to do so.  I don't believe its wrong, its just smart advertising.  Some people might think it is wrong to have an all white cast of kids in a commericial because it doesn't show diversity but if the majority of your target audience is white, then it's just buisness.  When they do cast a black kid they show him as the athletic one or he's rapping.  Some might think that this is racist and wrong but how many white rappers are there?  And most Professional athletes in the NFL or NBA are black.
    These commercials aren't creating any stereotypes.  I believe that they are just using the stereotypes that have already been created.  They are using them so their target audience can better understand their product or just relate to it more.  It is sad that they have to use these stereotypes in their advertisements to better sell their products but I still dont believe that it is wrong.  The companies are doing what they think is the best for them to be able to sell more of their product.  If it means using stereotypes that our world has already created for us then why not.

1. Do you think Blacks get offended when they see something like a cereal commercial with all white kids in it?

2. Do you think its wrong that companies have to use stereotypes in order to sell their product?

Greg Albin: Different Children, Different Dreams blog

This article discussed a very interesting topic. It is topic that does not receive much, or any, attention in mainstream media portals. Also, it is sort of a taboo area of discussion, as any race-related topic can be. However, the author managed to explain her main points and convey them in such a way as to invite the reader to want to perform research of his or her own on the subject.

The syntax of the article sometimes complicated sentences more than they should have been. I found myself having to read several sentences twice to understand what the author meant. But, this was a small issue in a predominately well written paper. An interesting figure was the number of examples of commercials and other advertising tools that the author found pertaining to the differences in portrayals of white and Black children.

After having read this article and learned the given information, I know that I will pay more attention to the subtleties of commercials with babies and children. I will be able to understand the hidden meanings, or subliminal messages, and stereotypes in the way these young characters are presented in these types of commercials.

1. Have you ever noticed the “whiteness” depicted in these commercials?

2. Do you think that, in the present time and with the current American culture, the people making the commercials can cast more minorities in their commercials?

Ch. 23 Different Children Different Dreams

Advertising is a very strategic form of building a name and bettering a growing business. It’s a way of putting your name out there and making a face for your business. Children are used very often in many advertisements as they have very positive features and bring up positive images in your mind. They bring up the image of youth, energy, fun, and so on. However, different children play different roles in advertising based on stereotypes created by our society.

The article of Chapter 23 spoke a lot about how white children were more prevalent in advertising. Blonde haired blue eyes represented bright futures, intelligence, commonality, and adventurous. Whites are seen as being common as having bright futures, center of attention, and outgoing. Blacks are used to represent as being passive and the second to whites. That is the main way the two are seen to be represented in the article. Also the blacks are seen to excel in advertisements regarding athletics and music. This is where they are seen as the stars of commercials as whites take center stage in most others.

I believe that advertisement is a strategic way to reach out to the common audience. Businesses just want to communicate and get their message out to the most people that would be interested in their product as possible. That’s just business. The fact of the matter is that whites are the majority. If businesses want to reach the majority they must specifically go out and send a message that would best communicate to them. To do this they must create a seen that is common and comfortable for them and by putting white children in the advertisements creates this. It’s not about racism or downplaying the minority. It’s about sending a message that will best get their message across to the majority to create the most business for them. If they are targeting whites then white children will be used. If they are targeting blacks then black children will be used. That’s just how business works. People look into everything as being racist and tries look too deep and find hidden meanings in things that don’t have any. It’s simple. Advertise to create the most business. That’s all there is to it.

I disagree with the article. They are trying to create a hidden meaning in something that doesn’t have it. It’s business. They are trying to reach the largest audience possible. That’s how a business works. Whites are the majority so white children will be used to reach the largest audience.

1. Is this so called “oppression” toward minority children in advertising actually oppression or is just business by trying to reach the largest audience possible?
2. Why is blonde hair blue eyes seen as common and more prevalent on white children in commercials when the majority of white adults do not hold these characteristics?

Katrina - Different Children, Different Dreams

In her essay, Different Children, Different Dreams, Ellen Seiter discusses the portrayal of minority children in advertisements, specifically African American children. Seiter provides examples of commercials in which Black children are cast in parts given minimal involvement, attention, and status. Quite frankly, this is not something I’d ever noticed in commercials. She goes on to describe how Black children are “always outnumbered by whites.” On the contrary this is something I’ve noticed.

I won’t challenge the author’s argument that African Americans and other minorities are often underrepresented in advertising. Trying to comprehend why this is, I really don’t understand why advertisers limit diversity in casting. I would think this would limit their appeal to some demographics, and consequently hurt their the main objective of advertising. Some attempts to include minorities (diversity) in advertisements, make the situation so pointed that it’s downright awkward. It’s obvious when you have a group of six white kids and one minority representative that the later was thrown to meet some diversity goal/requirement. While an attempt, it’s a poor attempt. I struggle with the xx to one ratio. This situation clearly doesn’t accurately represent the population and as its continued, repeated happening made evident its purposeful nature. This translates into the notion that race and ethnicity are key criteria for casting, something I struggle with. Even looking back to MTV’s The Real World, each season only one black male is cast. This seems rather deliberate; what are the odds that each year the “best” candidates for the show fall at a ratio of XX to one black male. I’m all for casting the “right” individuals but “right” should be in no way related to race or ethnicity.

I’d also agree that black children are used to represent “diversity” in general. However, I think the Seiter, was over dramatic and crossed the line when saying “many advertisers treat minority consumers no better than Columbus treated the Indians centuries before.” I’d also comment that I think advertising industry is progressing and more recently, has done a better job of diversifying media. Seeing that I was surprised by many examples Seiter cited, I plan to play more attention to the connotations of commercials.

1.) Why do you think advertisers have continually chosen to cast such limited demographics in their media?

2.) Are the examples that Seiter cites things you've noticed previously in advertisements?

Matt German: Different Children Different Dreams

I am not one to watch commercials much less pay attention if it doesn't interest me. I don't really notice the people in a commercial i just pay attention to the product. As i try to recall some of the commercials that i have seen i now see that there are more white people in any given commercial yet i still remember seeing black people but I do not recall their role or importance.

In the commercials I think they are trying to appeal to the people most likely to buy the product, i.e. the middle class white family. They want kids to see other kids like them selves so that they can relate to the product. Commercials just keep the stereotypes alive and keep pushing the minorities out and making them unimportant.

1. Why are white kids always in front and get the most attention?
2. How can we bring the minority children in to the light?

Chp. 23 Different Children, Different Dreams- Tylor Robinson

This article brings up a few key points that may not be so obvious. In the reading it says, “It is very difficult for whites to see how whiteness as a norm informs all media representation, ‘as if it is the natural, inevitable, ordinary way of being human,’ Richard Dyer explains (Dyer, 1988, p. 44).” I guess this is true because without thinking about it I don’t notice that every commercial that has a colored kid in also has two white kids or that a colored person rarely speaks in a commercial.

            I can’t decide if the oppression of minorities in the media is not obvious to me because of my whiteness or if it is because this is the way it has always been. According to the article commercials exemplify many of the rules which seem to govern the representation of children of color in the media. It says, “Children of color are pictured singly on commercials, if at all. The minority child is seen left screen – the least dynamic potion of the frame according to design theory. The Black child is not given a speaking part and is seen mainly in group shots with white children, only once alone and never in facial close up. Like most black models, the boy has been directed to smile broadly and act clownish, manic. (Sadness, frustration, or complaints are the prerogatives of whites.) These rules govern the representation of children in commercials across a broad range of advertising styles and narratives.”

            This article shows us that advertisements express a hierarchy of race relations. White children are always the stars, African-American children play the bit characters. The superiority of white children is reinforced through visual composition and through gestural codes. This may be true for most advertisements but the article does provide one exception to this hierarchy. In commercials that relate to sports or music black children are routinely granted the authority. For example in shoe and athletic wear commercials black males are usually pictured playing the sport the gear is made for. The article explains this by saying that this emphasizes their presumably “inborn” athletic ability.

            This article provided many examples of the problem with the dominant media construction of minorities, and thanks to this reading my eyes have now been opened.  While watching tv today I saw two commercials that stuck into my mind as oppressive. One of these commercials was a kellog’s cornflakes commercial. It showed three boys eating cornflakes at a picnic table. The two boys at the end of the table were both white. The black kid in the commercial sat between the two white kids, and did not have a line.

Discussion Questions:

1)      1) Why do you think it is hard for a white person to see this oppression of minorities?

2)     2) Do you think the stereotype of blacks being athletic affects the way people see them as           being smart?