Male gaze is used in many art and pop cultures because it is what sells the most for example hip hop and rap cultures. It's like a endless cycle. Production companies make good money because of the consumers. The rappers and hip hop artists continue to make the music that is demanded by its audience. It is mentioned in the video of Bell Hooks talking on cultural criticism (rap music), that those rappers know exactly what to express in their music videos and lyrics, in order to get the attention they want from their audience. It is the overall image that an artist expresses that sells from the music to the music videos.
The "Oppositional Gaze", is based on those who chose not to follow the stereotypical women in media and art. Bell Hook emphasizes women to critique the view of women in rap, hip hop videos, and media in general. Hook quotes, "Emphatically stating that in all relations in power" there is necessary the possibility of resistance." (Hook, 116) In comparison to Rap/HipHop music women were viewed as sex symbols preferably black women through music videos and films. For example, where as in the Blaxploitation period, black women were constantly viewed as either sluts, or whores through these black films for black audience. What Bell Hook is referring to is women shouldn't stand for less, or fall for what the media has to offer.
This topic on Male Gaze and Bell Hook's input of women didn't change my perspective on media and art, but instead reflects on it. My experience through my high school years, is when I took notice on the effect of art and media which it had on teenagers. In every high school you'll most likely see what is called "clicks". In "clicks",people usually have a shared interest within each group. Being that I went to two high schools in particularly different areas, one being the majority white race and the other well diverse. These "clicks"usually would have a certain way of dressing including a certain taste of music, moreover these groups can be viewed as a subculture. Media and music especially have a great impact on society and how we may express ourselves.
In conclusion I agree with Bell Hooks, in which the influence ofmedia has on society. Not to be against rap or hip hop music, in which I ironically do enjoy, personally I believe it's up to the women to either follow these women in hip hop videos or media, or to simply go by there own standards.
There are so many positive African American role models for youth to follow however, it seems as though African American's particularly in this country, have a tendency to migrate to negative stereotypes as their role models. Why is that?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on the fact that exploitation of women is alive and well in the modern world. A good example is the hip hop world.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree and enjoyed your referencing of High school clicks as an example of gazes. In My high school i can tell you the most popular female click was most definitely determined by the male gaze as they where the girls who dressed and played the part of sex symbols and objects for men to chase after. I would not have made this connection with out your article.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a mergence of negative stereotypes and mass media for African Americans. Even though most stereotypes are rooted on misconceptions, your argument on Bell Hooks is very good and very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like how you referred to high school as an example of gazes. It is very true that certain clicks had certain looks, I didn't think about that. Nice reference!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you used rap and hip hop as your examples because it is very true that they are making this for the audience and that they have a certain image on music videos. This was very interesting to me
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how you say, "Not to be against rap or hip hop music, in which I ironically do enjoy", because many of us come across this problem where the art and media we enjoy may go against the very things we believe. But I think that as long as each person is aware of how the specific piece of art affects them and those around them, then enjoying it isn't criminal.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how you say, "Not to be against rap or hip hop music, in which I ironically do enjoy", because many of us come across this problem where the art and media we enjoy may go against the very things we believe. But I think that as long as each person is aware of how the specific piece of art affects them and those around them, then enjoying it isn't criminal.
ReplyDeleteI went to a diverse high school, too, white people were a minority. I picked up an appreciation for rap and hip hop culture from my nonwhite friends there. I also came to realize that rock music and other conventionally "white" genres are full of sexism too, not to mention racism and homophobia. And no one talks about that! Wonder why.
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