Group Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpK-9XgcAx8&feature=youtu.be

The Media's Depiction of Homosexuality

Last week's lectures got me thinking about how homosexuality is depicted in films and TV. As was discussed in class, the subject was watered down for a straight demographic. The purpose was to not "shock" a straight audience with outright homosexual displays of affection. While I'm straight, such things have never offended me, but I can see how it may have shocked people years ago. I believe this trend has been reversed to an extent in more recent years.

I believe the reversal of this trend has primarily taken place within films and premium channels such as HBO and Showtime. Premium channels have actually begun showing homosexual characters in an explicit manner quite frequently. Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and Shameless are all shows that come to mind immediately.

Another trend, which was not discussed in class, also came to mind last week. After viewing Kinky Boots, which revolves around a gay, cross-dressing former boxer helping save a small family owned shoe factory from going under, one of my film professors stated that normally homosexual characters are depicted in a Christ-like manner. My professor said it is a common occurrence during times of positive social change in equality towards a demographic. He stated the same thing was visible within films released during the Civil Rights Movement. During this time, black characters were represented in a similar manner. They, like the gay character in Kinky Boots, almost always possessed an incorruptible moral compass and provided valuable advice to other characters on screen.  

The Slow Progression of Sexual Acceptance in Athletics

Even though the film we watched today is a few years old, it's unfortunate to see that the acceptance of homosexuality in athletics is progressing extremely slowly. It is not really a surprise considering the overly masculine facade put on by many athletes. But, the issue is clearly still present after the actions of Yunel Escobar, who made headlines after wearing an anti-homosexual slur on his eye black in September. The athlete was lambasted in the media, but was only suspended for three games by the Blue Jays. This punishment is comparable to a slap in the wrist considering how many games are in an MLB season. Such a slight punishment shows how little importance is placed on the issue in professional athletics.

Yet, maybe things are changing for the better at a rapid pace. Professional athletes have begun to become advocates. For example Brendon Ayanbadejo, a back-up linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, gained notoriety for his public stance on gay rights. Ayanbadejo made it his mission to support a referendum allowing same-sex marriage in Maryland.

When Legislator Emmett C. Burns went to the owner of the Ravens in an attempt to silence Ayanbadejo, another straight professional athlete stepped up to the plate. Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe lambasted the actions of Burns. His voice succeeded in silencing the politician.

Even the 2012 Olympics worked in the favor of gay athletes. According to Outsports.com, 23 athletes in this year’s pinnacle of competition were openly gay. A number representing a continuing increase since the 2004 games.

The Sway of Games

I'll admit I'm not an avid gamer. I couldn't even tell you what Minecraft is. But, I have seen how the attitudes purported in Monday's lecture could have a certain staying power. I have witnessed my roommates experience an "epic win" on multiple occasions. Sophomore year, my roommate spent hours attempting to single handedly defeat some sort of alien behemoth, and when he finally did he was greeted with a massive, bloody, violent explosion of extraterrestrial entrails. I was greeted with his exuberant, expletive filled shouts. He'd accomplished what would have been impossible in the real world, and he clearly enjoyed it.

With this image in mind, I can see how gamers could be rallied to a cause in order to better the world. There is a certain persistence within gamers, that I have even experienced several times. Of the few games I have played I refused to put them down until I had finished them. So I suppose it’s true that a certain persistence and positive thinking is necessary to accomplish such a feet. Especially when the feet can take hours upon hours to perform.

I certainly hope that one day, the gaming culture can be utilized in a manner capable of correcting some of the ills affecting our world. It obviously represents a large demographic, with certain games garnering larger profits than many films do now a days. Heck, I guess what I find the most shocking is how gamers have not been looked to for aid in certain issues.

Humor and Sexuality

Allow me to preface this blog post by defining my purpose. I in no way think that women are incapable of being funny, nor do I take a hardline, cold-hearted stance on the issue like Mr. Hitchens. I simply have a problem with the argument in general.

Now that I think being staked to the ground next to an anthill and coated with honey is no longer an option, allow me to proceed. I have a rule. I don’t generalize within arguments. Generalization, in my opinion, is the root of all evil. It offends. It over simplifies issues. And arguments directed at a large, ambiguous group are easily destroyed with examples that are either readily available or outliers.

It’s for these reasons I believe proclaiming women aren’t funny is an asinine, insipid endeavor. No conclusion will ever be drawn because humor, no matter how debated the topic, is purely subjective. However, people will more than likely offend certain parties in the attempt to come to a conclusion on the topic, and in the process the argument devolves into mudslinging and incorrect points by both parties.

Take, for example, several parties’ attempts to claim that funny women now-a-days are simply resorting to crass, “male” humor. Is it really male? Is it really so outlandish to claim that “male” humor is simply referred to as such because the environment of comedy is only becoming friendlier to female comedians as of late? That’s like claiming education is “male” because men during earlier times tended to attend school more often. I don’t think crass humor is male. It simply appeals to a certain audience that may not be entirely male. The same can be said for the arts of deadpanning, British understatement, parody and satire. Everyone possesses preferences.

As for the idea of outliers being used in an argument, that also draws little respect from myself. For example, comparing “Bridesmaids” to “The Hangover” doesn’t really work. Especially if one utilizes the profit margins as a sticking point as was done in class today. “Bridesmaids” performed well in the box office. I enjoyed it in its entirety. But comparing it to the “The Hangover” is useless when “Bridesmaids” made more than $100 million less than the wolf pack. Understand, I’m not selling “Bridesmaids” short, but rather calling “The Hangover” an outlier due to it’s exorbitant success.

Wow, look at that. I’m one hundred words over my limit. I guess all I’m trying to say is there’s little point in claiming women aren’t funny, and even less in comparing their comedy to men’s. Certain things work for certain people. The bridge between the sexes is thankfully closing, and I certainly hope it continues to do so.

The Superhero Syndrome

Due to the fact that I have had very little contact with princess paraphernalia, "Can Superheroes Hurt Boys' Mental Health" stuck with me the most out of this week’s readings. As the film industry continues to pump out superhero movie after superhero movie, the problem is sure to grow. Or at least remain consistent.

Within the article, the author writes, “researchers say [superheroes] may actually reinforce macho stereotypes and teach young men to be aggressive and detached.” I have seen examples of this throughout my life, especially in my younger cousins.

I have two cousins, both well under the age of ten, that are avid superhero fans. If you can name a superhero movie that has been released since they were born, I can guarantee you their parents took them to see it in theaters. Then bought them the accompanying plastic and foam versions of the heroes’ weapons. These, of course, are used on anyone within striking distance as the kids mimic their favorite superhero’s aggressive behavior.

What makes instances such as this interesting is how companies are encouraging the aggressive behavior. Much like how young girls have tiaras, young boys have toys associated with their favorite superheroes. For example, after one of the Hulk movies was released foam Hulk hands were everywhere. My cousins had a set. The toy even had sound effects, which were activated by hitting the hands. So how did my cousins get the most use of the toy? They hit people with the hands, just like the Hulk.

Things like this have been going on for years with my cousins. Every time my family visits the pair need to be told to stop hitting people at least once. Unfortunately, it seems like the researchers may be right. It seems as though young boys are being encouraged to act out violent tendencies not only by the film industry, but by toy manufacturers as well.