In class we discussed how stars portray social and ideological values. Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of this. She has several philanthropy projects, including a new girls' school she opened in South Africa, the Leadership Academy for Girls. Oprah is looked up to by regular citizens and celebrities alike.
She has not only made a career for herself, but also jumpstarted the success of several others, including Rachael Ray and Dr. Phil. It's looks as though it's only a matter of time until Dr. Oz has his own show as well.
She has turned little known books into bestsellers through her Oprah Winfrey Book Club. Oprah has her own Midas touch right now.
Oprah embodies success and feminine power. Now she's using her star power to endorse presidential candidate Barack Obama. Tomorrow she will be in Des Moines at a rally with Obama. She's visiting New Hampshire and South Carolina on Sunday. In South Carolina, an Obama rally had to be moved from an 18,000 person venue to an 80,000 seat arean after tickets were snatched up in less then two days.
Even if Oprah's appearance may not result in direct votes for Obama, but her sheer star power has provided loads of media coverage and people coming to see Oprah will hear Obama as well. How her endorsement effects the election has yet to be seen.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
In the Spirit of Christmas...
Our discussion of ethnicity in Disney movies really got me thinking. Children are bombarded with all these images. With sincere effort, we could use these images to educate children about diversity.
In addition to Disney movies, Santa Claus has traditionally been white. Parents everywhere are bringing their children to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. For minority children, they could feel left out, because Santa is almost always portraid as a caucasian man.
Not only are most men who play Santa at malls and Christmas parties white, but so are the Santas in books and movies about Christmas. This is a classic example of a structuring absence.
I did a Google Search of Santa Claus images,and the first 86 images, both drawings and photos were of white Santas.
In a search for Santa Claus books at BarnesandNoble.com, of the first 100 results, there wasn't a single image of a minority Santa Claus.
For children, Christmas should be a time of excitement and happiness. While the holiday should not revolve around receiving presents, Santa Claus is a classic traditional part of the Holiday season. There's no reason that children should feel left out of that simply because they are not fairly represented in the media.
In addition to Disney movies, Santa Claus has traditionally been white. Parents everywhere are bringing their children to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. For minority children, they could feel left out, because Santa is almost always portraid as a caucasian man.
Not only are most men who play Santa at malls and Christmas parties white, but so are the Santas in books and movies about Christmas. This is a classic example of a structuring absence.
I did a Google Search of Santa Claus images,and the first 86 images, both drawings and photos were of white Santas.
In a search for Santa Claus books at BarnesandNoble.com, of the first 100 results, there wasn't a single image of a minority Santa Claus.
For children, Christmas should be a time of excitement and happiness. While the holiday should not revolve around receiving presents, Santa Claus is a classic traditional part of the Holiday season. There's no reason that children should feel left out of that simply because they are not fairly represented in the media.
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