“I don’t think you’re ready for ethnicity ‘cause my body’s too bootylicious for you babe”. That’s what Destiny’s Child should have sung.
Let’s face it, when we think of Beyonce Knowles we don’t think of the ten Grammy awards she has won. Instead we think of the black voluptuous songstress who can work a crowd into a frenzy by doing the original ‘uh-oh’.
Racial differentiation is an ugly money-making-monster that rears its head, and if it can, swallows up all one’s talent, leaving them with only their bust, waist and weight measurements to make a living.
Society treats ethnicity like John McCain does Sarah Palin. The former says to the latter, “Come over here, look sexy and work to better my interests”.
Speaking of American politics- Barack Obama. The number of times Obama has been labelled “handsome” is the only count to surpass the recent changes to political leadership in Australia.
The media’s embrace of Obama’s aesthetic difference with Michael Phelps-sized arms is not only unprecedented, but also reminiscent of the populous support Colin Powell had in 1995 as the media were desperate to inject hype into the impending presidential campaign. Doesn’t the US media know it’s impossible? Cue John Howard’s Youtube cameos.
Journalists and talk show hosts continue revel in how Obama looks youthful, looks passionate and looks like someone with promise. Television shows have thus painted Obama as a fresh and in-touch politician. To answer the previous question: no.
Though, who can blame the media? We live in an image-obese world. Although Kirsty Alley would disagree and say it is obesity of the literal kind that is affecting our world.
Internet blogs erupted with excitement thanks to Tina Fey’s return to Saturday Night Live for two skits as foreign policy wiz and US vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. Palin says she recorded all of NBC’s Friday night programming but is still unable to find the skit.
The NBC’s other media colleagues are also quick to join the coal-fuelled bandwagon of bagging Republicans’ political prowess while on the other hand celebrating Obama’s charm.
For instance, four of the five ladies on US talk show The View hold partisan opinions in favour of Obama, leaving John McCain supporter and client of the world’s best hair colourist , Elizabeth Hasselbeck, constantly reduced to tears.
On the Ellen Degeneres Show, both Barack and Michelle Obama will be remembered for their coordination and rhythm as they slid, shook and shimmied their way onto the couch for their interview. In contrast, McCain will be remembered by Degeneres’ fans as the man who said, “People should be able to enter into legal agreements” when asked about gay marriage.
What I’m trying to say is that society whether out of convenience or pressure, commonly finds it easier to munch on physical differences be it in a positive or negative light. It’s apparently fun and refreshing.
One would be kidding themselves if Russian superstar and former part-time tennis player Anna Kournikova was to be remembered as the pioneer of women’s tennis in Russia and not her magazine spreads, lacklustre service action and off-court profile which has seen her become one of the richest sports people of all time. Andy Kirsty Alley wonders why Jenny Craig dropped her kilos.
One would also be forgiven for overlooking the producing and directing endeavours of Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek (executive producer of Golden Globe wining Ugly Betty). Not surprisingly, many simply associate these hardworking Latinas as ‘the curvy ones of Hollywood’.
When it comes to pointing out difference, we love to hype it up. It’s exciting. It’s new. But inline with what I have already said, this issue is not limited to race. It’s gender as well. But that’s a whole other can of worms that no amount of lipstick wiping off pigs from a windowsill in Alaska overlooking Russia can clean up.
But offcourse all this debate surrounding the media’s portrayal of physical differences is actually meant to help solve healthcare and unemployment issues. Isn’t that right Sarah?
Love the title ‘Polishits’ – very clever. I still find it amazing that, in such a culturally diverse time it is not really reflected in the media at all. And when it is, it is very ‘big ethnic elephant in the room’. Often, people on TV represent a ‘common’ person to whom many can relate so the ethnicitiy is kept ‘neutral’ and white with brown hair … not sure when this will change.
thanks K. your comments are always so insightful. I totally agree… It’s very sad. When will we ever see an Asian newsreader on commercial television?…
i know, they’re probably waiting for me to step up to the plate, but still! haha
I think it’s sad that our perceptions and judgements about people dictate the decisions we make in life. It seems that the things that really affect our lives (such as presidential elections) are decided based on the colour of someone’s skin or their gender.