Killing Us Softly? Definitely!

I really enjoyed the video of Jean Kilbourne. However, I found “Killing Us Softly” to be alarmingly true. I completely agree with everything she had to say. Advertisements have been degrading women for years; regardless of what is trying to be sold. From clothes to alcohol and everything in between these is a negative association with women.

The one I found the most disturbing was definitely the advertisement for the watch. This particular add showed an extremely skinny, decrepit, white woman wearing minimal, transparent clothing and a watch up around her upper arm; meaning that this woman’s upper arm is the same size as a normal woman’s wrist! What is the most ironic part? That without Ms. Kilbourne explaining that the advertisement was for a watch I never would have known. Without an explanation I thought the message was that women should stop eating, but no, the message was that women should buy this watch.

Thankfully, advertisements like this are no longer as common as they once were. Today there are advertisements that show women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ethnicity. As mentioned in class today CoverGirl makeup now has Queen Latifa and Ellen DeGeneres as there spokeswomen; an African American women and a lesbian. I think this is an ideal example of the strides women are making in the world of advertising and marketing, and I’m sure that in the years to come this beautiful trend will continue.

I Love Rebecca Walker

I just read the Rebecca Walker article titled “We Are Using This Power to Resist”. I found it so interesting, but in particular I like when she talked about the Third Wave Direct Action Corporation. I liked that Rebecca Walker and Shannon Liss both knew that they wanted the corporation to be multiracial, multicultural, and multi-issue. The multi-issue was the part that really stuck for me. They wanted to support young male and female activists in whatever way they could, whether it be simply connecting them with resources or organizing a group of fellow activists again sweat shops. They wanted to help with everything and anything and I think that is phenomenal, and definitely something that was not seen in the first or second waves of feminism.

Similarly I like the Third Wave Foundation and was surprised to find that it was the only organization of its kind. I have always been interested in nonprofit organizations (and it is my minor) so I visited the website to find out more information. I found that the “Third Wave [Foundation] is a feminist, activist foundation that works nationally to support young women and transgender youth ages 15-30. Through strategic grant making, leadership development, and philanthropic advocacy, they support groups and individuals working towards gender, racial, economic, and social justice.” I have looked a lot of nonprofit organizations and I have never seen one quite like this. The Third Wave Foundation is truly unique. They have only been around for 12 years and they have made amazing strides through out the world, and I am sure they will continue to have great success.

After reading the Rebecca Walker article and learning more about her organizations it has made the third wave of feminism my favorite of them all because it touches on all issues; and I think that is what is needed to really make a difference.