Advertising Analysis

These three commercials that I chose are just few of the many commercials out their exploiting female sexuality. These commercials go into the minds of young girls and make them feel that this is what it is to be a woman. These behaviors, actions, and outer looks are inescapable and seen everywhere in the subway on your way to work or school, looking through a magazine, on top of a passing cab, or at home while enjoying your favorite show. Women in these advertisements are view at being a sex symbol. In the Victoria’s Secret commercial the main focus is what is sexy and throughout the commercial they show “sexy” through the lingerie. Watching a commercial like this would make you want to go out and purchase this brand of lingerie because only then you would feel like you’re sexy. In the second commercial for shaving cream it goes back and forth from cleaned shaved skinny legs to one with nicks and cuts covered by Band-Aids the commercial emphasizes the importance of having a clean appearance. In the final commercial if you didn’t know better you would think that they are selling something else. The Herbal Essence commercial is shown depicting this lady having an organism from her shampoo the company primarily uses sex to sell this product. Men aren’t depicted in any of the commercials but the message that they send out to men especially the VS commercial is that is what you want your woman to look and be like. When it comes to commercials in general it is very hard to find commercials that air regularly with African American women in it. I reminded the VS commercial in hopes of spotting Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell who have graced the VS catwalk but never a commercial. This shows that they only try to depict one race of woman as being “sexy”. The only interaction of men and women is in the Herbal Essences and her sexuality is used to the fullest she is seen naked in the shower and she begins to orgasm from the shampoo which is a very intimate and private experience but for purposes of getting ones attention this is the extent that they go. Women will always be depicted in the media as being a sex object I don’t think that will be changing anytime soon. This image of women will always make regular woman think they have standards to live up to but it’s up to us the everyday woman to break these ideas and make the changes.

-Janaine

taking off my face

From the time that I was very little I have always been known as very girly. When given this assignment I began to wonder is this something that I had chosen or was this something that was forced on to me. My mother always instilled in not only myself but my siblings as well that we should always try to look our best and always look presentable. I grew up with a fear that if I didn't look my best I would feel insecure and ashamed about myself. For the assignment I decided to take the way I present myself to the outside world down a notch. Everyday I'm use to wearing makeup, straightening or curling my hair, and making sure that my clothes are ironed. When I woke up Saturday morning I brushed my teeth and proceeded to take a shower once I got out I threw on some over sized sweats and put my hair up in a messy bun. Before I left my bedroom I looked and myself and I felt a bit disgusted without the makeup on looking in the mirror I seen an exaggerated image of myself. I seen the dark circles from not getting enough sleep at night, I seen the marks acne left on my cheeks, without my hair fixed I felt like a mess and with out the clothes I'm use to wearing I felt a overall nakedness. As I proceeded to go down stairs both my mom and sister gave me a odd look it's not like they had never seen me like this but because they were in shock that I was going to go outside looking like I was. Walking around I felt very uncomfortable like I didn't belong. I was hoping that I wouldn't see anyone that I knew because I was ashamed of my appearance. When my boyfriend seen me he was a bit surprised but also happy in a way because he said I looked comfortable and it must be so easy to just throw anything on but in my mind it wasn't it took a lot to let go and try this out. I noticed that as the day went on I felt a little anxiety from this activity and I had to go home and change my clothes only then did I feel comfortable. Reflecting on this I realize that some things need to change and even though it will take time hopefully I will get there one day.

-Janaine

Gender Norm Activity