This Week for Women’s Studies February 23, 2012

Since this weeks topic has been body image, I felt compelled to post a video created by Dove. This video was extraordinary and I wish more people, especially young ladies would watch this and read up more on their magazine model idols.

This video sums things up very nicely…its not REAL!
I hope that this video finds you in peace, and changes the way you may view things.

Until next time,

-Kiara Ann

Up & Coming Singer motivated by Life. February 14, 2012

Marlen Green, stage name MG, 20, of Murphysboro finds relaxation and hopefullness in his vocals and his music. Singing since he was only 7 years old, MG is constantly perfecting his craft, challenging his talents and taking his music to new heights.

 

 

In a recent sit down with MG he opened up about his drive and his future goals.

 

KAnn- So where do you get your motivation for music?

 

MG- Everything, from other artists I see on TV. Like everybody, I don’t have a certain one I can pick just everyone in that industry.

 

KAnn- Why do you do it all?

 

MG-Because I want that life, I want o know what it feels like to be famous. I’m ready.

 

KAnn- So what is your newest song?

 

MG- My newest song is called Better Days.

 

KAnn- So do you write your own music?

 

MG- Yeah, I usually write my own verses, but I can’t take all the credit, my guy Biz, who’s also a song writer helps a lot with ideas and Justin James, a vocalist on a lot of my music helps write.

 

KAnn- So, what’s the next thing you want to do wit your music?

 

MG-I want to get it out there to the World. I want everyone to hear my music.

 

KAnn-What’s the 1st thing you’d do once you got famous?

 

MG-*Laughs*…that’s a hard question to ask. I don’t know what id do when I got famous. I wouldn’t know what to do foreal, Idjust try to take it all in.

 

 

As i wrapped up the interview, I had a chance to listen to MG’s newest song Better Days, and if I must say this young singer has a lot of talent. His songs are so relatable and its safe to say he’s going places.

 

 

To get the first insight and look at MG’s music you can find it on youtube under the name: singermarlengreen91.

 

To get a peek inside of the life of the artist, check him out on Facebook: Marlen Green.

 

 

 

And there you have it…Its been real,

-Kiara Ann

Social Gendering at its BEST February 3, 2012

Boy Toys, Girl Toys, and this Misrepresentation of RACE!!!!

Toys R Us "black" doll

Method of Brainwashing….TOYS R’ US!!!

 

During a recent trip to the infamous kids toy store “Toys R Us,” the reality of socialization smacked my dead in the face…gender roles. As I walked down the aisles, looking for a birthday gift for my niece, I realized the only options she had were either, a baby (playing mother), housekeeping and cooking (a maid), and then Barbie ( -__- )

 

In disgust I taunted the idea as I ranted up and down the aisles, my friend Kara stands and laughs, but I really couldn’t believe that sh*t. Why do things have to be this way and what are the options to change it? Well, mid-way through my rant a woman shopper notices and says “I actually bought my son the baby to play with as a child.” I applauded her, because she, one of few, actually tried to break outside of the gendered roles, she went on to say that her belief was that men should also be fit to be nurturing and loving to their children as well. In result her sons are in their 30′s, with children, and are GREAT fathers. I’d say she can pat herself on the back for that. Similar to that I ended up buying my niece a Princess Tiana twirling doll, because her party was themed with princesses, and the doll actually looked decent as far as representation.

 

 

On another note, this doll that I’m holding on the left was HORRIBLE,  our first thought was WOW really, is this what I look like, and my friend though shades darker than me, couldn’t get off the topic of that brillo pad for hair that she was wearing. OUR hair is NOT that f*ucking rough GEEZ people. Quite sad, I just have to show you a close up:

 

Now I will say that they had another “black” Barbie, that seemed a little closer and mellow, but then she was the ONLY one with provocative clothing on with her boobs EXTREMELY exposed. smh Will they ever get it right. It’s not the darker the rougher and shorter the hair, nor is it the lighter the straighter and slutier.

Beyond those main issues, the choices of black to white dolls within this brand is obvious….

Oh and just in case you were wondering here’s the other black barbie alternate:

I thought to myself maybe this is just how they do in store displays, but no no no, online its all the same, they go for the girls when it comes to cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children…and you would think that it said for girls or for boys, but the representation through COLOR is far too obvious….check out below the age which it starts (Pre-School) What do you think?

With all that said and done, I’m not going to toys r’ us for a while, and when I do, I will definitely not buy into this backwards gender-role for boys and girls.

For WMST 491, and My Peace of Mind,

-Kiara Ann

Interview with a Tween & Teen on Social Networking Sites February 2, 2012

 

Hello World,

So yesterday I found myself in the middle of a very fluid discussion in my undergraduate women’s studies course,  about adolescents and social networking sites. I realized that two questions stuck out more vividly than others. One was why do teens or even why did we as teens post certain provocative photos of ourselves? Who were our influences? Why did we or do teens lie about their age?  And two who tells us to do these things?

 

 Anisa (age 9)

• Do you have any social networking sites? Why? No, because Mom won’t let me.

• Have you seen or used Facebook before? Yes, on moms page.

• Do you want one? Why? Yes, So that I can talk to people.

• What people would you talk to? You (myself), Kida (our sister).

• So basically your sisters (lol)? Yes.

• Ok, do you prefer the phone or Facebook? The phone, because it lasts longer.

Oh, how I love my sister, smart before adolescents. Lol

 Malinda (Age 17)

• Do you have any social networking sites? Yes, Facebook, Vivo, and Twitter,

• Who do you talk to on Facebook? Friends

• Do you know all of your “friends”?  Yeeeees, Kiki!

• Malinda don’t lie, be for real PLEASE!? Ok, No.

• Why do you use social networking sites? I just use it, ‘idk’ I just want friends, something to keep me entertained when I’m bored, ya know.

• Why do you take pictures that show off your body (provocative)? Because they’re cute!

• Who determines if they’re cute? I ask my friends, both guys and girls and if they say its cute then it goes up on Facebook.

• What do you prefer phone or Social networking sites? I prefer to text message not talk on phone. Why? Because what if they don’t sound cute. Some people sound ugly or different on the phone than in person or text, so I’d rather not hear they voice. When you text everyone sounds the same.

 BODY IMAGE INFLUENCE:

Oddly enough when I asked both my 9 year old sister and my 17 year old sister about whom they like in terms of body image, I was shocked yet pleased with their answers. I simply said to both, who would you most like your body to look like: Jennifer Hudson before weight loss, Black chic from Glee, OR Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj OR Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Lohan OR Tasha Mack, Sanaa Lathan.

To my surprised both of my sisters chose Tasha Mack over Nicki Minaj want to see the differences:

Anisa 9

If you could look like someone who would it be (I named choices)? Tasha Mack

 

 

 Malinda 17

• Do you like your body  image? Its cool

• If you could change something what would it be? my boobs,

• What would you do make smaller? Yeah, because their too big.

• Do you feel that’s all that some people look at sometimes? Yeah most of the time.

• What do you feel your best attribute is? My smile

• Does the number of ‘likes’ matter to you? Says loudly-YEAH it matters because if it doesn’t get a big number I’m taking it down.

 

 Conclusion:

What was MOST shocking to me is that Malinda is 17 with maybe a size 38DDD bust, plays off of that body image online and receives gratification for it, but it is the main thing about herself that she wishes to change. It just goes to show you that the impression and observant identity matters MORE to teens than self-identity, and it ultimately makes them into the person that they “perceive” to be.

It is my DEEPEST hope that whatever my sisters want to identify themselves as it be positive, and what “they” truly want for themselves and if other people don’t like it…Screw them & lets keep it moving.

 

 

 

For Women’s Studies 491,

Its Been Real!

-Kiara Ann

When life happens… February 2, 2012

Everyone has that moment…that moment when they forget. When they try to compress the feelings and emotions of the past in a place within them that’s not frequently touched. Everyone has that feeling, when the sound spoken or the words written touch them so deeply that their heart sinks into the back of their guts and their arms slowly form tingles of goose bumps that aren’t visible.

 

Wondering why we as people allow time to get away from us. Why we move on as the days and nights change. Why we allow our hearts to be comforted by a nice smile or a brisk kiss that isn’t filled with merely as much passion as our heart is.

 

I find myself picturing a crossroad of decisions and then wondering why must a person move forward to reach their destinantion.
If I’m driving down a road and reach a fork with two different directions, why must I choose ‘left’ or ‘right’? Who’s to say that I didn’t miss my exit two miles back.

 

I believe that through this train of thought I, as I hope for all of you, am thinking more insightfully clearer. Sometimes people take this trip through life and miss their exit. Continuing down a road that wasn’t meant for them in the first place. Lost.

 

So to that I say: As you, my beautiful humans, travel down this road called life, use your heart as your guide and if you reach that fork in the road, don’t rely on society’s mediocore reasoning to guide you to your future. You can choose to sit and stare in confusion as you wonder, do I go left or right?

 

Or, you can make that u-turn in the middle of the intersection, drive 2 miles back, exit, and get back on track. Saving yourself time, energy, and world of heartache, sorrow, and regret.

 

With that I leave you with this: Use your heart as your guide and don’t let the road you crave so deeply for, get away from you. Don’t let life happen without your heart in the mist. Get in there & Live it!

 

 

Peace & Love,

Kiara Ann

Life…I’m your go to Gal January 28, 2012

I feel as if I’m able to jumble even the most complicated emotions and situations into a sweet melody of contextual portrayal. Having a “moment”? Needing the words to say? Or even just a ear to listen. I’m here…and wanting to put your story in the right perspective for the world to learn from…

Kiaraann365@gmail.com

Always there and posts can be anonymous.

“When life gives you onions…just cry and keep moving forward.

Peace & Love,

Kiara Ann

Genderfork.com holds promising talent January 28, 2012

Post in regards to WMST491l

Onnys Aho & Peacock Feather are just 2 of the fabulously dressed and looking “people” on Genderfork I think its absolutely amazing and bold that these men are so transparent and able to dress in fashion better than the “gendered role” stereotypical “woman.”

With ambiguous people being the focal I must pub the 2012 Spring Drag Show on next Friday in the Student Center @ SIUC. If you haven’t been I’d def suggest going both men, women, and those in between. Its surely a good time.

Well until next time,

-Kiara Ann

Random Deep Thought…Missing with the Heart! January 28, 2012

I miss a lot of things, but I don’t know if I should be missing anything. At a point in my life where no friendship goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Singleness… I’ve had to learn the hard way that Jesus knows what’s best and gets what he wants. So then I shall sacrafice. Because he doesn’t ask anything impossible of me and always has a plan better…waaaay better than my own whimpy plans.

I don’t feel vulnerable right now, but I feel something in that category. Where I am afraid to open up to men or talk too much, lol just because I don’t want to give in or start something that’s not in Gods plans. So whenever my mind begins to wonder “hey I really like him” or “maybe he’s the one for me” …I stop, breathe, step back and ask god to give me disernment in whose worth my time and a waste. And just ask him to guide my heart while keeping it stayed on him.

So in the mean time love isn’t a worry. I know God has someone that will mesh perfectly with me & yet again, I will be praying diligently for those or he who I may feel attracted to.  So that when its wrong I’ll know & if its right…well then I guess it’ll just be right.

Until later,

Kiara Ann

Feminist Thought January 24, 2012

After a good hour in my womens studies course I have the strangest urge to make a darn cyberfeminist blog. Lol there’s so much to be discussed, showed, and ranted about. Soon I shall have a blog full of feminist art and video blogs.

Adios until later minions… lol

Life Comes in Strides January 12, 2012

Its been a long time coming.

As I sit and realize how swiftly my exit (stage left) from college is approaching, I found myself in tears, nervous, and shaky, but not for what glorious joys await. Instead I fear the joys of life I am enduring now, that seemed to be soon fading away.  A distant memory that is so lively and vibrantly showing itself right now.

Suddenly forced to face life as an adult…I gained wisdom. We as “young” adults should not lay and float in the mediocracy of normativity by being sad about what we will one day have to slow down on, what we will leave behind, or what will one day change. Wether it be the type of clothes you wear, the night clubs you party at, the friends or loves that are slowly gaining completion behind you or even the thought of your lil pet (Farrah the lil stinker black kitty for me) getting old, fat, and lazy.

Instead I choose to embrass, we should embrass together. Shop more (conciously), party sparingly (but live it up everyday doing absolutely NOTHING!), love those who are climbing slowly behind you like its going out of style/never give up on someone who hasn’t given up on themselves, and I personally am going to feed my lil tike all the fancy feast steak dinners and kitty treats she wants. (Lol:))

Life is no race, it comes in strides. So pace yourself when needed, drink plenty of water, and sprint only when your close to the next glorious mile post.

In the mean time, cool it and just stroll.

Always,

Kiara Ann