This week we talked about culture appropriation vs appreciation. It’s difficult because the line is blurred when it comes to this topic because it can be opinion based and obviously there can be a really unpopular opinion of someone’s actions. I think it comes down to intentions and being educated. I think if you really like an aspect of a culture, you should be able to in some form celebrate it if you know the meaning behind it. You need to be respectful and in no way endorse stereotypes because that is when “appreciation” becomes damaging and offensive. The more I think about it, the situations become more subjective. It really depends on the matter and how it is carried out by the person engaging in a cultural crossover. It can be a very touchy subject for some people, which I can understand. Especially when culture is being used for fashion and becomes misinterpreted or discredited.

Another topic we talked about was stereotypes if women in TV and Film. People in the class got heated over the show “Gossip Girl” and how one of the female characters was in a relationship and perceived as a prude or needy. While the other female character in the show participated in the hook-up culture and was viewed as more independent, but a slut. It’s amazing because when it comes to males and their romantic or sexual relationships, they are very rarely labeled. If a woman decides not to engage in hooking up, they are seen as virtuous, “good”, and inexperienced. Whereas if a girl goes out and hooks up with several guys, she appears as dirty, a “whore”, or less valued.

In my personal experience, I have seen this happen. I had once been hooking up with a guy and he asked me while how many guys I had been with. I was slightly appalled at this. It was as if my value or the amount of respect this kid had for me was going to be based off of the number of guys I had engaged in sexual relations. I think it is truly something that doesn’t matter because it doesn’t change the person that I am based on the amount of people I have physically touched. I think it’s different if you engage in hurtful activities, are toying with peoples’ emotions, or have bad intentions, but otherwise it shouldn’t matter. It’s part of a person’s past and it can’t be undone even if they have changed their ways. So why base the value or respect you have for someone based on something that is considerably none of your business?

I am very against the double-standard that exists between men and women. It is very unfortunate that women are objectified in the media and given unrealistic expectations that society wants them to meet. Men may experience this, but definitely not on the same level that females do. It causes a lot of anxiety, depression, and awful feelings for young women because the media creates and ideal of how they should look, act, and be. There needs to be more role models and celebrities that appeal to the majority of “normal” girls, who we can look at and say, “She looks like me”, a thought many women never encounter when engaging in the media.