Patrick Campbell
Professor Simonson
Mid-Term Assignment-Media “Object”
WMST 202B
“Lewdness and Shallowness are being exalted
While intellectualism is looked down upon”
At the onset of the course, I informed Professor Simonson and the class that I come from a very patriarchal background, due to the fact that I have four brothers and two male dogs. That being said it is fundamental to suggest that the world of Women’s Studies and feminism was a completely original experience for me. During one of our earlier classes we discussed what the class’s visual perception was of a typical feminist. Responses varied and included stereotypes such as, women with cut-off t-shirts, cut jeans, lesbians, short hair, and a few others. This assignment focuses on our ability to apply our studies thus far to a media “object.” Although the example I am using for this assignment may appear as questionable, due to the way society views this show, South Park is a very relevant media “object” which depicts many of the mal-practices and abuse of men towards women of today’s society through popular culture. The makers of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, utilize this show to illustrate their educated beliefs regarding all modern things of the world today (wars, popular culture, celebrities, politics, economics, race, feminism, etc.). However, many of the methods they carry out to convey these personal beliefs are very questionable, unorthodox, and has caused for some serious objection in today’s popular culture. This paper will analyze two of these very questionable examples regarding Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s production methodology.
As previously noted, at the beginning of this course we discussed what/how the class stereotypically perceived a feminist in today’s world. Besides the lesbian response, which was so fundamentally prominent, we saw an array of visual descriptions which is a way the complete contradiction of what a man would perceive their ideal women as, if you will. The South Park episodes “D-Yikes! and Stupid Spoiled Whore” all are very relevant media “objects” in today’s world. Parker and Stone address the issues we have discussed in class involving the few listed above and the way celebrities and the way they dress ultimately effect the youths of our female population. However, as previously noted, their methodology may appear largely extreme with the way they attack these issues.
In the episode “Stupid Spoiled Whore’” there is a young feminist in the show, and her name is Wendy Testaburger. In Wendy’s school there is a large trend change that is occurring, following the high popularity of the celebrity “Paris Hilton.” The show depicts Paris as a traveling celebrity who preaches things to young girls like, “what’s more to life than partying, I’m pleased to be here in Gouth Dark to announce the opening of my new store, a store where girls can buy everything they need to be just like me-a Stupid Spoiled Whore.” Like I said, there methods are extreme, but they are shedding light on the fact that little girls are being corrupted and dressing far beyond their years, due to the celebrities and what is considered cool or hip. Which is proven when Wendy turns to her parents and says, “Mom, Dad, I’m growing concerned about the role models young women have in today’s society.” That example including the feminist response from Wendy, sounds just like Susan Douglas in her piece “Sex ‘R’ Us.” Especially when Susan illustrates that “young women” felt that they “were suppose to dress like call girls and had to start doing this at an even younger age.” That being said, it is rationale to suggest that Parker and Stone clearly passed the message to their viewers of this concern in today’s popular culture. Celebrities like Paris Hilton need to understand that their actions and way they go about behaving, consequently influences the youth of our nation in a bad manner. In other words, I perceive these celebrities as advertisers, because they are exuding what they stand for and suggesting that it is the correct or best way for people to handle their lives, so how can we blame the youth when they are the ones who are being exposed to this on a daily basis. Therefore, I completely agree with Gloria Steinem when she states that, “advertisers-not readers-have always been the problem.”
"South Park's creators actually get and love the subcultures they lampoon. The amazing thing about this week's South Park is how detailed the observation was. The lesbian bar was a classic — it was clearly created by people with actual and acute knowledge of what lesbian bars are like — and there were many hilarious shades of recognizable dykiness in the cartoon figures. In fact, this week's episode was a landmark in mainstream depiction of lesbianism. It didn't rely on any hoary stereotypes that spring from ignorance and fear; it created stereotypes based on knowledge and fondness."—After Ellen Website
The South Park episode “D-Yikes” fundamentally originated from the word dyke. There is another point in the episode where we see this play on words, if you will, the bar pronounced by the characters as “Laa Bose” is actually spelled outside the bar as “Les Bos,” which happens to be a slang word for lesbians. This episode starts off by portraying Mr. Garrison; who recently has a sex change to a female named “Janet,” as a moody, short-tempered, emotional roller coaster. This was the creators’ way of poking fun at a female’s physical battles during her menstrual cycle, enter another group of men slandering women for something that they cannot control. Another example of slander occurs when the characters enter the lesbian bar. However, this slander does not include language or lingo it is a visual slandering of women. As they enter the bar I realized that every single description we stated in class regarding the stereotypical feminist came out through the physical features of all the women in the bar. Including larger butch women with wife beaters on, short militant haircuts, cut up jeans etc. Due to Susan Douglas’s high focus and interest in popular culture, I personally believe that she would be furious at this South Park episode but on the other hand, would be able to see the big picture which is depicted in the “Stupid Spoiled Whore” episode. That is said because in a way, Susan Douglas condones the active sexy female character in feminism, but she would definitely disagree with the character “Paris Hilton’s” behavior.
All in all, there are many episodes and instances throughout the life of South Park that call for serious objection and attention. Women and feminist activists across the globe have voiced their disagreements and objections regarding to the way these creators perceive women and slander them throughout the years. Although it is rationale to object to their methodology in most cases, if people wold open up their eyes a bit more they would be able to see the true picture that these geniuses are trying to portray. That is not to say that Parker and Stone do not simply make episodes just to slander and make fun of people, because that is what they are best at. However, when there is a true message behind their episode, they consistently paint a clear picture for the viewers to witness because it has a significant value to American society. As states, their description and methodology seem radical, but it must be promising for some feminists to see two influential men creating episodes on one of the best shows in the country, involving such topics that are of concern to the female and feminist community.
Information:
http://www.afterellen.com/blog/scribegrrrl/d-yikes-on-south-park
Both episodes are available on the website SouthparkStudious.com
. The Shallow Lesbian Dating Pool and the Lesbian Bar: Most of the women at the "girl bar" (which is called "Les Bos," ha ha) have slept with each other. And most of them have bad haircuts and listen to "Closer to Fine" when they drink beer — and to "Come to My Window" when they kiss. In the ladies' room.
No comments:
Post a Comment