Diversity and Communication: Final Blog Assignment

After taking JOMC 441 how has this course shaped your view of the role of diversity in the media including: images, employment, access, coverage.

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I would say that after taking JOMC 441, I have thought mostly about the affects that race has on the opportunities minorities have in terms of employment, and the effects that has on societal views of minority groups. I believe this to be the single most important factor we studied this semester because it perpetuates the rest of the issues we discussed.

For example, because diversity is not adequately present in the workplace of most mainstream media sources and resources, the images and coverage of those minority groups also become inadequate. Because of lack of knowledge, experience, or understanding, the inadequacies presented may be detrimental to the perceptions of society. These perceptions persist in the form of stereotypes proliferated by repetitious images in the media.

These images are unlikely to change without confrontation from both minority groups and other members of society. However, in many circumstances, minority groups do not have access to the resources needed to begin these debates, nor the influence needed for cultural lessons be heard.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 7

On our Campus

Read the following article and share your thoughts. Include the following: location of both statues, positioning of “Unsung Founders Memorial” (as a table), selection of artist.

http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts/story/213404.html

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The Unsung Founders Memorial is located in the Upper Quad on campus, near the Confederate Monument, better known as "Silent Sam," which honors the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The Unsung Founders Memorial was created to honor the African Americans, both enslaved and free, who helped build UNC's campus. The statue has been the center of many many discussions and controversys surrounding the design and location of the monument.

Some of the monuments features under speculation include its size, function, positioning, and color. The monument is one of several monuments found in a single north to south line, including silent sam, the old well, the bell tower, and another white monument (i've temporarily forgotten which it is). Unlike those I have just named, the Unsung memorial is placed off of this line slightly. The monument is also the only black one, and is also lower to the ground and used as a table. Some take offense that the small figures on the monument are still working for the white students even today. Others take offense that the designer of the work was not African American, but Korean.

So, what do I have to say about this memorial? Honestly, I think I am a bit over the discussion. I have discussed this memorial in several classes, with friends, teachers, strangers, all numbers and types of people. So, for me, it is less about what the monument itself is, and more about the discussion it generates. Obviously, the artist did not intentionally mean to offend anyone. And I believe while some people over analyze it, I do also believe some of the issues people have with it are justified. And so, what has the monument done? Do you think students and visitors coming to campus look at the monument and their perceptions on slavery, the significance of it, the injustice of it all changes? That it is suddenly okay and that it is still present in todays society? No. Do you think a monument that "properly" memorialized these strong people- perhaps a full size statue of an individual, in line with the others would make people think of the situation differently? Maybe. But do most people looking at Silent Sam think about those who died in the civil war? No. they giggle about the first unc campus tour they took and the joke about virgins. So, maybe the Unsung Founders Memorial is valuable just as it is, because of the discussion it generates.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 6

In Job Hunt College Degree Can’t Close Racial Gap

By MICHAEL LUO

Published: November 30, 2009

Johnny R. Williams, 30, would appear to be an unlikely person to have to fret about the impact of race on his job search, with companies like JPMorgan Chase and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago on his résumé.

Click here to read more

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/us/01race.html?_r=1

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I think it is unfortunate that many job seeking African Americans (and other minorities) feel they must hide something that is such a huge part of their identities. What I believe is the most frustrating part of this conversation and debate is that, regardless of intentions, bias does still exist. But then the question for me becomes, how legitimate is the argument for “cultural fit,” as the article puts it? Obviously, similar people are naturally drawn to each other, and thus a corporate culture does evolve. And it could be that this designated corporate culture does allow the business to function as it always has. And in some industries, perhaps that cohesiveness and commonality is highly valued and a large part of the company's success. But could they not also be successful AND diverse?

So then a chicken and the egg scenario presents itself. Are these applicants not selected because they do not "fit" or do they not "fit" because diverse applicants are not selected, thus maintaining the "corporate culture"? When will the time come for the perspective to change to focus on the similarities, rather than focusing on the differences of race, gender, or background? I believe it all boils back down to the fear of change.

Fear of upsetting the traditional corporate culture, even in just a small way, could additionally be magnified in this time of economic recession. In times of stress, the instinct is to preserve oneself, rather than risk losing what is already intact.

Diveristy and Communication Blog Asingment 5

Video Game Design

November 8th, 2009

Chapter 6.5 of our textbook explored images of women in video games. Traditionally women have been presented in the following roles: Damsels in Distress, Femme Fatales, or Buxom Babes.

The chapter concludes as follows:

“What remains to be seen is whether images of women, which in the past were nearly absent from virtual worlds, will evolve beyond what one game producer called “fantasy art wet dream material” (”Girl trouble, 1998, p. 99) and into strong, independent characters th at are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

This blog assignment gives you the opportunity to become a video game designer. Describe how you would “redesign” women in a video game of your own creation so that they are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

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I would re-design women in video games so that their presence as virtual characters are equal to that of the males. This means that the video gamer would have an equal number of male and female characters to choose from, rather than the token one or two women characters that are generally available today.

In terms of appearance, I think it is important to note that many of the male characters are also typically idealized in their physical physique. So, I imagine any consumer is likely to appreciate and be more drawn to playing the games as an "attractive" character, regardless of sex. So though I would definitely avoid the "buxom babe" appearance, the female characters would probably be designed with attractive features. However, their chests and frames would be more realistically proportioned, and they would be fully clothed. Hopefully these changes in appearance will help lessen the Femme Fatale affect of alluring "vixen" imagery and behavior.

As far as damsels in distress, it simply wouldn't occur in my video game. It is unlikely I would create a violent video game, but if there was fighting in it, the characters (male or female) would probably be rescuing children or innocent bystanders. Characters could potentially rescue each other if the situation were to arise in my game, but it would work both ways- meaning, the female characters could rescue male characters as well as the other way around.

The appeal to the female character would not be one of sensual mystique, but one of courage demonstrated through selfless actions aimed towards helpings others. It is likely that in order for this to happen without mass amounts of violence, the emotional ties to characters or players in the game would have to be more dramatized than they are currently. It is these ties that, when tampered with, would garnish a strong enough gamer reaction to make role playing decisions that do not involve physical fighting, such as questions of loyalty, ethics, or morals, the primary bulk of the game activity. I suppose that in order to make the game marketable, there will have to be some level of combat, and so there will likely have to be inherently "evil" characters. This leads me to belive my game would have to be one based in fantasy, in order to avoid other detrimental stereotypes.

Cork Board Games of Life

So, in August I bought a huge cork board to hang on my wall. It was just 3 dollars at the PTA thrift shop in Carrboro, so I couldn't turn it down! I imagined papers, calendars, and pictures proudly displayed across the giant white gap on the long side of my room. Three months later, it is still sitting on the floor behind my chair with a solitary "I'm a senior, who the #@#! are you?" sticker push pinned to it. (Apparently neither push pins nor nails are strong enough to hold up the epicness that is my $3 cork board)

So, in a desperate attempt to organize my life this afternoon, I found a use for my prized board. Though it still sits on the ground , it now holds great purpose in its existence. It is now the home of my life goals for the year 2010 and other important check lists, with room for me to work through them over the coming months. Maybe this visual reminder will help me keep myself in line so that I can accomplish all that I want to before I graduate! Ahhh it is November! Time wizard....slow down!


To visually present most of the stuff going on in my head right now, here are each of my 7 checklists:


I am feeling much better now that I have that down....whew! I had a great weekend this weekend with Comfort Zone Camp, once again. My little was 7 years old, so it was quite an exhausting weekend filled with running, screaming, laughing, and way too many bodily fluids...

Catch up with me via e-mail or phone if you would like to hear more bc I'm heading out to Helping Horse! Hope you are all well! Hopefully talk to you all soon!

Diveristy and Communication Blog Asingment 4

Using Customs from Other Cultures

November 1st, 2009

On October 8, self-help “guru” James Arthur Ray hosted a sweat lodge experience as part of his Spiritual Warrior retreat in Sedona, Arizona which resulted in three deaths and several injuries.

The “sweat lodge” which was covered with tarps and blankets was 2.5 feet high on the sides and 4.5 feet high in the center. It is estimated that between 55 and 65 people participated in the ceremony.

Here is an account from a Beverly Bunn, an orthodontist who participated in the ceremony. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/earlyshow/main5413451.shtml

Many Native Americans are greatly concerned that their cultural practices are being misused by others for financial gain. Chief Arvol Looking Horse responds to this tragedy (prior to the third death) in Indian Country Today.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/64486777.html

Is it appropriate to use rituals and practices from other cultures?

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I believe it is inappropriate for individuals who are not educated or invested in the true purpose of rituals and practices of other cultures to conduct them. From his behavior, it seems Ray is one of these people. The Inikaga is an important and ancient ceremony, with many complex components and meanings passed down for generations. To attempt to replicate the process without proper training or without permission from tribal leaders would be disrespectful. As a result of the tragedy in Arizona, as well as other mimicking "sweat lodges," many feel the perception of Inikaga and Native American traditions are tarnished as misunderstandings are created.

"When you involve money, it changes the energy of healing."

I pulled this quote out because I feel it is one of the most important statements that Chief Arvol Looking Horse made in his response to the "ceremonies" conducted by Ray. If money is the primary reason for an individual to conduct a ceremony or ritual from another culture, the true purpose is already lost.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 3

Hotel Owner Tells Hispanic Workers to Change Names

By MELANIE DABOVICH, Associated Press Writer Melanie Dabovich, Associated Press Writer

TAOS, N.M. – Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.

The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they’d be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.

No more Martin (Mahr-TEEN). It was plain-old Martin. No more Marcos. Now it would be Mark.

Whitten’s management style had worked for him as he’s turned around other distressed hotels he bought in recent years across the country

To read more, visit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_trouble_in_taos

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When reading this article, I was most struck by the final quote from the 71 year old local artist. He said, "Nobody won here. It's not always about winning. Sometimes, it's about what you learn." I believe this is a valuable lesson which is applicable to any situation where ignorance meets diversity. In these pairings, disputes will always spark as one or both parties endure injury. Differences in culture or beliefs bring about explicit differences in interactions and/or experiences, which is exemplified in this scenario by the way Whitten managed his hotel.

It is obvious that Whitten did not understand the extent to which his behavior was offensive to his employees and to the community. The fact that he took "what always worked" and applied it to a population so different than he had previously worked with was evidence of this. The scenario suggests that Whitten either did not do his research, did not fully understand the community, or as some suggest, he was simply racist in his actions and attitudes.

I believe Whitten came from a community where these such behaviors were seen as acceptable. The fact that he was called out for his actions illustrates a positive characterization of the people of Taos. Perhaps Whitten will learn something from this experience, and he will open his eyes to a new perspective on what it means to be accepting of diversity.

I think it is equally important to consider the reverse though. It may seem backwards to need to "understand those who misunderstand," but knowing where ignorance comes from is the first step to battling it. Really the only way to learn these lessons is to bring these differing opinions and people together and to open dialogue and interactions between them. Attitudinal changes come more quickly with personal experience.