Politics and Media

AS far as 1960’s there has always been opposition to government and politics among the population. During the Vietnam War, rock and roll was dominant with artists such as jimmy Hendrix that spoke against the war in return being viewed as unappreciative people. But the problem with this was the majority of population was against the war which made it difficult for politicians to justify their action especially when artist during the time reinforced their thoughts. During every government conflict there will always be an opposition for peace. As wars are fought for sheer profit in today’s world, it helps corporations expand and eliminate competitors if the investments are accurate. According to a war historian Stuart Brandes , there is more war profiteering today then another time period. CIA officials reported that nearly 50 percent ($50 Billion) of the war budget is going into privet contractors. Once the government starts investing into privet contractors with this much currency, the government gives power to these industries. In a industry of 50 billion a year, it is enough to buy a small country or feed all of Africa. All these contractors are paid to make more money. The weapons the contractors are made are used to protect national interests in foreign counties such as Iraq. According to the U.S Department Of Energy; Iraq contains 120 billion proven oil reserves and 220 billion barrels of possible oil reserve. The cost of a barrel in Iraq is low as a dollar to produce compared to the North Sea 12 dollars a barrel. On today’s market a barrel costs about 125 dollars, that’s almost all profit. As you see this is a perfect reason for war, as it is a source of pure profit. Once companies grow that they influence the government, is it the government controlling the companies or companies controlling the government? Usually our government is run by a capitalist regime, this means that everything is about money. All companies produced are not there to aid people instead produce a profit and be the leading contender in the market. The media is a perfect source to manipulate people to buy products and buy into events that make companies a lot of money. Large profiting companies don’t care about the interest of people. If the government doesn’t respect other regimes and cultures how do these companies respect its own citizens. There exists a tremendous amount of poverty throughout North America due to job loss. When there is poverty in an area there is a large amount of corruption. Ultimately putting the one with the most amount of power (money) in power.These companies attribute segnicantly to the country's economy. More then 10 percent of the American workforce works in weapon related industires. If these companies were to shutdown , it would enduce major poverty and high unemplyment rates. If weapon company's power is challenged, there exist precautions that these individuals are no hurt by these opposers. Tupac rapped about the ghetto and how the police where killing young males in poor areas. He explained that law makes them look guilty for tiring to live through inhospitable situations. The song “They don’t give a **** about us” highlights how the government and rich individuals don’t care about the general public unless it affects them. I think society has gone to far in capitalism and lost their humanity toward one another. All big industries should realize there are more then money and should stop killing and injuring innocent people for profit as they have done in the past. Linkin park song highlights current problems as a time capsule. “Like they understand you in the back of the jet, when you can’t put gas in your tank. These fuckers are laughing their way to the bank and cashing their check asking you to have compassion, have respect”. Manipulating people goes against the law as people are allows to free speech and expression, but where is that expression if we are told what to think and say? So we are practically told to sit back and watch while the world is tearing itself apart. Any opposition is eliminated that would hurt their major goal or economic investments. And this is why all media is controled by the gouvernment.

Harazuku Culture

I think Harazuku girls are not being stereotyped just represented by the media through western eyes. Harazuku culture alternates in style so there is no right or wrong when it comes to the image sense. In terms of view, all Harazuku girls are of Japanese descent as the Harazuku girls are from Gwen Stefani. As the aspect that they don’t talk is necessary to preserve that pure Japanese image, incase any of them have American accents. Gwen said “The Harazuku girls are a part of her imagination” which is a genius move to get the media such as newspapers and magazines to have articles on her, which in return would act as a cost free way of advertisement. This form of media is nothing new, many rappers and celebrities use news to gain fame or reestablish their fame. In many instances rappers used criminal activities to justify their songs as real instead of fake. Gwen used the same concept and the public views here as different and weird, exactly what she wants as Harazuku culture is foreign and will be strange in western culture. Many people oppose the HHHarazuku girls as they feel it’s a misrepresentation of the culture. The problem existing, it is a new culture in the western world and moderations have to take place in order to encourage sales which are necessary for media survival. A student studying media at university of Sophia said “home I was one of the few people who dressed this way, so sometimes I make the clothes myself and sell them on the Internet. Although entrepreneurial sounding, Jamie was quick to dismiss the suggestion that she is anything about business: I hate capitalism and all of that”. She adds that our need for currency brings us to manipulate products to fit our needs. Maybe this is really what the problem is as in today’s world everything revolves are money and cultures will be distorted to provide revenue. Any opposition toward the subject highlights the manipulation of the culture, which is necessary to fully understand the subject being discussed and not just believing what is provided. If we all believe what we are told, what makes us different? And we must ask why we are being told this? There are many fashion trends that are not original such as European culture within North America or Spanish culture, if we are questioning Japanese culture what makes any other culture being portrayed within North America any different.

Source:

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4495790/Harajuku-girls-co-opted-everyone.html Author: Kubo, Emily Publication: Japan Inc.
Publication Date: 22-JUN-05

Controversial Humour / Carolos Mencia

To what extent does our society allow humor and the freedom of speech? Everything that is allowed always has certain limitations and barriers. Depending on society, jokes are perceived as humorous or dull. All of this is dependent on how one individual was raised and what culture background he/she comes from. If a Mexican joke was told by a Mexican; would Mexicans get offended or laugh? Same controversy arrives from a Canadian telling a Mexican jokes. Some would see this as unacceptable that promotes racial and a discrimination attitude toward those certain races also enforces negative stereo types. Does a joke have the same meaning if it originates from that origin or does it have more of an impact if it was announced by another culture? The prefect example of this question would be from the comedian Carlos Mencia. Carlos Mencia is a Mexican, comedian born in Honduras Mexico. Carlos with his aunt and uncle arrived in America when Carlos was only a year old. His mother let his aunt and uncle raise him as Carlos's house was already packed with family and couldn’t take anymore members. Carlos was an exceptional student, receiving high grades in all his courses of high school. However growing up in East Los Angeles where gang life was dominant had a very large impact on Carlos. Carols returned to Honduras to escape the violence of the streets. He only saw that his house was just as inhabitable in Honduras as the streets of LA. Returning to Los Angeles, Carlos finished high school and went to university to major in electrical engineering. One credit shy of a diploma, Carlos went in pursuit for a comedy career. Starring in many HBO specials, Carlos made the audiences laugh with tears. Portraying views based on cultures and races even minorities like handicap people, often promoting certain stereotypes which made certain people feel uncomfortable. Many people frowned upon Carlos's work, saying it promotes negative attitudes to certain cultures. Many people also accused Carlos to have plagiarized works from Bill Cosby and other comedians. When Carlos was confronted on a television show Jimmy Kimmel Live about himself telling racial jokes and negative slurs on feministic views, Carlos responded in a way that justified himself too many but left many in the dark. Carlos himself is interested to what degree is humor accepted. Carlos came out with his own show “Mind of Mencia”. He often goes onto the streets and confronts people about their views and beliefs on jokes. People differ from individual to individual. Many people say it is unacceptable to use some jokes and others are in full compliance. Carlos stated “Words only affect individuals if those individuals allow them to” this is an excellent statement. What does Carlos mean by this statement? Is he racist or just humorous? What do you think about Carlos’s jokes?

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