In response to Kirsten

I also picked up on what Kirsten defined as the, “paradox of a sexually repressed American culture where sex and sexuality is seemingly omnipresent from a consumer perspective yet suppressed in education and dialogue”. Like our group discussed in our first media culture project, there is no secret that sex sells. What we defined as raunch culture in the beginning of the semester is the majority of the things we see on TV, internet or magazines. Considering this I don’t understand how many school districts can brush messages glorying sex aside and attempt to teach abstinence. The issues that were addressed in our three readings should be addressed in schools in order to teach relevant things to our children. If we fail to send the messages we want our children to receive in schools than they will be forced to gather information from things they see on the TV, internet and/or magazines.

Maybe if we start teaching children at a younger age about sexuality, we can prevent new waves of racism from perpetuating themselves. For example, the “new racism” that Collins discusses in “Black Sexual Politics” plants stereotypes into society that it is acceptable to look at people of color as over-sexualized beings who give in to their natural, animalistic, sexual urges. Although the new racism is different than prior forms of racism because Black people no longer are slaves or oppressed by the government, society still “incorporates elements of past racial formations” today (Collins, 33). By representing the African American population in negative ways, television dramas and pop stars in very sexual performances, “ideas about sexuality and gender that were very much a part of prior forms of racial rule remain as important today” (Collins, 33). Watching the first clip of the Jerry Springer show completely dramatizes the stereotype that Black men are sexual beings and the entire Black race are like savage, animals who will not hesitate to fight. Jerry Springer’s stage almost provokes fights with the subject matter he chooses to present. The entertainment value of their fights is also heightened by the sound effects that accompany the punches. In addition, the performance from Beyonce’s performance at the 2010 Grammy’s updates Collin’s example of her and her groupmates performing “Bootylicious”. It makes me disappointed that in ten years, Beyonce has not come very far. Although she is no longer in the jungle, but is starring on a big stage, she is still resorting to a type of performing that highlights her sexual value over her talent as a singer.
Although it is not a simple fix, I hope that in the next ten years we can make some more significant progress in the face of racism. Perhaps teaching a more accurate curriculum when it comes to sexual issues in schools will combat racial stereotypes at a young age.