This Whole Body Modification Freaks Me OUT!

In response to what Jodi said, I agree this whole Body Modification thing is a little creepy. I guess what it comes down to is each person does their own thing. They each create their own standard and that is why they go through with it. They come to this standard thanks to the media and the people around them. We just have to accept people for their differences and why they go to extremes like these.

It is quite creepy and scary but for some people this is their idea of normal. It is also a way for them to fit in with their surroundings. Remember, tattoos and piercings were considered wild at one point as well but now no one looks twice at them. Eventually, these new types of body modification like subdermal implants will be accepted too.

Hidden vs. On the Outside

When people get plastic surgery done they are either doing it to enhance a feature and be noticed for it or to enhance a feature ever so slightly that way you do not notice an imperfection at first glance. Then when you look at those who get holes in their ears and grow them out practically to their shoulders you figure they do not want this hidden. They are rebelling against something. The question is what are they rebelling for? They are making some kind of statement but it is not outright.

Is altering your body a type of rebellion? Why would some alter their body in a hidden way instead of doing it it on the outside for the world to see????? Altering your body can come in many forms and people do it for many different reasons... I just question their motives for doing it. It is a very interesting topic and as I mentioned before in previous posts I look forward to going deeper into the issue and learning more about why people do it and analyzing its effects.

Stars on foreheadssssss?

After discussing the whole issue of body transformation in class on Friday I cannot get over the things people will do to their body. I was in shock when I saw all of the pictures of the people with hearts on their chests, rings on their arms, and stars coming out of the temples of their foreheads. Personally, I do find it odd but after thinking about it people should be able to do it if they want to.

It is odd because it is a different form of plastic surgery we are not used to. When compared to breast implants it is basically the same thing using silicone to enhance a feature. Therefore, plastic surgeons and society and general should not be the first to jump on the gun and immediately disregard it as a whole. If people feel the need to do this then they should. Some might find it completes them then do it. Just always remember there is side effects EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

I HATE MeMe Roth

After today's class I have grown a huge amount of hate towards MeMe Roth. What gives her the position to call Jordin Sparks overweight and make that the reason as to why she should not be the next American Idol????? Who does this woman think she is? Sure someone who is overweight will be exposed to many different diseases that come along with it and that is their choice to do something about. However, it does not mean that they are not qualified enough to be a role model to the rest of America.

This MeMe woman seems to feel that she is right... anyone who is overweight should not be in a high position in society because they are not suitable and they are sending a bad message. This is disgusting and rude. I personally, feel this woman should be sued for all of the negative "advise" and "views" she has drilled into American society's heads. She has a major in PR and Marketing so what gives her the qualification to call someone overweight? I am majoring in the same thing I would never dare throw that term around unless I had some sort of medical training.

I am in shock by MeMe Roth's opinions...

Cosmetic Surgery

In response to what Jillian said about cosmetic surgery... I disagree.  People who want to get cosmetic surgery done should be able to.  It is their money or their insurance's and they can do with it as they please.  Some cases it makes sense to get it done if your back is hurting then get your breasts reduced or if you have nasal problems get your nose fixed.  Whereas, others feel that they are not comfortable with a certain part of their body so they try to fix it somehow to make it better for themselves.  Some might disagree with it but if the person wants to get it done they should be able to.  We do live in a democracy... right?

I was just thinking about how cosmetic surgery kind of gives a false hope to society.  It makes you think that whenever something is wrong it can be fixed when in reality this is not the case.  We cannot always fix something by going through surgery or redoing a body part.  Sometimes you just have to take the bad and make something good out of it or at least learn from it.

Cosmetic Surgery is a very interesting topic and I look forward to being able to go into more detail with it in the next essay!

Hair = Politics ?????

The video clips we watched today in class I found to be so interesting!  Neil Lester a professor at University at Arizona discussed his studies on hair and how he has found that they can dictate a lot about "patterns of identity constructions historically."  He is right!  We see young African American girls looking up to pop star celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, and others.  And we see straight hair glorified.  However, for those like young African American girls they were not born with this so they will do anything in their power to achieve this look.

It is sad to me, because I feel people should be proud of their heritage and wear it all over them not change it to fit in.  As Lester talks about his daughter who wanted her hair chemically straightened he said that no longer does she have virginal hair because she has changed it.  I can only imagine how hard this was for him to go through and see how much his daughter wanted to assimilate into society.  (This is similar to Benetha in the play "A Raisin in the Sun")  She could no longer go swimming, she had to stay away from rain, and not sweat in P.E.  Why would you go to this extreme to look different?  Or to fit in?  I guess it is similar to plastic surgery...

All in all hair is a way to read culture, race, politics, and gender.  We also see people being judged based on their hair.  For instance Lester has dreadlocks and he says that people are always asking him if he is from Jamaica or if he is Rastafarian when in reality he is neither.  People perceive things just because the way others look and in most cases your judgement is wrong.  

Ahhh... this essay...

In response to what Matt said about this essay, I agree it is a difficult topic to go into a lot of detail about.  However, it will write itself.  I found today already that by doing the conferences with our workshop groups I have already gotten some great feedback that I can use to dive further into my essay.  It seems as if there is many other routes that I can take that I have not thought about before until my group sat down today.

I think that when other people read what you write they get a good feel as to your style and parts of the essay that need some of your elaboration on.  For Matt's essay I was able to look at it and think from his point of view where he could put in more detail and at the same time have it be effective.  He seems to really be off to a great start.  

I am grateful for my group.  Each one brings something different to the table to help out each other.  Jodie is queen of grammar she corrects it all!  While Matt looks at the paper realistically and sees if it makes sense.  Whereas Christine tells you where you can go in more detail.  With the three of them looking at my essay I feel that I am in great hands!  Thanks guys! :)