#mackenzieobrien

Christopher George Latore Wallace (1972 - 1997) AKA The Notorious B.I.G.

Jessie J-Do It Like A Dude

I don’t necessarily enjoy this song, but I find the music video very interesting.  During the extra credit lecture on Friday, the speaker touched on how hesitant the mainstream media is to sexualize “butch” girls.  That being said, this music video has sparked some conversation within the music industry.  The artist is openly bisexual, and the concern is whether or not she will be successful if she keeps portraying this “butch” side. 

Being in this class has challenged me to think on a deeper level about the series Orange is the New Black. As a result, I have done some research on what other people have been saying about the show, and this article is by far one of the most opinionated that I have come across. From the very beginning the author is clear about how strongly she feels against the show, and even goes as far as comparing the series to slave narratives of the mid-nineteenth century.

While the author does stress the limitations of the show, I also think she does a good job of acknowledging the few good aspects of it (jobs for black actors and a credible role for a trans black actor).  She also mentions the fact that the author of the book the series is based on is dedicated to prison reform. While this show does get people talking about prison life issues, its shortcomings in terms of race and gender leave me wondering whether the show is doing more harm than good.

"Everything" by Michael Buble

Of course I have to throw in a Michael Buble song given he is amazing (and not hard on the eyes either).  The first time I heard this song I pretty much took it at face value because it is simple enough to enjoy without much interpretation.  What I love most is how the song shows a true appreciation for the woman it is about.  It is clear that they are not a new couple, but even though she’s “every minute of his every day” and present in everything he does, he still expresses how mysterious she remains.  In a sense, it shows how falling in love with someone is an ongoing process because you’re constantly learning more and more about each other.  

This topic seemed to spark some interest in class yesterday, so I thought it would be beneficial to post an actual article about it.  Apparently, upon sensing that her story was going to become newsworthy, the teacher wrote an essay in response (the link to which can be found here: http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/09/05/exposeing-my-breasts-on-the-internet/

The Washington Post article pulls out a quote from this essay that I absolutely love: “So here’s the story, internet: I fed my sick baby during feminist anthropology class without disrupting the lecture so as to not have to cancel the first day of class. I doubt anyone saw my nipple, because I’m pretty good at covering it. But if they did, they now know that I too, a university professor, like them, have nipples. Or at least that I have one.”  Clearly, she was not very happy with the public’s response when she wrote this essay (and this was before it even hit national news!).

As for whether I think her actions were justified, I am undecided.  I can see both sides of the argument, and I’m curious what the rest of the class may think.

The author of this article interviewed a man who decided to travel the world and interview all different kinds of couples because he was fed up with all of the love stories he had been hearing in everyday life.  When asked what the best advice he received was, he said, “Don’t be afraid to be the one who loves the most”.  I think this definitely applies to our generation in particular, always hearing that the one who cares the least holds the most power.  The article also includes some tips about the key things he saw in successful relationships.  Overall, it was a great read and I will definitely be on the look out for his documentary!