Media awareness, and moving forward
I'd like to revisit the whole media awareness topic, which I broached in a recent post. [1] It came upon me by surprise. Being in a *low* state - and impulsive as usual - I expressed myself in a most dissatisfying way. I didn't nearly do justice to my long-standing views on this important subject. [2]
I also felt that I'd let down many wonderful people - some of whom do an excellent job of critiquing media and news, or who offer alternative views to all the fluffy information (read, shallow, conformist, corporate-heavy propaganda) that the public is constantly inundated with. I know - I totally dropped the ball on this one.
Media and Embodying Difference
Mass communications is crucial in today's world - yet people allow it to govern their minds, perceptions, and world views completely unchallenged. It's UNREAL! I respect the entertaining and educational aspects of media - and its overall power - yet I find all too often, the mass media does NOT serve the well-being of people, society, or this planet, in general.
People of colour well understand how disempowering media can be. While we may be increasingly included in media representations, we still remain two-dimensional, 'either-or' stereotypes or caricatures of who we are and have the potential to be. Such stereotypes are often subtly negative. (I'm oversimplifying here.) There's also what I call 'The Stickiness Factor;' I'll explain more about this, later.
African-American educator bell hooks has written some ground-breaking works, analyzing the many aspects and impacts of media, social representation, and learning, as have Aboriginal educators Winona LaDuke and Ward Churchill, and so many other activist-academics. [3] Check 'em out. bell hooks has also done some children's books. I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ward Churchill and bell hooks in October 2003. [4]
All activists, fringe types, and marginalized folks experience being 'othered,' in one way or another - especially by the media. Be you a person of colour, queer, low-income, female, differently-abled, or whatever, there are many ways to get stigmatized.* Being viewed as less credible by those around you, or in the public's mind, is a constant struggle. Personally, the only people I've ever felt fully myself and whole around are those who: a) understand what it's like to be *different,* and b) honestly explore and lovingly celebrate their unique selves, while striving to live by their personal values - in spite of hegemony. [5]
*Note: I didn't include 'being green' in my personal list of stigmas, yet it has been one for me. The whole green issue is HUGE. At one time, I was more environmentally-responsible than some folks I meet - who merely look the part - yet, I get judged by so many. [6] (At least I can see my own contradictions in whatever I do, usually.) I also go 'against the grain' and have helped to instigate change, like starting paper-recycling programs in workplaces, getting people involved, spreading information, and so on. My various 'green' efforts date back to the 80s. I may not look like a tree-hugger type (actually, I have hugged trees), but I've been a lot more diligent than some. Also having once been a vegan (most things, except shoes, and that was due to circumstances, and then economics, etc), I'm aware of how powerful and political food choices really are.)
Making New Realities
Our society could be improved to help ensure better balances. Mass communications plays a critical role in affecting such changes (think Marshall McLuhan). [7] Learning how to effectively produce various forms of media, in order to develop more empowering messages, and help create spaces for different ways of thinking, being, and doing, is key. [8] What interests me about any type of media is its ability to tell a story, to stimulate greater awareness, and perhaps, even move people to ACTION. I strongly believe balanced, informative, and empowering media can help enable positive social and environmental changes.
I also believe in celebrating everyone - for each one of us deserves to be honoured and recognized, as the unique and wonderful human beings that we all essentially are inside (that is, if one lets go of the many social masks of distrust, animosity, misunderstandings, personal hurts, negative or traumatic experiences, and so on). [9] (Note: There are many ways to facilitate such socially-inclusive and holistic healing, and with courage and patience, anything is possible. I'll be posting resources on this topic, eventually.)
So, here's to *all of us* - the often unseen and unheard others. By making our voices heard, and taking back both our individual and collective power, we could help to create many positive and much-needed changes in this country.
--------
Notes to above:
[1] Due to the powerful public influence of Hollywood stars, I believe celebrities are increasingly being used to serve conservative agendas (see other posts).
[2] My main concerns about media are:
[3] See works by these thought-provoking academics:
See books by Winona LaDuke.
Books by bell hooks, and her website.
Published works by Ward Churchill.
(Note: Regardless of whether one agrees with these challenging authors or their viewpoints, in a so-called democracy, people have the right to be critical and should be able to express their opinions without censure. See books banned by U.S. libraries.)
[4] I had suggested bell hooks as a speaker at OISE's Spirit Matters: Wisdom Traditions and the "Great Work" conference. Glad they listened, but the conference, itself, was prohibitively expensive ($350 and $275 for students!).
[5] The greatest joy I've ever found have been in two seemingly opposite communities: a) open-minded or politically-conscious New Age spiritualists, and b) polyamorous, sexually diverse types (think The Ethical Slut and The Ethical Lover Group).
[6] The whole 'green' thing is a good example of how dualistic, and often negative, stereotypes tend to play out, based on race or other forms of difference. I call this: 'The Stickiness factor.' Just being one's natural self making better choices is never a possibility. At a fundamental level, such 'Othering' hinders our ability to create cohesive environmental action. Rare leaders, such as the greatly-missed Tooker Gomberg, have always seen past these things, looking as they do for real, holistic solutions.
(Note: Being committed enough to seek out the interconnectedness and taking a stand, while making one's voice heard - be it socially, environmentally, economically, or politically - is key to finding and co-creating workable solutions. I have come across many such individuals in the past year. This gives hope. Thank you for simply being you.)
[7] More about Marshall McLuhan and his work:
'Marshall McLuhan, the Man and his Message' - CBC Archives.
The Marshall McLuhan Global Research Network
'Marshall McLuhan: "The Medium is the Message"' by Todd Kappelman.
[8] For real news, check out 'Your Media' and 'Straight Goods.'
[9] There are many people whom I have dishonoured over these past few years. Regardless of how things transpired, I should try to let go. Making amends and forgiving myself and others would vastly improve my character. It may even help me to walk my talk better. Wish me luck.
I also felt that I'd let down many wonderful people - some of whom do an excellent job of critiquing media and news, or who offer alternative views to all the fluffy information (read, shallow, conformist, corporate-heavy propaganda) that the public is constantly inundated with. I know - I totally dropped the ball on this one.
Media and Embodying Difference
Mass communications is crucial in today's world - yet people allow it to govern their minds, perceptions, and world views completely unchallenged. It's UNREAL! I respect the entertaining and educational aspects of media - and its overall power - yet I find all too often, the mass media does NOT serve the well-being of people, society, or this planet, in general.
People of colour well understand how disempowering media can be. While we may be increasingly included in media representations, we still remain two-dimensional, 'either-or' stereotypes or caricatures of who we are and have the potential to be. Such stereotypes are often subtly negative. (I'm oversimplifying here.) There's also what I call 'The Stickiness Factor;' I'll explain more about this, later.
African-American educator bell hooks has written some ground-breaking works, analyzing the many aspects and impacts of media, social representation, and learning, as have Aboriginal educators Winona LaDuke and Ward Churchill, and so many other activist-academics. [3] Check 'em out. bell hooks has also done some children's books. I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ward Churchill and bell hooks in October 2003. [4]
All activists, fringe types, and marginalized folks experience being 'othered,' in one way or another - especially by the media. Be you a person of colour, queer, low-income, female, differently-abled, or whatever, there are many ways to get stigmatized.* Being viewed as less credible by those around you, or in the public's mind, is a constant struggle. Personally, the only people I've ever felt fully myself and whole around are those who: a) understand what it's like to be *different,* and b) honestly explore and lovingly celebrate their unique selves, while striving to live by their personal values - in spite of hegemony. [5]
*Note: I didn't include 'being green' in my personal list of stigmas, yet it has been one for me. The whole green issue is HUGE. At one time, I was more environmentally-responsible than some folks I meet - who merely look the part - yet, I get judged by so many. [6] (At least I can see my own contradictions in whatever I do, usually.) I also go 'against the grain' and have helped to instigate change, like starting paper-recycling programs in workplaces, getting people involved, spreading information, and so on. My various 'green' efforts date back to the 80s. I may not look like a tree-hugger type (actually, I have hugged trees), but I've been a lot more diligent than some. Also having once been a vegan (most things, except shoes, and that was due to circumstances, and then economics, etc), I'm aware of how powerful and political food choices really are.)
Making New Realities
Our society could be improved to help ensure better balances. Mass communications plays a critical role in affecting such changes (think Marshall McLuhan). [7] Learning how to effectively produce various forms of media, in order to develop more empowering messages, and help create spaces for different ways of thinking, being, and doing, is key. [8] What interests me about any type of media is its ability to tell a story, to stimulate greater awareness, and perhaps, even move people to ACTION. I strongly believe balanced, informative, and empowering media can help enable positive social and environmental changes.
I also believe in celebrating everyone - for each one of us deserves to be honoured and recognized, as the unique and wonderful human beings that we all essentially are inside (that is, if one lets go of the many social masks of distrust, animosity, misunderstandings, personal hurts, negative or traumatic experiences, and so on). [9] (Note: There are many ways to facilitate such socially-inclusive and holistic healing, and with courage and patience, anything is possible. I'll be posting resources on this topic, eventually.)
So, here's to *all of us* - the often unseen and unheard others. By making our voices heard, and taking back both our individual and collective power, we could help to create many positive and much-needed changes in this country.
--------
Notes to above:
[1] Due to the powerful public influence of Hollywood stars, I believe celebrities are increasingly being used to serve conservative agendas (see other posts).
[2] My main concerns about media are:
- a) Ensuring reliable information, better analysis, a wider range of perspectives, and public accountability;
- b) Cultivating awareness about the overall messages being broadcast to the public, which shape our collective consciousness; and
- c) Accurately representing the broad spectrum of society, in a less polarized and more whole way.
The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt [Source. More about Franklin Delano Roosevelt.]
[3] See works by these thought-provoking academics:
(Note: Regardless of whether one agrees with these challenging authors or their viewpoints, in a so-called democracy, people have the right to be critical and should be able to express their opinions without censure. See books banned by U.S. libraries.)
Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt
- Bergen Evans The Natural History of Nonsense [Source (see halfway down).]
In case anyone should forget, all of us 'Others'
share many common oppressions:
share many common oppressions:
[4] I had suggested bell hooks as a speaker at OISE's Spirit Matters: Wisdom Traditions and the "Great Work" conference. Glad they listened, but the conference, itself, was prohibitively expensive ($350 and $275 for students!).
[5] The greatest joy I've ever found have been in two seemingly opposite communities: a) open-minded or politically-conscious New Age spiritualists, and b) polyamorous, sexually diverse types (think The Ethical Slut and The Ethical Lover Group).
[6] The whole 'green' thing is a good example of how dualistic, and often negative, stereotypes tend to play out, based on race or other forms of difference. I call this: 'The Stickiness factor.' Just being one's natural self making better choices is never a possibility. At a fundamental level, such 'Othering' hinders our ability to create cohesive environmental action. Rare leaders, such as the greatly-missed Tooker Gomberg, have always seen past these things, looking as they do for real, holistic solutions.
(Note: Being committed enough to seek out the interconnectedness and taking a stand, while making one's voice heard - be it socially, environmentally, economically, or politically - is key to finding and co-creating workable solutions. I have come across many such individuals in the past year. This gives hope. Thank you for simply being you.)
[7] More about Marshall McLuhan and his work:
'Marshall McLuhan, the Man and his Message' - CBC Archives.
The Marshall McLuhan Global Research Network
'Marshall McLuhan: "The Medium is the Message"' by Todd Kappelman.
[8] For real news, check out 'Your Media' and 'Straight Goods.'
"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." - A.J. Liebling [See source.]
[9] There are many people whom I have dishonoured over these past few years. Regardless of how things transpired, I should try to let go. Making amends and forgiving myself and others would vastly improve my character. It may even help me to walk my talk better. Wish me luck.
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