New Years Eve Rant
I am ready for a new year! I know it will take a while to remember that it’s not 2011 anymore as I date my papers, let alone that it’s not 2010, 2009, or 2008. It’s crazy how quickly time passes. I know that I’m only 20 years old, but I feel like time is rushing by and I’ve learned a lot about myself since I went to college. I love women/gender and media studies, both of which I majored in freshman year.
I agree with a lot of what I learned concerning subliminal messages, power dynamics and how everyday messages could possibly create problems. I agree with so much that feminism stands for but I simultaneously believe this: why should we let these outside sources, such as movies, music, etc. mean so much to us? Sure, maybe the music I listen to at the gym doesn’t portray women in the right way and yes, it is fucked up. But some things are not going to change. I sound cynical, but it’s not. Why should I not enjoy my cheesey Taio Cruz tunes when working out if it pumps me up, though? I understand that people live by example, and media, especially music videos and lyrics have a great impact. I am an optimist and I do believe that bad things can and do change. It is important to recognize problems in society, but don’t let them control your day-to-day way of seeing the world.
I am aware of certain inequities in the world and want to do what I can to change them, but I also don’t want to spend all of my time complaining. Life is about so much more than that. Life is too short to complain all of the time and analyze every commercial or ad. With that said, it is important to speak up. People should live their lives with awareness rather than constant upset and the need to whine. I think what I am trying to say it that you are only young once (let alone, alive once!), so enjoy things without worrying that you’re fulfilling a gender role, subverting one, or transcending one. Just do what you want to do!
