Killing Us Softly 3

Killing Us Softly 3

Jean Kilbourne

I absolutely became a fan of Jean Kilbourne after watching her Killing Us Softly 3 video. I cannot say that I ever really thought about how much influence advertising plays on our lives. When I was in high school I wanted to become a plastic surgeon, but one who helped individuals who were injured in accidents or those born with a defect. I was then, and I still am today, against the surgery for a new face, enhanced breast, tummy tucks, etc.

I certainly never recognized how our society is continuing this insane view of what a women is and what she should do. As an American, I just thought we were so enlightened in our attitude that women are strong and confident; they can do or be anything. After listening to Jean I realize I am so completely wrong!

I just watched Sex in the City 2 on Friday night and that was just all levels of sick and twisted. It simply made it like women were shallow, self-centered, completely consumed by fashion, and that the reality is that we will continue to be that way until the day we die. At 52 we are going to be trying to look young and fresh like a Miley Cyrus, and our main goal in life will be to get laid, because only that will complete us. The movie just made women look stupid! It was completely void of the current events in life, like no jobs for those of us just about to get out of college and hoping to start careers.

On the other hand, I recently went to see Burlesque, and completely loved it and did not see it as a negative. Both main characters, Cher and Aguilera’s came across as strong, confident, intelligent, talented, witty, sexy women. In my mind sexy is fun and should be enjoyed, and being a woman is a good thing. It just seems to me that a woman naturally owns her body and is worthwhile. Society might want me to feel differently, but in my little bubble I am choosing to ignore the rules they want to throw my way.

The beauty of Jean Kilbourne is that she makes us aware of what we are really looking at. An advertisement showing women being stalked by shadowy figures, and our hands over our mouths, passive positions, versus the visuals we get of men in action, successful, confident, over achieving hero’s. Oh, and my favorite fact from Ms. Kilbourne was that only 5% of women are born with the genes to support the look that a model has. That 95% of us are suppose to dream of something we can never achieve, to be the Barbie doll that is anatomically incorrect is just mind blowing! Knowledge is power and I am so thankful for being introduced to Jean Kilbourne and Killing Us Softly!

I am a fan of True Blood and happen to have a magazine cover in my stash of fun stuff. I thought it was fair game for all three individuals but I will take a better look after I post this.