A Cruel Male-Dominated Culture

Last semester I took Women's Studies 001.  One week, we discussed beauty norms.  That was when I first saw this picture.  Even then, I thought it said a lot, in many different ways.

First of all, it shows that beauty really is not defined by one set definition.  Rather, it is defined among societies, and it is different from one society to the next.  In the US, less clothing is more attractive.  Women walk around all the time with low-cut shirts on and shorts that redefine its name.  Women are suppose to be very skinny and show that off.  Furthermore, their hair is suppose to be flawless, and again, out so everyone can view it.  In the Arabic world, beauty is defined much differently.  They cover up their features, not necessarily because they are forced to, but because they have the right to do this.  They only reveal their full body to the ones they love, which produces a bond of trust that we as Americans will never know.  Their idea of beauty is not to flaunt body features. 

Also, this picture shows how different the cultures view each other.  Speaking for myself, any time I saw or heard of women wearing the complete burka and garments (I don't know the actual name?) I always felt bad for those women and thought about how oppressed they were for having to dress that way.  Until my Women's Studies class, I never thought that they might actually CHOOSE to dress that way.  In addition, I never thought of how they viewed us, wearing next to nothing like the girl in the picture. 

The words in the picture really hit me.  I almost had to laugh at the ignorance of both sides, an ignorance which I, myself, was victim to.  From the US standpoint, women are forced to cover themselves by men.  The "cruel, male-dominated culture" forced them to hide what they should be proud to show.  But from the other standpoint, American women are forced to reveal what they have the right to keep to themselves.  The "cruel, male-dominated culture" forces them to display themselves for a man's benefit. 

It all comes down to the culture.  Both have different perceptions of freedom and beauty.  Their garb reflects that.  Which one is actually the "cruel, male-dominated culture" is debatable, but what is clear is that each side is comfortable in their own clothing.

Birthdays on Facebook

It's your birthday!  It's your day, where everything is about you!  You love the presents and cards that you get.  It feels so special when you hear happy birthday from everyone.  And when they call or text.  But, does it feel as special when they say it over Facebook?

Rhetorically, a birthday shows the person just how much people appreciate that they know him or her.  Everyone is much nicer and grateful.  The birthday girl (I am just making a generalization of gender) receives gifts to commemorate their birth.  I know personally, I love hearing people say "happy birthday" to me.  It shows me that they really do remember.  It shows that I am special and important to them.  They value my relationship with them.  Maybe I put too much onto whether or not someone remembers my birthday, but I still think it is important.  And I am hurt when people forget my birthday.  Do they not care?  Am I not important to them?  Conventionally, the worst thing on my birthday was when people I was close to forgot about it.  Now, however, people who only say "Happy birthday" on Facebook really angers me.

I think that Facebook has made saying "Happy birthday" much less special.  Like I said before, it meant something to me when people said happy birthday.  But now, it's different.  I mean, it's still the same when people say it the conventional way.  But on Facebook, it's just annoying.  I continually question, "Are they just saying this because Facebook notified them, or because they are genuinely hoping I have a happy birthday."  Don't get me wrong, when certain people say it, it feels nice, but for the most part, I just question.  And the fact that there is at least 150 extra people (that I rarely talk to) who wish me happy birthday only confirms that they are only doing so because Facebook told them.  In the end, it makes the phrase "Happy Birthday" so much less special.


Photo by: someecards.com


Rhetorically, this means a lot, at least to me.  Social networking is changing our culture.  When the website reminds people when events are, does it make the relationship between you more special or less?  Whichever you decide, one thing is for certain; that in some way, it does change it.

Happy Valley

Yesterday it was pouring rain.  Today it's cloudy.  It's been dreary out and it has really affected my mood.  I found myself thinking, "Wow.  What a freaking 'happy' valley."  And then I wondered...why is it called happy valley?  I realized, it's all rhetoric.

By calling this place happy valley, it attracts people just by the name.  Obviously, 'happy' valley will be fun, exciting, and beautiful.  All the people there will be happy, and by going there it will in turn, make me happy.  Theoretically.  The name greatly overshadows the facts.  Many days its cloudy.  I think it has rained here in the past year than I have ever seen in my life.  And contrary to the name, I am not always the happiest person alive. 

Photo by: Max Kade

Also, I thought, maybe the name has connotations with the memories that happen here.  The past year here has been one of the best in my life.  Regardless of if the day was normal, great, or even bad, thinking back does bring a smile to my face.  I've went through a lot here. And I am sure many people have as well.  So maybe the name is referring to the idea of the memories held here. 

Lastly, I have to put it down.  Maybe it's called happy valley because, well, where else would "happy valley" be besides Penn State?  The football games, the parties, THON, the academics, the creamery, the students, the Willard preacher, Old Main, the....everything.  It's all one big community that is amazing in and of itself.  So maybe people aren't always happy.  Maybe the weather isn't always great.  Maybe the memories aren't always the fondest.  But one thing is for sure.  Penn State will always be Happy Valley.