Blog post 7
Emma Martin
Chapter 22, "Eating the Other: Desire and Resistance", by Bell Hooks was very interesting when it comes to white domination over media and other races. Bell Hooks explained that we currently live in a society where white individuals have a great desire for those to be known as "Other", stating that that desire may not be considered morally wrong but "is the ever-present reality of racist domination, of white supremacy" that makes this desire problematic (Hooks). Hooks exclaim that this desire for the "Other" adds spice and is a "seasoning that can liven up the dull dish that is mainstream white culture" really stood out to me (Hooks, 424). How true that statement is today, especially if one were to look at how white media tends to obsess and often sexualize those who are of a different race. Hooks even acknowledges that those who are "often ignored can be seduced by the emphasis of otherness because it offers the promise of recognition and reconciliation" ( Hooks, 428). I find this very sad that marginalized may go to the extent of taking any kind of attention in order to be noticed and treated fairly. Another issue with the desire for the "Other" is cultural imperialism, specifically "white cultural imperialism that maintains white supremacy and is a threat to those who are seeking liberation" (Hooks, 433). White cultural imperialism is masked in the majority of our media today, from advertisements/commercials, and movies to fashion catalogs and brands. Although there may be some media displaying good intentions when it comes to desire, such as the musical Hairspray appreciating black culture, the majority of the time these intentions are to recognize that whiteness equals power and superiority, hence the meaning of white supremacy. I also wanted to acknowledge the importance of understanding racial essentialism and how it affects white culture into believing those who are different shouldn't be treated with affection. This only continues to dehumanize those who are considered to be "Other".
I find it saddening how few people recognize the issue of how much power white people hold and aren't accounted for. One example I think of when it comes to racial essentialism and white cultural imperialism is how western movies portray other countries. The most common example of this is when films add a tint when characters visit or travel to other countries, like Mexico or Egypt. They also display these countries as dirty or underdeveloped, when they are far from it. I find it hard to understand how we are able to acknowledge the desire for "Others" to be both good and bad. Yet, dehumanization and neglect towards marginalized groups progress within our media and still create images that these people and countries are inferior to those that are predominantly white.
Hooks, Bell. "Eating the Other: Desire and Resistance". Black Looks: Race and Representation, pp. 21-39. Boston, Mass: South End Press, 1992.
Hey Emma,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is really sad how people want to be noticed so bad that they objectify and appropriate entire groups of people. It's not a big surprise that the people who spend their time trying to be like others don't get noticed, but that is a topic for another day. They don't realize that what they're doing is wrong or could be perceived as offensive, which demonstrates their lack of education on cultures and other similar topics. It really goes to show what kind of person you are if you have to appropriate just to add "spice" to your personality. A question to leave on would be, I suppose, how can we appreciate and incorporate cultures into our life without appropriation or disrespect?