The times they are a-changin’.
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Does our media reflect our society… or does society mimic the media? I once had a young lady approach a photographer at his studio, asking for a shoot with the subsequent “photo-shopping” so she’d look “Beautiful”. When he asked why she’d want to misrepresent herself and why she’d want someone attracted to who she was not she blatantly said… I don’t care, i’d be beautiful. At that point he simply directed her to me and said She needs your help.
It’s not what you say but what you do that has an impact .
A vast number of women are influenced by media images. they take great stake and investments in those “Social Media shots” yes many pay for professional editing.
Oprah’s recent magazine cover drew attention for the 3 and 1/2 lb wig she donned. What it said about “hair” and it’s importance to culture. Our Hair has gone “mainstream” or jas it? is a valid conversation. Oprah in a “fro…The wig itself is fum,
am always told that “you Look like “Oprah” and as a lark i superimposed my head, To prove I did not.. then just felt the body did not match so I added on some of what was taken off.I understand the debate about hair, but for me it’s the digital butchering of the female physique, especially the Black female body that caught my attention.and rings my alarm bells. how can we speak on dangerous plastic surgery when we so prolifically cut paste and edit. Quick fixes are the norm.
As a custom designer I’m on the front-line and see the effects of this…. you see so many “lollipop heads walking around women the number of women asking to “slim” their hips has risen. I joke that it’s the vanilla and Asian sistas who now have the ‘booty”.
We in our community are afraid to have an opinion, especially one that differs from standard or accepted belief. Why would someone who preaches self acceptance with the power she has allow the digital butchering (and a really poor job at that)’ of her own body? Does it matter and should she care? So OK, I think too much but … that’s the power of media., to make you reflect.
Image Note:- Does your media reflect your society… or does society mimic the media? I superimposed my image on the cover look;- it was much easier than buying a 3 and 1/2 Lb wig LOl.
