Author: Alexa Navarro

Does an Artist’s Personal Life Matter?

Alexa Navarro

More often than not, when we consume media, whether we listen to a song or watch a movie, it is hard for us to not consciously or subconsciously focus on the artist’s personal life. Or if we do not know much about the artist initially, it is common for the majority of us to Google them and find out about their personal life. Thus this begs the question: does an artist’s personal life matter when consuming their art, or are the two things completely unrelated and should it even be taken into consideration?

I have always felt conflicted with this question, because I am myself guilty of consuming media by people who have in the past or currently do not engage in exemplary behavior. For example, I am open about the fact that I am a huge fan of Woody Allen’s films, and have yet to find a film of his that I dislike. I love the style of his films, the quirkiness and charm of virtually all of the movies that he releases. However, the allegations of child molestation and abuse made against Allen by Dylan Farrow, his former partner Mia Farrow’s adoptive daughter, are no secret. She claims abused her at the age of seven.

On a slightly different note, I have also always been a fan of Chris Brown. I listen to his music all of the time and find him to be extremely talented. However, his personal life is very well-documented and public, and it is no secret that he has in the past been very abusive and hot-tempered, especially against his partners.

So keeping those two examples in mind, I believe that domestic abuse and child molestation (as well as other such despicable acts) are inexcusable and disgusting, and should not be overlooked when we look at an artist, no matter how much we admire their work. Choosing to ignore such behavior perpetuates this idea that it is not a big deal and that it is virtually okay for things like this to happen. This behavior becomes normalized, which is one of the many reasons victims don’t come out and speak out about their abuse: they feel like they won’t be believed, virtually no action will be taken against their perpetrators, and/or people in power can get away with anything. Just look at the cases of Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, as well as a stream of other rich public figures that are in positions of power.

Thus, all in all, although I’m guilty of supporting problematic artists, I now do realize that it is hypocritical on my behalf. While an artist and their art are technically separate things and one has nothing to do with the other, in the grand scheme of things, supporting one’s art is supporting an artist, both monetarily and politically. So with that being said, if you truly stand against the terrible things that an artist does, but then you go out to watch their latest film or you stream their newest track, you are inadvertently letting them get away with it and furthering the power that they hold .

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Three Classic Films to Watch

Alexa Navarro

Movies, just like other pieces of art, are important works that can say a lot about society and send important messages to the masses. Movies can also be political. There have been a plethora of important films since the medium’s conception, and many of them have vital political and social themes. So, here are some classic movies that I highly recommend.

1. “All the President’s Men”

This movie is a very excellent take on the important role that journalists play within the United States. It focuses on Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, and the investigative journalism that they undertook in exposing the details of the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to Richard Nixon’s resignation as president. This movie is significant, because it shows that within a democracy, journalism plays a crucial role in informing the masses and exposing them to information that they have a right to know.

2. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”

This classic film starring Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier carries an extremely powerful message, as it deals with interracial marriage and racial tensions during the 1960s in the United States. It hones in on a couple that recently got engaged, and the events that ensue after the white daughter brings home her black fiancé to meet her parents. In the film, the white parents grapple with the idea that their daughter has chosen to marry a black man, which was something extremely controversial at the time and even illegal in some states.

3. “To Kill a Mockingbird”

This movie with Gregory Peck (who actually attended San Diego State back when it was a college for school teachers) is based off of the classic novel by Harper Lee. This film is an extremely important work, and even won Peck an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Atticus Finch. It shows the unjust race relations that were rampant during the 1930s in the U.S. The movie focuses in on a black man who is unjustly accused of raping a white woman, and really showcases the racism that African-Americans had to endure during that time period (and still do now). This heartbreaking film is a classic that really sends a political message about the unjust nature of society.

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Youth and Celebrity Culture

Alexa Navarro

More than ever before, it seems like the younger generations of both Millennials and Generation Z tend to invest much more time and interest in celebrity news. What celebrities are up to and what drama they’re involved in tends to consume young minds. Who’s pregnant, which celebrity couple broke up and what celebrity got plastic surgery are at the forefront of a lot of pop culture news stories.

With the prominence of social media outlets like Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram, celebrities are able to update fans and followers on their lives frequently and instantaneously. By posting photos and videos of their lavish lifestyles on private jets and yachts, stacks of hundred dollar bills and their almost too-perfect-to-be real selfies, people have become immersed and infatuated with celebrity culture.

Unrealistic beauty standards have arisen. It just takes one simple visit to Instagram’s main page of trending photos to see that a lot of women are striving to look a certain way. Diversity is being embraced less, as celebrities like the Kardashians and Jenners, other reality TV stars, actors/actresses, and artists, have influenced many young men and women to do their makeup in a certain way and to dress in a certain style. Trends such as lash extensions, lip fillers and plastic surgery have risen in prominence.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with one owning his/her sexuality and not being afraid to present themselves in whatever way they want to without fear of being judged by society. However, the importance that has been placed on a lot of celebrities has influenced younger boys and girls. And, there is now an insurmountable amount of pressure placed on youth to adhere to certain standards of beauty and conduct, for them to be deemed acceptable or beautiful.

These pressures have arisen from the importance and time us youth have invested in talking about celebrity news, and in being immersed in the personal lives of these stars. A lot of young people are so invested in it, that they actually do feel affected when their favorite celebrity couple breaks up, or when their favorite rapper is beefing with another rapper.

The fact that we as a society value so highly what celebrities have to say and what they’re doing directly points to the fact that our society is very superficial, and places a lot of importance on money, conventional beauty and status. Younger generations think that the only way to be respected and successful nowadays is to make a six-figure salary or to be a millionaire, and have lost the concept of what really matters. We should not spend so much time caring about celebrities and what they do, and should focus more on issues that actually matter and do affect our lives in real and meaningful way.

Featured Image: Retrieved from here. 

 

Unwarranted Stereotypes in TV and Film

Alexa Navarro

In the wake of Halloween, a day in which every year without fail, there are people who dress up in offensive and insensitive costumes, it seems necessary for me to address offensive cultural stereotypes that are ever-present in popular media today. In previous decades and in the present day, films and television shows have portrayed racial minorities in stereotypical manners that have in turn, had consequences both politically and socially for minority populations in the U.S.

The portrayal of minorities in film was a lot worse decades ago, with minorities being portrayed in ridiculous manners by actors who were not even part of the culture they were dressing up as, through things like blackface, yellowface and other cultural appropriations. However, while today such tactics are deeply frowned upon in Hollywood, the film industry has still yet to truly progress in their portrayal of minority characters in film and T.V.

Latinos are still portrayed in stereotypical manners. It is not uncommon for Latinos to be made a mockery of, be played as having heavy accents for a “comedic” effect, be portrayed as simple-minded gardeners, or be depicted as “dumb,” such as in the popular movie “Nacho Libre.” A common stereotype that Latina actresses tend to be locked into are roles as obedient and one-dimensional house maids, or the role of a sex vixen. Other common stereotypes include being depicted as “Latin lovers,” a “cholo” who is involved in drugs and gang violence, an undocumented immigrant, or be wearing a sombrero and a poncho as Mariachi music plays in the background.

All of these stereotypes have been a disservice to the Latino community, as the popularization of such TV shows and films that portray Latinos in a one-dimensional manner serves to fuel the biases and misconceptions that non-Latinos have of the Latino culture. These stereotypes are deeply rooted in the psyche of many people, and serve to form prejudices in the minds of many. But the Latino community are not the only ones to be depicted in such a stereotypical manner, as many other races and ethnicities have had to deal with the same thing.

The portrayal of Native Americans have also been deeply damaging to the Native American community. Being depicted as “savages” or alcoholics, among many other things, has served to construct a deeply misguided perception that a lot of people have of the community. The Muslim population also has dealt with stereotypical portrayals of their community in popular Hollywood films, which has added to the deep prejudice that is unfortunately ever-present in the U.S. today. Asian Americans and African Americans have also dealt with being portrayed in stereotypical manners.

Thus, it is important that when we watch films and TV shows, we understand that the way certain minority communities are portrayed is more often than not, an inaccurate representation that draws on deeply-damaging and incorrect stereotypes crafted from many years of historical prejudice, racism and political scapegoating.

Featured Image retrieved from here.