(1) Read a few other students' responses to the question about subliminal messaging with The Lion King & Abercrombie clothing advertisements.
(2) Write and explain why you agree or disagree with another student's thoughts, mentioning the other student by name; the comment you post here must be 150+ words.
79 comments:
Winterringer Pd. 2
RE: Matthew Haase
I really agree with what Matt said about how kids could play games based on The Lion King, giving the girls the roles of the females, in turn, conditioning them to act like that because of what they saw in the movie; telling them that they can’t be Simba or “king” because they are a girl, so they start to be conditioned to think that girls can’t be leaders, or can’t be in power.
I also agree with what he said about Abercrombie. I had never really thought about how the pictures of half-naked guys on their walls and shopping bags would have an effect on girls. Of course they’re going to think (at least subconsciously,) that buying Abercrombie’s overpriced clothing is going to help them get guys like that. Obviously that type of thing doesn’t just affect the girls. The guys are going to see that, and they’re going to think that wearing Abercrombie’s clothing, or (terrible smelling,) “cheap” cologne is going to make them appear more attractive to girls, and the girls are going to see them the way they see those male models.
Groninger Period 2
I would agree with Matt that children may play games such as house or doctor and take roles according to what they see in TV, movies, or advertisements and that may lead to the boys taking dominate roles such as playing the “dad” and going to work while the mother cooks and cleans which is a common stereotype for some TV shows. I would also agree that many advertisements use very attractive models with their product to try and give the message that if you buy this you will hook up with an attractive guy or girl. I would say that all advertisements give subliminal messaging even at a young age to the fact that boys are to like guns and footballs and basketballs while girls are to like barbies and dress up and the like. In the Lion king it very much sends the message to kids that certain racial groups should be leaders of all the other people/animals. So in conclusion I think for sure there is subliminal messages in everything we do.
Mork pd.2
I disagree with Matt Haase opinion completely on what he was saying about The Lion King. How can little kids even comprehend half of what we analyzed in class, they only watch it because it is entertaining with cute animals. It’s not like they are sitting down and paying attention to how the voices sound or what kind of things they are saying like Scars saying he should curtsey. And when it comes to being sexist I doubt they notice that man is all powerful in the film. Also I really don’t think it is teaching them to separate boy from girls because if you didn’t notice Simba and Nala were best friends and they were of opposite genders. So how could that possibly be saying that boys should only be friends with boys and girls should only be friends with girls? That is exactly why I disagree with Mr. Haase.
Kalo pd .2
I agree with what Jessi Peterson says, the store does have small sizes and overpriced clothing, when you go into that store you almost feel like you need to exercise more, because when you don’t fit into your size makes you feel bigger than you do. So why would you put yourself through that just so you can buy over priced clothing it’s not worth the pain and the price to look and feel like that. It doesn’t matter what size you are or what class your family in under; ex. (middle, high, low) you can still look good and feel good with whatever you wear because like Jessi said your friends are still going to be your friends no matter what you wear or what size you are . So you don’t have to go to Abercrombie just to be liked by other peers go to target and buy something that looks exactly the same.
Haase
Pd. 2
In contrary to my own thoughts I can't help but agree with Kelli. I remember when I was five I loved this movie and I don’t ever recall all of these facts about Scar, Mufasa, or the hyenas. For children to pick up signs of Scar being “extra special” (gay) or to associate the hyena’s accents with foreigners is a stretch. It is true as a child you don’t have the knowledge to pick out characteristics like these or subliminal messages like these. I still do think that it is highly possible for children to pretend play these characters and put women down as humans. The theory that pride rock is also a sign of masculinity is also hard to fathom I think they just needed a large monument that showed strength and dominance over the circle of life. Much like what Kelli said “I also would have never guessed that pride rock was a symbol of a penis.”
Jamie Sherman Pd. 2
I must disagree with Mr. Winterringer’s opinions on the subliminal messages in The Lion King. I strongly believe that The Lion King does have a subconscious effect on children. The “bad guys” in the movie are not white males. They are black, Latino, and female. How does that not teach kids to be racist/sexist? This is especially apparent when a child has never heard a Latino voice before. They watch The Lion King and associate the Latino voice with a Hyena, and the Hyena is bad. Does this mean when they hear a Latino voice outside of the movie, they associate it with something bad? It could happen.
To follow up on the advertisements, I did agree with the majority of comments posted. It’s not by chance that in all of Abercrombie and Fitch’s ads, there are attractive people. I have yet to see an ad that has an overweight person in it; and all of the males in the ads are overly muscular. That’s another subliminal message. If you wear these clothes, you’ll be skinny and fit. I completely agree with Mr. Matt Christensen’s most recent comment on the practice blog. He actually stated what I have said above. They make their customers feel bad about themselves, and then return with, “If you buy our clothing, you’ll be attractive and fit and you’ll be able to find an attractive partner.” Thus, knowing people will buy their clothing, they over-price it. More people buying the clothes + over-pricing the clothes = More money for the company.
Quentin Goley
Pd. 2
Re-Jamie Sherman
Sherman has stated that the subconscious of any individual can be, and will be affected by subliminal messages when he/she doesn’t even know it. When watching “The Lion King”, the first thing anyone will notice, is the variety of different accents, and looks in the lion and hyenas. As a child, I could even tell that when a hyena has a Hispanic accent, or an African American accent, they were trying to portray that other races besides white were bad. Even Mufasa, Simba’s father, was an African American who sounded like a strong, brave, Caucasian, can be anylized. He is liked throughout the whole movie and made to be the good guy. Children don’t like the hyena’s! They don’t sound like them, look like them, or act like them, hence they are people we obliviously push to the outside of our circle of life.
Drenth-Pd. 2
I agree with Kalo about her blog on Abercrombie clothing advertisements. I agree with her when she mentions that seeing clothes in the window of the store makes you want to have it. Manikins have the perfect body, so the store can show how good the shirt or jeans looks on someone. Therefore, it makes you want it more if it looks that good. Just seeing that clothing on the manikins, in the window of the store, you want to spend a lot of money on it, even if you maybe can’t afford it. I agree with Kalo about you only want it so you can fit in. Kalo is right in saying that people should be blessed with the money they have, because some people don’t have any and have to live on the streets. Kalo is also right about how the girl in the picture can get any guy just because she is wearing an Abercrombie shirt. The girl is happy because she can get a guy and she fits in now with the sweater, but what about the price. Is she happy that she spent a lot of money just to get one sweater? Just like Kalo, does it matter if we wear a certain name brand? Will people judge us if we don’t? Why spend a lot of money for one sweater, when you can get a sweater like it for much cheaper at like Target? I completely agree with Kalo.
Matt Petersen_2
Concerning Mr. Winterrrrrrringer’s comment I would have to agree with him 100%. Little kids would not understand the messages in the Lion King but they could see it and pick the actions they do like excluding the hyenas, or the lower class people, and seeing it happen in real life. Seeing or hearing something over and over again will implant it in the child’s head and they will become sexist, racist or whatever they will chose to think. If they see that the lions are rich and powerful they will act like lions in children games at the park or wherever it may be. They will pick up on it and then they will see other people in real life like that. If the kid lives in a family where they can get almost anything they want they will act like they can get anything they want. Know what I mean? If they hear friends or family say something racist they will try and fit in at first to look cool. Over time it gets hardwired in their head that they have to be like that. Why does Paris Hilton have fans? Because she is rich and has fun, just like the lions. When the kids see that she is wearing expensive clothes its instantly the hip thing to wear. People will go out and buy ridiculously expensive articles of clothing just to be “hot” as Hilton would say.
Jessi Peterson comment 2
I agree with Matt’s blog post. The styles they wear aren’t even the normal style normal people wear. Is looking like a hippy sweet? I personally don’t think so. Are you hotter for dressing like an idiot? If I wanted to dress like that I don’t need a hundred bucks I can just head to my little cousins playroom and grab a tiny article of clothing that doesn’t fit my chest and looks ridiculous on me and write “Abercrombie” in permanent marker and dang I’ll be looking fly. I also don’t agree with their version of “Hot” I think the definition of hot is a person that is comfortable in their own skin, doesn’t need to be fake, and has confidence in themselves and can pull off looking good in anything from a mini skirt, to baller shorts, to their pajamas at night. In conclusion Abercrombie and Fitch can get their low standard skinny clothes out of the mall because I don’t want my kids to feel like they need to be anything other than themselves when they grow up.
Natalie Turner
Period 2
I agree with Dan that if you wear these types of clothes you will be happy, get the guy, and feel more attractive. At an age where girls really want to find the guy of there dreams like in Cinderella girls look toward the media that push girls to want to be skinny and if you look a certain way or act a certain way you will get the guy of your dreams and be happy. This is not true. You don’t a have to wear these types of clothing or act or be a certain way to be happy. Guys don’t just like girls that wear Abercrombie clothes. They like all type, so girls can stop trying to be so superficial because people that are superficial get annoying after awhile. So just be who you are even if you don’t wear these types of clothes. Being happy can be different for different people so artificial stuff should not determine happiness.
Nicole Zens
Pd 2
I have to agree with Abby Moschell because at such a young age the child has no idea that the story line is based on racist, sexist, and bigoted ideas. When I watched it as a kid I thought of the movie as another Disney movie. The concept of thinking that in depth in a story you have to have seen or experienced what they are suggesting in the movie. A kid of a young age doesn’t know that people a racist towards each other until they know or experience it first hand, and fully understand what the meaning is. We as adults have seen or experiences of sexist, and racism. We see it everyday during school, at the mall, and even at home. We also know what the meaning is to be sexist and racist giving us the idea that the movie is depicting the characters as sexist and racist. Even in the song “ I can’t wait to be king” no kid could ever get that meaning of Simba wanting his dad to be dead so he can be king.
Yoon Pd 2
I agree with Kalo. When you see the clothes on display, it makes you want to waltz right into the store and purchase them. Whether you can afford them or not, people just buy or save up and buy these clothes because of the label; because when you see someone wearing Abercrombie & Fitch’s clothes, you know that that person spent more money than the average teen spends on clothing. I don’t think it necessarily matters if we wear name-brand clothing all the time because honestly, I think it’s ridiculous to blow tons of money on clothing. A couple of name-brand tops and bottoms here and there are fine and it’s always nice to look good but when people spend so their entire paycheck or a large amount of their parent’s income on clothing, it’s just dumb and one would even say selfish in a way. But when you dress in the morning, you always think of what other people will think- how they’ll see you based on the image you portray. If someone comes to school dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, one would assume that a- they woke up late and didn’t have time to throw together a cute outfit, or b- they really just don’t give a shit.
Bruggeman
In response to Haase’s comment.
Children may play games based on these concepts, but are they aware of what these concepts are? I can’t see children following a certain attitude or behavior just because of a game they used to play when they were little. As for the games shaping the children to treat others like they are treated in a game, I think that it would have others view the child as a bully, unless other kids play that game as well. By the time a man or woman is old and wealthy enough to consider purchasing a Ferrari, they may want to buy the car because of reasons other than models. Not everyone may be drawn to the models, because not everyone is looking for that kind of attention. I believe that a person’s morals or views may have an effect on how certain individuals see advertisements. Sure the advertisements may have effects on young peoples minds, but also consider the peer pressure involved. I think that some people may be happy just to get what they can, and block out some advertising strategies.
Garrett Bratland P. 3
RE: Matt Haase
Yes, I do believe that people, who don’t look like the models for Abercrombie, Aeropostale, Hollister, and American Eagle, do end up having a negative self image. Because, they think that if they don’t look like that, think that they cannot wear clothes like they do, be as handsome/pretty as they are, will never get the attention they get, or even get the girls/boys that they get. So, for you to even feel like you can somewhat be like them is to either go on a diet and start working out to be like them, or to buy that store’s clothing to dress like that model, no matter how expensive it may truly be. People who buy and wear clothes like the ones the models model for everyone, that they could and will more happy with themselves, and be a better person, and be more accustomed to fitting into society now that they wear fancy clothes and look a certain way. The way the model is portrayed is that, if you don’t wear this style of clothing or look like they do, never be as successful as they are, you won’t get noticed like they do, and you won’t get the hottest person of the opposite sex like they do. The stores play this as basically as a “guilt trip” kind of ordeal.
Bachman Pd. 3
I agree with Granberg about kids’ fashion. Kids (and teens) assume that when they see clothes that they like, whether it is a visual thing like a pattern, or a subconscious thing like wanting to fit in, they will look just the person they saw the clothes on. They assume that the clothes are going to make them fit into the picture of the perfect group of people. Abercrombie has pictures of the perfect specimens of the human figure, which rarely anyone has, and flaunts them as though you could have this body if you buy they clothes. If people are desperate enough to want to fit in, then they will spend obscene amounts of money just to get the clothes that “fit in.” The reason these clothes are so expensive is because of a little, stitched onto the clothes, A&F. You could easily get something very similar and still have the same look, but it wouldn’t be the same because you didn’t spend enough money on it and it doesn’t have a tiny stitch of letters.
Martin-Pd.3
Yes, I do believe that children’s movies lead children to become bigoted, racist, or sexist. I would have to agree that in childhood children can take from the movies the different ways to play games, and become more aware of one another through the scenes that are presented to them. Not only do the children practice these characteristics and ethics, but they seem to, or can carry these traits further into their lives and in return become the cliché of an opposing force to a Freudian, Marxist, and Feminist. The fact that Nala never became queen could show the children that wow, maybe if she can’t be raised a higher power, maybe I should stay where I am at now and not have any dreams, desires, or hopes for becoming greater than what is shown before me. And on the other side, if Simba can play around with his role, and go back and forth on wanting to be king as a child, to being a free living bachelor, why not just give the role of leader to someone who would have no regrets or hesitation on being leader as Nala would.
Martin-Pd.3
Yes, I do believe that children’s movies lead children to become bigoted, racist, or sexist. I would have to agree that in childhood children can take from the movies the different ways to play games, and become more aware of one another through the scenes that are presented to them. Not only do the children practice these characteristics and ethics, but they seem to, or can carry these traits further into their lives and in return become the cliché of an opposing force to a Freudian, Marxist, and Feminist. The fact that Nala never became queen could show the children that wow, maybe if she can’t be raised a higher power, maybe I should stay where I am at now and not have any dreams, desires, or hopes for becoming greater than what is shown before me. And on the other side, if Simba can play around with his role, and go back and forth on wanting to be king as a child, to being a free living bachelor, why not just give the role of leader to someone who would have no regrets or hesitation on being leader as Nala would.
Randolph 3 I personally have to agree with what Matt Haase said about the Lion King having a subconscious effect on a child’s mind. Think, its one of the first influences outside of their home and it is telling them, maybe not directly, but showing them that the men are always the leaders… the kings and that the women are only there for companionship. I also have to agree that the voices used as the bad characters in the Lion King were purposely meant to be the sounds of a black of a Hispanic in the hyena’s voices. A good percentage of kids who first watched any Walt Disney movie were white and had never heard the accents in a black or in a Hispanic person. The first time they hear either one is when their voices are being used as a hyena or a bad character that is against the good character which of course kids want that good character to win. This does create that subconscious that black people or Hispanics are bad people. It is my personal belief that Walt Disney, even for all the kids movies he made, there is always some sort of sexist, homophobic, or racist comment or subconsciously visual in his movies.
Analyzing the Abercrombie and Fitch photo I would have to agree 100% that the store is advertizing there photos to show that she bought a 163$ sweatshirt but she really bought the guy in the background of the picture. It is a flawless picture that where she is having a great time smiling with a hot guy in the background waiting for her who has a nice face and nice body. What they are doing in these pictures is showing you a scenario where you wish you were that lucky person in the picture but in all reality there is no way that is possible without buying these way overpriced clothes.(sarcasm) The store itself is also that way. You walk in this store that has 20 different strong smells of good cologne and guys half naked on the walls wearing Abercrombie next to hot girls wearing Abercrombie. What else is a person supposed to think when they find that pear of jeans that are displayed in the pleasing picture above them when the price tag is 150$. It is all subconscious and mentally smart advertising and they do a very good job at it.
Danielson Pd.3
I would have to agree with J.B. Winterringer about the themes in The Lion King on how the subliminal messages in the movie more than less don’t make the children become racist, sexist, or a bigot; but it is possible that the messaging in the movie may contribute to making someone behave this way if they were bombarded with this kind of messaging. Secondly how he said that there are external factors that contribute to such behavior such as society and parents. With his comment on the ad I would also agree with his opinion on how people would rather spend excess amounts of money on something when they could get something that is completely identical and that would serve the same purpose, just the fact that the name “Abercrombie” is on everything that they make is just a little excessive and people how buy the produce are just helping them advertize more.
Bryce Christopherson, Period 3
Mr. Garrett Bratland made several excellent points in his analysis of the topic about subliminal advertising. In particular, when he spoke of the way that people are willing to go so far as to diet or buy a particularly expensive item of clothing simply to adhere to the so-called status quo of acceptable social images I found myself nodding my head in agreement and inwardly wincing at the absurdity of it all. As he said so aptly at the end of his post, the companies are doing nothing more then a simple “guilt trip” to make us feel obligated to buy their clothing. Finally, when he said “they could and will [be] more happy with themselves, and be a better person, and be more accustomed to fitting into society now that they wear fancy clothes and look a certain way” I was sold on his idea. I would pose that, if this is as he says and we are taught that the clothes make the man, are we anything more then metaphorical fabric, waiting to be sewn into the whatever shape the designers tell us will make us more attractive?
Sjoberg Pd. 3
I strongly agree with Tayler about the Abercrombie advertisement blog we did in class. I thought he had made a lot of great points and really understood what the ad and picture was portraying. He mentioned how family/class played a huge part when people buy Abercrombie. How only certain people can afford the clothing therefore those people are the higher class in society. Tayler also talked about power, he talked about when buying a sweater you become better or more likable. So is it a choice to become likable? Who decides who is good enough to be liked? By wearing Abercrombie I don’t think you should become more liked than someone that wears clothes from Target. People who don’t wear brand name clothes are looked down upon; this happens everyday in the hallways of a high school. I agree with Tayler when he talked about the id and superego and how the id takes over when buying Abercrombie. Your id tells you to go ahead and waste your money on one shirt when your superego tells you to put it down and walk out of the store.
Weatherford pd. 3
I agree with Kalo. The ads in Abercrombie just make you want to go in there and blow all of your money on their clothes because they are cute on display. They run their sizes to small yes but some people have the shape for it. When seeing it on display I agree that it makes you just say “I wish I had that.” I agree when Kalo stated that the girl in the ad seems like she can have any guy she wants just because she is wearing Abercrombie& Fitch. I think that Kalo was right we do think about what were going to wear in the mornings or if we go out at night and change so we can look “sexy” and be in the “popular” crowd. What if we all just stopped going there and buying their clothes? What would be so wrong with that? How is Target or Wal-Mart not popular enough for the “popular” crowds choice of clothing. Some people aren’t blessed to have the money to buy $80 jeans over and over again. They have to save their money to buy a shirt. They are over priced and bring your self esteem down.
Kayla Sorensen period 3
I agree with what Mariah said about the kids picking up subliminal messages form the movie the lion king and how they don’t pick up all the symbolism of one who does study this flim in dept. I also agree that they do pick up some of it. They have to. Children are taught at the young age they are that girls are to stay in the kitchen while men can do whatever they like because they seem to have more power over the women. Men do dominate over women. And it shows in the movie so the kids have to pick up somewhat that men rule over women.
I also agree with Mariah that the store prices are absolutely ridiculous. They make you feel like you have to be a size zero and have to wear their clothes in order to be hot and get guys. Mariah also said that the store gives you an off a club type atmosphere. They lure people in by making it feel like a party and if you wear their clothing you will be invited and go to more parties. I also do think that if you wear their clothes it will look like you have a ton of money which WILL make you more popular, in my opinion.
Melissa Johnston pd.3
Re-Matthew Haas
WOW I completely agree with everything matt says. Especially from a girls perspective, Abercrombie DOES attack girls and it does brain wash them. I am eternally grateful this hasn’t happened to me in the line of clothing. But I do agree with how he talks about the hot girl in the Ferrari. It’s amazing how the mind works, how it’s so gullible at times to even think silly things like that. Haha. I found it interesting about his statement on the “men printed on the bag” well done Matt. I’ve never thought of that before. When you walk in that place there are a bunch of pictures of naked models…. What does this say to their teenagers? Buy this—get this. We just don’t see it at the time, we see the “cute” clothing.
Koens
Pd. 3
I agree with Mariah. She says kids are taught what girls do and what boys do. Mariah says girls play with dolls while boys play with cars. This is so true. The Lion King shows these through Nala and Simba. Children see that boys and girls don’t do the same thing. This rubs off on children and they believe it’s what they are supposed to do. I also agree with Mariah comment on how if you wear certain expensive clothes it makes you popular or shows you have money. This is true also, the store lures you in with their feel of popularity. They only want people to buy their clothes at high prices and to do this they make it seem like they are the “cool place” to shop. All the other teenagers are doing it why aren’t you? They want you to spend ridiculous amounts of money for clothes.
McNamara- Pd:3
RE: Kalo
I agree with what Jenny said about people seeing it in the window and automatically wanting to purchase it. Also about what she said about the girl that wears Abercrombie and Fitch automatically will get a hot guy like the one portrayed in the advertisement. I also really agree with her questions and I have the same questions also: Do we really need to buy name brand clothing? Does it matter if we shop at Target or Abercrombie and Fitch? They both have the same type of clothing one is a lower price, the other I believe is lower quality. I believe also that the advertisement from this store is trying to tell its viewers that if you shop Abercrombie and Fitch you will automatically be portrayed as being “cool”. I also was wondering what society’s definition of being “cool” really is? Abercrombie and Fitch does an excellent job of luring us into their stores so everyone can be “cool.”
Joey Boy Pd.3
Re: Aaron E.
I agree with what Aaron says in his document about the Abercrombie & Fitch ad. I also believe that many kids grow up and are very gullible to things said or shown to them. Any message to a kid is a powerful message. I like when Aaron used a past experience to lead his point in what his message was. I showed that he had the right reference points to his message of subliminal messages. His blog stood out to me because he criticized society for trying to be so normal.
Aaron mentions the difference between Wal-Mart and the “higher class” stores. These messages he creates are all great and are chosen wisely. His message is easy to understand and accept. Good job Aaron E.
Herrman pd.3
RE:Hasse
I agree with Matt. We feel that if we are not a size 0 and look like the models for Abercrombie, Hollister and others that we may not have the social life we want. So by going and spending that high price for the clothes it gives us a somewhat better feeling about ourselves. Seeing the petite sizes and models we get a negative self image if we can’t look or fit those criteria. It is portrayed that if you wear this clothing and smell like the store you will have more friends and be higher on the social ladder. And if you don’t wear there clothes you wont be as pretty or hot as them. It’s mainly putting a guilt trip on you. Sucker you into buying there clothes for outrageous prices. I don’t think it is at all only positive for young teenagers. Makes them feel less positive about yourself.
Drew Rosse
Pd.3
RE: Matthew Petersen
I entirely agree with Matt’s statement about Ambercrombie & Fitch, that if you see the girls who go there and buy the clothing, you think to yourself that they must have loads of cash. I mean there kind of gets to a point where you wonder why do they buy that clothing? Just to look popular and attractive? That’s rubbish.
Matt is completely right about that it is made to look like the guy could possibly be with the girl because of her clothing, and the fact that she is in the front of the ad, and more focused in, that when she looks at you its kind of a normal, vague look, but to most people it more than likely comes across subliminally as, “Don’t you wish you were like me,” just because of her facial expression. Also I agree with Matt how he said “If they were to not dress like this and not be ‘hot’ like the model then they can’t get the guy they don’t have power anymore. Because that is very true and a feminist would be very much against that ideal, like he said.
Buy our gear, become more like our models.
Buy our gear, become attractive to people like our models.
Buy our gear, join the status of attractive people like our models. Join an elite, wealthy class.
Dan Francis
pd.6
I totally agree with Adam Bruggeman’s view on how he states that kids don’t understand the concepts. I don’t agree with Adam though because I believe that kids will subliminally see none whites as a threat if they see the movie so many times and have not been exposed to them in a positive setting. It’s also up to the parents to understand what is going on and to tell there kids that everyone is equal and deserves the same respect. Aaron has great reasoning for why not to go in and buy clothing from stores like Abercrombie. I hate going into those kind of stores that I can not breath because of the cologne and cant hear myself think because of the music. I do not see how people can stand going into stores like that and spending so much money on something that you could find at a department store for half to 75% off.
Spencer Hallstrom Pd.6
Re. Matt Haase
I agree with what Matt Haase has to say on this issue of the roles of the genders and how those roles play a big part in our society (such as Abercrombie and Fitch Clothing). The games you may play as children (such as house, doctor, and those types of games) they dictate in some way shape or form the way that each gender plays in the society. The man is in charge and the girl has to sit around clean the house and has no power in the household. An example of this is in the lion king where strength and power and gender dictate who is king. Well Nala for example takes down simba constantly and she is not in power and the way society is power is what makes us all who we are, so then shouldn’t Nala be the “king” since she has more power than simba. But according to society that is not allowed to happen because of the gender roles that are placed on all males and females that are in the world. The women of the world no matter their views or anything have no control of their social status they all will still be treated the same no matter what.
Mariah Nachreiner pd. 2
Re: Marso
I completely agree with Marso. Not only does Abercrombie advertise like this, so does Hollister and American Eagle. All three of these are portraying people to be hot and have six packs and be as thin as a board. This is not even realistic for most people. In fact I almost feel like when men walk into Abercrombie and see that man with the six pack it could be either discouraging or encouraging to go and buy the clothes. It may be discouraging by giving the message as a guy must look like that guy in the picture and only if you look like that look that you can shop there. Or it can be encouraging by saying that if you shop here you will be as hot and sexy as the guy in the picture. For girls shopping at these kinds of stores are most the time discouraging. The clothes are undersized and make girls feel bigger than they are. Why would anyone buy something from a store that is killing on teens self esteem so badly? On the other hand, girls might think if I wear these clothes I am going to get a hot boyfriend like the guy in the picture with the six pack.
Sperlich_6
I agree completely with Jessi Peterson. Abercrombie and Fitch make sizes unjust to other clothing stores. But I also disagree with her. Friends in school do look at what you wear, even if it is only subconsciously. People judge you no matter what you wear. And people want to feel as if they fit in. Abercrombie wants you to “fit in” also. Not only in their clothes but with the social circle they are creating. They make those sizes for a reason. They want you to feel like you are one of the models on the runways. Abercrombie shouldn’t make you believe you are too big or unworthy of their clothes. The people behind Abercrombie and Fitch give you the craving for attention from others. Jenny Kalo also has some good points. Why should you pay an abundance of money and get very little to no clothing? Personally, I like to feel good in my clothes; I wouldn’t want something that is distasteful or too tight to reflect who I am.
Crowe, pd 6.
I somewhat agree and disagree with Kelli Mork’s response. She believes The Lion King has no affect on children viewers whatsoever. I think kids are able to pick up on certain messages throughout the movies depending on the environment they were brought up in. If a very sheltered child is watching the movie, I don’t think they’d be able to recognize that Shenzi is a black woman, and I don’t think they would assume Scar is gay. Of course they could notice that their voices sound “funny.” As for labeling the voice as “black”, “Hispanic”, or “gay”, I don’t think they would be capable of doing so. If a child was brought up in a more exposed environment (i.e. – ghetto), they could possibly recognize the voices are black or Hispanic. Children are like sponges – they will absorb and mock their surroundings and what they see. But there’s a certain extent as to what they would pick up on depending on their level of innocence.
Hansen, 6
I agree with Ellyssa’s post. If you want people to say you look good and smell good and have lots of money Abercrombie and Fitch would be the perfect store for you. They sell with there appeal to the opposite sex and tell you if you shop there you’ll be perfect. She say’s people buy the clothes because they smell good, and in reality the smell will wash away and it will be all up to you. You can spend the money you spent on one outfit there for lots of other stuff! You could save up and buy something nice and useful such as a nicer car. You could save money and buy the same looks for a cheaper price at a different brand. And use your money to pay for a gas. The people that shop at Abercrombie like to think that they are top shiz the top of the social ladder and have lots of money. And think if you don’t own the clothes it’s only because you can’t afford it. The People who work there are typically very very judgmental! If you look like you have a million bucks they will come and talk to you and try to sell you there stuff! And if you don’t look like you can afford there stuff they stay at there counter and talk behind your back. The people in the ad’s look happy not because the clothes they wear but the confidence they feel have just bought.
Shabino pd.6
I agree with Winterringers statement Concerning the Lion King and its sending messages to children. I do not think that children could become sexist or racist by watching the Lion King alone. There would have to be some outside influence particularly on the parents or their close friend’s behavior. Also concerning the ads from Abercrombie they most definitely have a strong affect on people. Why would people spend 150$ on a pair of worn out jeans with holes in them when you could by a pair of jeans from Old Navy or Wall Mart for 20$ in perfectly good condition without holes and will most likely stay together longer. People do feel cooler or think they feel cooler in a shirt that says Abercrombie on the front of it even though they spend 40$ on a T-shirt that’s too small, to tight, or just plain uncomfortable. Also putting a picture of a good looking guy or girl will ultimately encourage people to buy their clothing.
Larsen pd.6
I personally agree with Matt in the fact that many kids play games or on the playground based partially on what they see in TV, movies, and other forms of publicity. This could the reason for the boys to be more “dominate” when playing or interacting. Also this could shape kids personalities to be a certain way by seeing how characters or actors act in films. They want to be just like them so they act like them. This makes boys like rough sometimes violent games, and could make girls like Barbies, makeup, and dress up games. Subliminal messages are sent through TV, movies, and advertisement to make people do or think something, but I don’t believe that through the Lion King that kids are sent these messages to be either racist or sexist. I do think that there is a subliminal message in everything we do both intentionally and unintentionally.
I completely agree with Jenny Kalo in pd. 2, in her opinion on why people bother spending that much money on clothing, and why people want to spend that much money on their clothing. Some people have money to spend on anything they want, and so when you see people in Abercrombie, you say, as Jenny said, “I wish I could have that”. They wish they could be able to spend money on clothing the way the better-off people can. I never looked at it that way, nor understood why people would bother to spend that much money on one shirt, after I had to start buying my own cloths. It makes sense now, it’s their way of tapping into the life of the rich; their way of connecting to the “popular”. It’s a sad day in society when buying the same clothes as somebody else makes a girl cool or not.
Jessica Johnson pd.6
Bri Matthies .6
I agree with Kelli in the fact that little kids don’t automatically put together racist or sexist thoughts but I do think that later on in life they will subconsciously remember them and it will affect them in a certain way. With the sexist part I know as a kid I would play power rangers and be torn because I wanted to be the pink girly one but I wanted to be in charge also and the power ranger in charge was always a boy.
With the Abercrombie ads everyone was pretty much saying the same thing and that’s that the industry thrives on peoples insecurities and that’s how they make there living. I thought that Mariah N. had a great point that the ads made you feel like you need those clothes but you honestly see barely any of the clothing at all. Phil also had a great analogy with the models being lions and that no matter how hard you try to fit in, in different ways you never will because your not a Lion (wearing Abercrombie) and the only way to fit in is to wear that clothing.
Seth Olson pd.6
Re: Sam Rall
I agree with Sam’s comments about The Lion King. I never thought of the part about the movie helping the child to overcome a superego led lifestyle. I also agree with his thoughts about this because it really could change your mind about some things because as a child you may pick a character to look up throughout the whole movie. Next, I also agree with the Abercrombie and Fitch ad analysis. They three girls are purposely looking off camera to entice the viewer of the picture. It makes it more interesting. The ads are only put out to make us feel like we could be them. I think Sam and I share many of the same ideas on both of these topics. Another would be the part about how the guy in the background is there to indicate she got him because of her sweater. The sweater is the only reason a ‘hot’ guy would look and a ‘cute’ girl. The sweater she is wearing is so perfect that it changes the world around you if you wear it.
I totally agree with Jessi Peterson and her comments on shopping at certain stores. When I was younger, I was in LOVE with “The Buckle.” Everything I bought and wanted was found in that one store in the mall! I loved it!! But I realize now even in some of my early high school days, that dressing to impress is not the only thing that matters and to be honest… no one really cares. I mean yea, dressing nice makes you look well “nicer” sometimes but wearing something from another store that might look just like Buckle but might be five bucks! And also, who likes spending that much on clothes… is it worth it? Do you feel better about your self if you spend $150 dollars on a pair of jeans? Because if you feel that bad about yourself… I don’t think that Buckle is going to help you… I would suggest going to a shrink or talking to a close family member or friend! :]
Hanson, 6
I disagree AND agree with Bruggeman’s blog comment. He says that young children could not become racist or sexist by watching the movie. I disagree with that because even though they may not be old enough to fully understand, I still think that subconsciously they know that they are told not to like certain characters for a reason. They don’t just hate Scar just because! I agree with Adam when he says that the add can influence people into thinking that they are not ‘good enough’ and that if they buy clothes from Abercrombie & Fitch that all of a sudden they will be! However, I disagree with him when he says that the ad may not have a long lasting effect on people. I think that it could effect you for a long period of time but maybe just indirectly. You may feel weak or unconfident way from the ad initially, but after a while when the ad is out of your mind and you still feel bad about yourself, could it be still be because of the initial ad? I think it could be.
Niklason
Period 6
Re: Tayler Frisch
I agree with Tayler’s views on how Abercrombie & Fitch has built up a brand name. I also agree that the image is if you buy our clothes than you will be able to get a good looking girl or a good looking guy. Tayler’s opinion on the “classes” is exactly what I was think about also. If you wear their clothes and then you feel like you are better than people who don’t wear their clothes. In a Marxist lens only the higher class can afford Abercrombie & Fitch’s clothes and the lower class wants to be like the higher class and they try and do that by buying the same expensive clothes they wear and feel like the models in the ads. I also agree with his Freudian lens views because people know that they shouldn’t spend that much money but they do because their id wants to look like others and feel like they look better.
Selken
Period 6
I agree with Michelle that most of the people buying and wearing Abercrombie and Fitch are just trying to fit in. They only buy the clothes so they won’t appear as different or challenging anything. I also agree that they are trying to show you that if you wear their clothes, you will also have a great time and have a boyfriend like the pretty girl in the ad. I also agree with Taylor Elster. She said that they are trying to rip you off, and that their sizes would only fit a child. I think that that is definitely true. Their sizes are only meant for people that are quite thin. Their ads also only show people that could only be as old as 16. Making it even more unrealistic that anyone slightly older or not as thin could fit into Abercrombie and Fitch’s clothes. They are very unrealistic and really like to take a hit to people’s self-esteem.
Sickler Pd. 1
Response to Miss Sherman.
I agree that our subconscious is affected every time we watch/do/see something. I don’t personally remember watching the Lion King, because I honestly don’t think I’d seen the whole movie before we watched it in class. However, I do believe my subconscious was affected the first time I watched this, but was affected in a completely different way as a 17 year old. I believe, as we get older, that we start to pick up on the little things in a movie or an exhibit. Little things like the possibility of Scar being gay or the Hispanic voices = bad. It also helped to have Mr. C point out these facts. Some of which I probably wouldn’t have even caught onto right away.
Anyways, I believe we are affected, but in response to students that think we, as kids weren’t affected, I think that it may be because as kids we didn’t point blank point these things out. We probably didn’t know how to communicate these things in words, but may have subconsciously think about these different things brought up. And The Lion King may have just been another movie to others.
I agree with Dylan Niklason. Abercrombie can charge as much as they want for their clothes because they know that the kids who can afford it will influence those who can't afford it as easily. They're setting a standard for kids, making them feel less included if they don't buy their clothes. Abercrombie chose the models they're using in these photos because they're not drop dead gorgeous which makes them more like the consumer, but they're attractive enough that they'd draw peoples' attention. Shopping at this store can only lead to depression. Either the person doesn't have the product they wanted, or they're closer to being broke.
Bly Pd. 6
Phillips. Period 7
I agree with Matt on the Lion King. It gives women a bad representation of how we are to act and that we don’t have power. I’m not trying to bash men; some of my friends are really great guys, why do they think that we need protection? This is the 21st century and men should be more acceptable of the things we go through for men. Although I give much of my sympathy to some men who loose a family member as Simba did. Still woman are greatly repressed and “obliged” to do what a man asks us to on a whim. So indeed this may be the 21st century and we, as women, might have more political freedom but we have no more power then Nala did in movie. I only hope that in the next generation we don’t teach our future daughters to just be compliant but to stand up for themselves.
Moss-7
I agree with Mork on the Lion King statement. I truly believe the kids weren't focusing on the color of the hyenas or if Scar is gay or not. Do children even know the meaning of “gay” at three and four years old? Kids like the Lion King because of the cartoons and the animals. I don’t think the content of the movie would affect the way they look at minorities either. Not everyone sounds the same! I have heard someone say that I sound white, and I am a minority. So what does that mean if a child has seen the Lion King and looks at me? Am I poor because I’m black or rich because I sound white?
I also agree with Haas about Abercrombie. The pictures we see sometimes do make us want to be just like them! They look happy and have no worries. I only with life was that way, but it isn’t. The ads fill you up with “I wish” or “what ifs” but in reality, nothing is perfect like they perceive in those posters. They have a huge affect on the way one thinks.
Mitzel Pd. 6
I agree and like Jessi Peterson's blog posting. I like that she analyzed the ads with the lens we have studied all year. Looking through all the lenses shows what the ads persuade and how they affect different groups of people.
For example, Feminist/women in general, will notice the hot guys and the petite size of all the girl models. Many girls are very insecure about their weight/body. Ads do not help with women's self-esteem. I love how Jessi added her own personal experiences. She is correct when she talks about the value of the dollar. When we were younger it was all about fitting in and being just like the models. Our parents paid for everything so it just normal to want the best/most expensive. Now that we are older, we still like to fit in but we also understand individuality and money. You do not have to have the hundred dollar sweater to be popular. Your attitude and personality will affect your much more in life.
Form the Marxist lens, Abercrombie & Fitch represents money and power. If you wear their product, you will look richer and more sophisticated. Many people like to cover up parts of their lives. If you are not rich/live in a beat up house, you will try to cover that life up and live a rich life at school. People want what they cannot always have, we will try to be the person everyone likes and have the great life we all imagine.
From the Freudian lens, people who fall into the expensive prices are following their id and only hurting their wallets. If you resist the expensive shopping/ads, you would be following your superego. What way will you go?
Menefee Pd. 7
I agree with Bruggeman and his statement that “I don’t think that watching this video even multiple times can make the child become racist, sexist, or bigoted”. I agree because I also do not believe that watching some movie, especially at elementary and younger ages, will make you racist or sexist. I mean I guess it could affect someone very slightly but I do not believe that it could make a child grow up and become completely racist because of it. Though I can see the side of Bryce Christopherson as well when he says that he believes that, “The Lion King does, undoubtedly, predispose young children towards becoming racist and xenophobic by portraying the hyenas with ethnic voices.” Even though I don’t believe that affects you that much it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t. Though I think it is very interesting to think about the fact that could some murderers and people in the KKK become the way they are because of children’s movies and the way it affected them subconsciously?
Skich Pd 7
I have to agree with Nicole Zens and Abby Moschell. Children at such a young age do not have the capability to analyze a story the way we do. To them, it is just a story, nothing more to it. Nicole Zens says, ” Even in the song ‘ I can’t wait to be king’ no kid could ever get that meaning of Simba wanting his dad to be dead so he can be king.”. I agree with that statement one hundred percent. I myself did not even think about it that way, and I am sure that most other people would not see it that way. To me, someone had way to much time on his hands and decided to make that statement. It is too bad some people are too stuck on trying to get all the details out of a sentence, when they could be doing something more constructive with their lives, such as helping others make or build an object.
Moss--No, kids don't know what "gay" means when they are tiny; however, they do know what the film portrays as "good" and "bad." They see the qualities Scar has and associate all those traits with being "bad." All their mental associations are forming at this point. The Lion King just might be shaping their ethical/moral systems for life...
I am going to say that I think that Josh Jasper is right because when you go shopping you are always thinking about what other people are going say when you wear something. When you are at another store after even looking at Abercrombie and Fitch it is still going to affect what you are thinking when you are trying on clothes. You are going to think “Do I look as good as she does in these jeans?” when really the chances are that you don’t look that good. When you go to the mall with you friends there are always people that are “people watching,” and they are looking to see if the people at the mall look like the models that are at Abercrombie. The adds that Abercrombie puts out are degrading to the children that don’t look like that and never will. They make them feel bad about themselves and makes them have a low self esteem and could cause other problems mentally also.
Steffen 7
I somewhat agree with Drew’s statement about Matt’s comments, if you see a girl that buys a lot of clothing at Abercrombie and Fitch, you would most likely think to yourself not only does she have a lot of cash but just because she shops there she could be really stuck up about it and prance around everyone showing off how rich she is.
When the girl is in front of the ad and the camera focuses in on her, makes the guy look unimportant, like that girl wears the ‘pants’ in the area. The guy can surely buy clothes from Abercrombie and Fitch but the photographer would have him take off his shirt so that he could show his nice abs that everyone wants but can’t have unless you wear Abercrombie and Fitch clothes. By having models that only wear size 0 jeans and extra small shirts sets of a message saying, “I’m not real, please buy clothes from here so you can become not real as well.” But who wants to be unreal?
Hanson
Prd 7
I totally agree with Taylor Garner’s response to advertising in the Abercrombie and Fitch advertising. She states that they draw you in and make you want the latest fashions that cost the most. She also states that the things that cost the most are usually the ugliest. They have no respect for people’s personal appearance and want everyone to look like them. She also states “Other people spend money as if they can easily replace what was spent” this is true because no matter how much they spend they will keep on coming back for more and always have money to spend on it. These people are classified under “preppy” or “preps” and usually do have more money to spend. She also states how people like “her” work hard for their money and would rather spend it on something they can get 3 or 4 shirts out of instead of 1 over priced shirt. Overall she makes wonderful points and I totally agree with all points of her argument.
Engebretson, 7
I agree with Jessi Peterson’s comments. If people only buy Abercrombie & Fitch’s clothes to make themselves feel better about them, they are only going to make themselves feel worse as soon as they see the price tag. Once they realize they just completely wasted their money on clothes that don’t fit, are slutty, and make people look at you in a good/bad way, they will in return feel like crap. Part of being an individual means being you and having people like you for the way you are. If buying the same, expensive, slutty clothes as everyone makes you feel like an individual you are a very desperate person. The definition of a beautiful person is someone who is confident with the body they are given both on the inside and outside, and not letting someone like/dislike you because of it. God gave you the body you have with a reason behind it. Don’t try and ruin it by wearing clothes that are just going to cause people to judge you either like you or hate you. Personally, as someone who is looking to have children someday, the last thing I want to think about is having my child/children wearing clothes that just make a person look at them on the outside and not what is on the inside. Do what you do and be yourself.
Neuberger-- Pd. 7
Re: Thelen
Ms. Thelen is completely correct. I love how she refers to Abercrombie and Fitch’s buyers as nothing but children. It is so true. The company manipulates you so much you do turn into the child. There is absolutely no way anyone over 17, that hasn’t watched what they eat or been to the gym to keep in shape, could fit the “it” look Abercrombie and Fitch tries to sell. I do believe companies try to train kids at a young age too. I know for a fact when I was in middle school I wanted to be just like all those models. I shopped at those stores, and I can tell you I still don’t look like those models do today. Granted they did look like they were 14/15 years old. It is absurd that we do support such a cause, but so much of this is done subconsciously. You can’t tell me you don’t go to mall to buy cute clothes. No one goes to buy clothes that make them feel lesser of themselves. Many people that do have the money are willing to spend it on a $97 sweater. It’s absolutely ridiculous when you take the time to think of it.
Bakken 7
I disagree and agree bruggeman’s comment. He had mentioned that little kids can not pick up/understand the Lion Kings under lying messages. I believe that that is not true and that young children will subconsciously pick up that females and people of ethic backgrounds are not as good as white males. It is also showing kids that females need to stuck in traditional roles of not being in a position of power and that they are not as good as males. On his Abercrombie and Fitch comments he says that the company makes people feel like they are not good enough to own the companies clothes and I totally agree…they portray everyone as ‘I’m popular, rich, to cool for anybody’ kind of people but if you buy these clothes you can be just like me. And I also agree with him when he says that the ad doesn’t have a long lasting effect on you because I don’t think that it does. I think it us makes you feel bad about your self at first but you forget about it when you are not looking at the ad anymore.
Olson Pd. 7
2 RE: Peterson
I agree with what Jessi is saying when she talks about feeling secure with expensive clothes on. When I was younger I would see a commercial for something that I knew I couldn’t afford. And the simple fact that it was out of my price range would make me start to feel like my life was over if I didn’t get it. Money is power in our social system and a flashy display of money, say having something expensive to show off would give the impression that the system is good to you, that you have power. Abercrombie is not alone when they advertise like this. Almost every store in the mall uses ads with super attractive models and specific poses and settings that are designed to make the item look necessary. Maybe you aren’t a fan of Abercrombie, but take a look at some ads of your favorite brand. I bet they use some of the same tactics to encourage you to spend money on their product.
Nick Karber
I agree with Wilson on the subject of Abercrombie and Fitch. Clothing that I wear tends to come from Old Navy, Aeropostale, Wal Mart or Kohl’s. I also wear Hand-Me-Downs. I work for my clothing so I don’t feel the necessity to wear really expensive clothing that I can not afford. Also I have explored the inside of Abercrombie and Fitch and I do feel that their clothing is made of really thin material. I work at a race track and a bowling alley so I cant afford to place down eighty dollars on a shirt that will tear as soon as I get down to dirty works. I do find Wilson’s idea of A & F being nothing but a monopoly game. It is sadly true, as these people do not care about us. They care about our money and exploiting our minds with six packs, breasts, cologne and perfume. I can take my eighty dollars to Kohl’s and get five shirts, or I could take that money and put it towards a shirt at A & F. Ill go with Kohl’s.
Cressman 7.
I agree with Bakken’s comments about the Abercrombie and Fitch models. The people in these ads are attractive as a rule, and they have on expensive clothes. This makes them desirable to anyone who’s anyone. Not only are they attractive and well-dressed, but they’re having fun and being happy. Wouldn’t you be happy if you just spent $183 on a sweater which is going to get you a equally attractive and well-dressed member of the opposite sex? Derek said, “‘look at me I have enough money to buy these clothes, I’m hot/popular/rich’”. We don’t know it at the time, but by flaunting our flashy new Abercrombie clothes, this is exactly what we’re saying to the world. A peacock flashes it’s feathers, an Aberzombie flashes it’s hip, trendy clothing, and the money that bought it. If you want to be perceived by others as upper-class, sexy, rich, and popular, then you should go out and spend your paycheck on a sweater and some pants to match.
Kendra Hatle
I agree completely with Jessi Peterson, but have some other comments of my own. What she said is right you can get clothes anywhere and you look just as good if not better sometimes when you get things at a cheaper price. I know a lot of people that buy super expensive things and then when they wear them they get no comment on, you look nice or that’s so cute I wish I had something like that. So when you’re buying things like that isn’t that what you’re looking for someone to say something about the shirt you just bought for 60 dollars. So is really spending all that money on clothes necessary? No, you can look just fine in jeans and t-shirts from Wal-Mart. If your family has the money then it doesn’t matter you can spend it and no one cares. You may or may not even feel better about yourself by wearing it because you always have and you’re used to it but they also have to realize that by wearing it they make an impression on other people and can even make others feel less of themselves because they weren’t blessed with the money to wear those clothes.
Kramer pd.7
I agree with Nicole on the Lion King on how they show that the Lions are viewed as the upper class/ rulers and how the hyenas are view as the lower class/poor. Subconciously and consciously we think that money and power will bring us the happiness and great life we all want to achieve. I like how she made the point that the female lions are shown as ones who prepare food, do household chores, and are just alive to reproduce. In real life it is still true but not nearly as prevelant as in the past, subconsciously all men still feel above women without even knowing it. She also pointed out how racism is portrayed in the movie with all the hyenas as either Mexican, black, or crazy. Subconciously I believe that kids also come away with recognizing that voice or portrayal they saw in the Lion King and relating it in they’re lives.
Henning pd. 7
I agree with Kelli because I don’t think that kids can actually differentiate between Hispanic, black, and gay people at such a young age. Kids just watch the movie because there are a bunch of catchy tunes sung by animals. They don’t understand that Scar is supposedly gay when he curtseys or points his pinky out. When the hyenas talk they don’t think about how the voices are played by a Hispanic, black, or “crazy” person. They just think that hyenas are bad animals, they don’t think about the actual people that play the parts.
I agree with Jessi Peterson because all of the sizes are really small. The small sizes make people feel like they have to go work out and have this amazing body just to wear Abercrombie and Fitch’s clothes. People want to be pretty and care free just like the models in the ads and on the bags. If girls wear the clothes then they get the hot half naked guys. When guys wear these clothes then they get hot ripped bodies and really hot girls.
Peacock analogy! Great, Cressman.
Right, Nicki: who wants to be phony? Nobody, but so many of us are just that. We try to identify ourselves by association with certain looks, clothes, friends, cars, homes, lifestyles. It's fascinating when broken down & analyzed.
Tayler Elster Pd.3
I agree with Jamie Sherman. Our subconscious is often tricked into believing one thing or another when we watch movies or plays. And we don’t realize sometimes what is happening to us or why we have an unexplained dislike toward a certain race or person.
But I agree with Mariah Greenhoff on the ads one because it’s definitely clear that the more expensive your clothes are the higher up your status in life/school goes. And Abercrombie definitely tries to capitalize on that as much as they can because they know that everyone wants to fit into the “in” crowd. That means that you are liked and accepted over the other people who don’t wear or can’t afford name brand clothing. If people will only accept others for the amount of money they have, then I’m glad to say I’m not a part of that because that would be an all time low and people don’t need, or deserve, to be treated that way.
Thelen period 3
RE: Ellis 2
I agree with Ellis in period 2 and her logical thinking. No matter where you stand on the social ladder wouldn’t it make more sense to own a pair of $40 jeans (maybe a couple pairs) and be able to the essentials? They like the overpriced jeans with the symbolic “gems” on the butt flashing “I have money and am above you”. If you were a smart, person on top you of the social ladder would realizes that flashing your money is a good way to show those who want to climb the ladder of money and status, who to steal it from, because it is shinning from your butt onto their face. I also would like to ponder on what Elis said about the model smiling. Does smiling come from happiness that only comes from money? Some people would have the feeling of “upchuck” if they spent over $80 on a sweater, others might have pure joy knowing they have the liberty to do so. It’s the power that people are looking for.
Erks 7
I agree with Mork in that they are too young to understand any of the hidden meanings. Me as well as several other people hadn’t even thought about any of those things or analyzing the movie to be anything other than an innocent children’s movie and nothing more. Kids don’t look into the details they only care about visual things. If the hyena’s had been physically Mexican or African American or “crazy” that would be different, but kids don’t pick up on hidden symbols and meanings to make them racist or sexist just because of a movie.
Nick Vigants
P. 3
I agree with Mathew Haase completely. As a child subconsciously we pick up a lot. Even if we do not use this/apply these subliminal messages immediately. Mathew also gave a great example “Many children may play pretend games based on this movie giving young girls the lesser roles in turn shaping young boys to believe they are more dominant”. This absolutely makes sense, this would allow kids to believe there rolls in society and conform to what society wants there rolls to be at an early age. Also I liked how he related how Ferrari have hot girls on their advertisements and how Abercrombie has half naked women on their advertisements. These advertisements are obviously trying to sell to certain people, Abercrombie is trying to sell mainly to women by telling the subconsciously if you buy my product I will make u hot and all the guy will come running, and the Ferrari makes sense that they would put hot girls on their cars because this would make guys think they will get these types of women if they by their products. It also makes sense why they would target men for this ad because men are generally more into cars then women.
I understand what Adam Bruggemen is saying about how he thinks that movies with a deeper meaning won’t get through to kids at a young age. But, I do believe that racism could and would get through kids subconsciously. When a white kid hears a theme with all the good animals with white voices and all the evil animals with Hispanic, black, or even feminine voices, they might not realize right now, but eventually, they could connect the dots in their had that if the voice isn’t white they are bad. That being said, I do agree with his comment on the Abercrombie advertisement that they do have a good way of making you think that buying their clothes will make your life better. And also, I agree that it only has a short lasting effect and not a long term effect. I also agree with Stepheni Herrman’s thoughts on the Abercrombie clothing advertisement. I mean, what happens if you aren’t rich. Seriously, does our time now think that money is sexy? Don’t get me wrong, I would happily marry rich if I had a chance, but honestly, what are the chances of me being a trophy husband? 50/50 at best. Anyway, society today has too high of standards for young teens, mostly women. Because, they are expected to look a curtain way and dress a curtain way, that is too much stress on them and could even negatively effect their confidence on how they look. So, thank you Steph and Adam for expressing both of our thoughts on these topics. I encourage everyone to read their statements on the subjects.
Maassen
I agree with Matt that children are being molded into being sexist in the fact that they give the girls the roll of Nala, and boys the roll of Simba. Telling them that the girls can’t be leaders or rulers, only boys can. They don’t only use these views in playing but they carry this idea through their lives and that very well could be why we have yet to have a female president.
I also agree on what he said about Abercrombie, how they put all these “hot” guys all over the place to get the girls to think if I wear this all these hot guys will want me. The guys than see these models and think, if all these girls think the guys on these posters are hot than if I wear this brand I will become “hot” and like by all the girls and be a stud.
Alec Hauck pd.6
I highly agree with what JB Winterringer had to say about the Lion King and Abercrombie and Fitch. You wouldn’t think a young child watching a Disney movie like the Lion King would be effected subconsciously, becoming more racist, sexist, and power seeking. The fact of the matter is that after analizing this movie, it can appear to some degree that children can be swayed to be more like this. I also agree that advertising for clothing lines like Abercrombie and Fitch has a huge affect on a teenager’s thoughts. Kids spend all this money on these clothes because in their mind, they believe it makes them look rich, appear popular, and make people like them. If a young girl just bought a $60 sweater from Abercrombie, she is going to make it known to her friends and others as apposed to buyin a similar sweater from JC Penny for $20 and be almost embarrassed to show it off.
I also agree with Bridget Thelen's answer. The sizes in the Abercrombie Store belong in a children's store, and therefore make you feel like you're obese when you're standing next to a two year old. The clothes make you feel guilty for having that midnight snack, and are the reason places like Tryon gym make so much money. It's almost like young teens have a competition of who can spend the most, and those who do appear to be more popular.
Bly Pd. 6
Ms. Erks--Of course you hadn't thought about the subliminal levels. Those ideas and perceptions are under the surface, under consciousness/awareness. The point is this: a lot happens under the surface level in our minds. On the surface, I (would like to) say I am zero percent racist; however, because I have grown up with a lot of negative images of Native Americans, I cannot say that I would not have racist tendencies in a given situation. Can I?
Halter pd. 2
I personally have never bought anything from Abercrombie & Fitch and I don’t plan on to. I have gone in the stores and tried on some things but I feel like I have to squeeze into it and I feel bigger and uncomfortable and it gets me to think that maybe I need to run more or stop eating so much ice cream. Now days I am comfortable and happy and I just don’t care. The store is only trying to get your money from you. They don’t care. I do believe that this store reaches out to young teenagers and try to brain wash them to thinking that they are more popular or the coolest, sexiest, hottest, and the most studly thing in the world if they buy and where there product. I completely agree with the other girls that your friends will still love you no matter what size or class, and that it isn’t worth the pain and the money to feel all that crap about yourself in those uncomfortable clothing.
As for The Lion King I believe that the younger kids don’t analyze or pick up on the things we did in our class but I do believe that subconsciously they have it in their minds to become racist, sexist and power seeking. I remember watching The Lion King and I don’t recall picking up all the things I know now. I do remember playing as kids and in a way it was sort of sexist, but I tended to lead away from the others and cause chaos and mix things up a bit. But as kids they never ment it to be sexist or one sided (even though I kind of dominated most of the time) it was subconsciously. Like I said in kids it is a subconscious thing that rises to the surface in them in different environments to how the will react.
Murtha, period 6
These women in these pictures are just like the lions in The Lion King; they are the ‘best’ type of people. They are the best dressed and they seem to have won the environmental lottery. They have good friends and seem to not have a care in the world about anything that may be happening. Their eyes are distant as if by wearing Abercrombie clothes they seem to be smarter or maybe more thoughtful. They aren’t being over run with ‘ugly’ people because they have the power to drive those people (hyenas) off into their own territory. They actually could also be interpreted as Timon and Pumba because they are living a life of narcissistic bliss. They don’t seem to have a care in the world because with these clothes they don’t need to worry because anything good that could happen to them will happen. Or so these pictures portray. In one of the pictures there is a woman running around with a possibly attractive male. This infers that if you where the clothes you will be more attractive to the opposite sex. They also show that you can either lie around comfortably or be active with these clothes. The clothes are ridiculously over priced and to be completely honest it would just be easier to go to a discount store and buy just a bunch of clothes because their style is very limited and not all that great. In fact I think it is actually awful.
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