"Whale-ing Around" B. Elae

     Alongside controversial music videos, debates, mishaps, and actions, I think we tend to forget about those attention-grabbing PETA advertisements and campaigns. PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals)-founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco- is an animal rights organization that stands up against the mistreatment and killing of animals. PETA boldly snatches 1st place for receiving attention, causing various reactions and emotions, and dauntlessly protesting their position on animal cruelty. In other words, PETA creates some of the most controversial, crowd moving, eyebrow raising, fist-balling, lip-smacking, tear jerking reactions through their advertisements! Although PETA is acknowledged for the good intentions made towards improving the treatment of animals, it is also acknowledged for being offensive and demonstrating various actions including: the devaluing of humans, exploitation, assault, and according to a  Huffington Post entry by Nathan J. Winograd shared below, lying. I understand the disagreements and protests made towards any form of animal cruelty, but I do not agree with offensive statements and images made towards individuals through these protests. I searched for some of PETA's billboard advertisements to share with you all, and I found one I'd taken an interest in for some time. I've been aware of PETA and their controversial ads since my college years. My minor, Women's and Gender Studies, allowed me to study some of PETA's ads and connect them to the aspects and conflicts within gender (which is totally possible by the way). Below, is one of PETA's very own billboard ads from about five years ago...and below that is my explanation as to why this image is offensive.

Google Image

     Perhaps some individuals are able to get a giggle out of this image: the backside of a curvy woman in a bathing suit situated next to a caption that reads "Save the Whales" in a large font with an 'encouraging'  "Lose the blubber: Go vegetarian" caption underneath the image of the figure. Sure, this ad totally focuses on the relevance of being vegetarian and saving animals...not so much. This ad actually displays and reiterates the relevance of the physical structure of the body and  what society has deemed as "ideal" and "healthy" for decades: the "thinner"or "slimmer" figure and person. "Thinner" individuals have been the preference in society. This ad does not signify or provide any reasons for or health benefits of being a vegetarian. Instead, it connects the woman's shape to the term "whale" while suggesting her size is a result of her eating meat. My issue, again, with this advertisement, is the presence of the continuous body-judging and body-shaming trend that goes on in our world. I question if we have forgotten that our shapes do not always deal with our meal intake. So basically, it is, in fact, extremely possible that an individual with a "curvier" frame can be a vegetarian, and we have just excluded the possibilities of traits and heredity. It's also possible than an individual with a "thinner" frame may not be a vegetarian. Big surprise. The ad also deepens this issue because the frame of the character in the advertisement is designed to belong to a woman who (out of the other sexes and genders) endures the most judgement and conflicts in reference to 'ideal' shapes and figures in this society. This ad also encourages self-hatred in reference to body image. It suggests that we can only embrace ourselves if our figures are slim which disrespects the reality of the beauties that exists in all of our various shapes and sizes. It can also display a negative image for vegetarians and the mindset and attitude they may have towards other individuals, their meal preferences, and their shapes...which then formulates a generalization for vegetarians that creates more confusion and lack of understanding between people and their meal choices. Besides what society would perceive the woman in the ad as, was there anything educational displayed in this advertisement that we can identify? I'll sit here and wait. Okay, done waiting. I'd actually be interested in learning about the vegetarian life, but this advertisement would definitely cause me to rethink my interest due to disrespect to the figure in the ad. From a business perspective, it could be argued as clever solely for the ability to grasp attention, but I believe this ad led to more defeats than victories. Go on ahead and take this "L" PETA.

...Alongside the possibility of these euthanization and animal cruelty accusations possessing validity (which is horrific and totally hypocritical), image bashing of other individuals is not okay. Although you can look up some of PETA's ads on the 'net, here are two more ads from PETA:

                     Google Image

With Realness, 

B. Elae

6/29/14

http://www.peta.org/

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/petas-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-history-of-killing-animals/254130/

https://www.myphilanthropedia.org/top-nonprofits/national/animal-welfare-rights-protection/2011/peta-people-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-animals

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-j-winograd/peta-kills-puppies-kittens_b_2979220.html

https://www.activistfacts.com/organizations/21-people-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-animals/

" Hoosier Interviews:Who's In Indiana, Again?!"- B. Elae

This blog is solely dedicated to people working their way up to their dreams and goals. From my city and on, we have people putting in work, and while the majority of the news we receive and things we see are negative, there are some positives in the making as well!!

Up first, I have 25 year old Maeve Peterson-Miller also known as "Mani Maeve" who found herself working as a nail tech at MaiSunami Nails (located in Bloomington, Indiana) after her boss acknowledged Maeve's nail art skill and suggested she become a tech. Maeve had been a receptionist at the nail salon since her sophomore year in college. ManiMaeve stated " I knew I was dropping out of college and needed to make money - I enrolled at Indiana Cosmetology Academy! Nail school is lame, but Susan taught me everything I needed to know and inspired me with her professional and art skill level. The first design she taught me was a five-petal flower using a toothpick! I've developed my nail art over the past 4 years working full-time at MaiSunami". Mani Maeve's nail art work is inspired by her client's mood and needs as well as an idea hook she uses as a reference. When asked what her dream is, Maeve stated "I used to have grandiose dreams of being a renowned artist or philosopher, traveling the world, living happily ever after... these days, my goals include maintaining a healthy body and mind, making enough money to sustain myself and save up for a modest future with my boo, and acquiring practical life skills. I am planning to get my nursing degree with in the next 5 years, but am still exploring my options. I generally strive towards greater awareness, knowledge, discipline, compassion, kindness, wisdom, and love (of self and others)".

When I asked Mani Maeve about her desired location when working on pursuing her career dreams, she replied, "I'm about to go nomad for a year. I'm moving back up to South Bend in August to reconnect with my home-folks and save money...then Charleston, SC in November to live with my brother a few months. I'll do nails as an independent mobile artist, and whatever odd jobs I gotta hustle to stack cash. I have an amazing girlfriend who will be posted up in Indianapolis, so I'll likely end up there after Charleston. I'm a dandelion seed in the wind right now, letting the flow of life carry me to fertile ground." Outside of her work life, Mani Maeve enjoys contact sports including martial arts! Mani also played rugby for five years, and she spends ample time with her nephew, dancing, training, organizing hip-hop shows, and growing veggies, herbs, and flowers. I then asked Mani Maeve some of her inspirations, and she replied, "All of these questions are bigger than they appear at first! Got me thinking existentially here, woman! In general: I'm inspired by silience: the unnoticed excellence that goes on around you everyday - the hidden talents of friends, coworkers. acquaintances - which could be renowned masterpieces if they could make it to whatever machine determines and promotes 'popular taste'. While there are a ton of acknowledged artists, authors, 'activists', philosophers, and musicians that I dig, I am most effectively motivated by friends and family who are 'ordinary people' a.k.a not famous, but stubbornly and consistently create art, beauty, and love out of a desire, a need to make the world a better place, despite lacks of money, time, power, prestige, acknowledgement, gratitude. As an artist, I draw inspiration from global fashion and body decoration, space, plants, creatures, power lines, pigment, non-fiction books, street art, 'subculture', nomads, kids, Do-it-yourself attitude, up-cycling, 'outsider' artists, the un-closable space between people, boundaries, hip hop, punk, and folk music and musicians."

Fact about Mani Maeve: "I have the phrase 'this too shall pass' tattooed on my forearm in my father's handwriting. It helps me remember to take each moment as it comes because change is inevitable...When times are good, appreciate them because they won't last, and when times are bad, maintain hope for the better times to come."

Want Mani Maeve to grace your hands?? Here is her contact info:

Facebook: @Mani Maeve (www.facebook.com/manimaeve)  
E-mail: maevebeetown@gmail.com

Next up is none other than one of Indiana's talented musicians, and my friend, Adrian Taylor OR "Gizmo" from Pure Star Movement!

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Gizmo, a native of Indiana who now resides in Tennessee with his fancy singing wife states, "My entire life has been about finding my identity, and how becoming a musician has helped me discover who I am...and more importantly, WHO's I am. I have been musically involved since I was 6 when I started playing the violin. It wasn't until high school until I wanted to start playing the bass guitar (9 years later). As for my dream, I would definitely say I am living my dream....well I am living it every day (laughs). Traveling the country, performing with various artists...even travelling the country and performing with my wife is a dream come true!! The story of how we met is pretty much because of music!" I then asked Gizmo about his future plans, and he replied, " My plans for the future...hmmmm...I would love to continue my legacy and show my future heirs what it means to be a musician. I don't really want too much other than to be a light to people..." Check out Gizmo and Pure Star Movement below...and be on the lookout for his wife, LaSheena Taylor.

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http://purestarmovement.com/videos

ONE MORE! ONE MORE! PARENT OF THE WEEK GOES TO...

Dominique Bonilla

Dominique is a Women's and Gender Studies major and a Spanish and Political Science minor at Indiana University at South Bend (with a certificate in Social and Cultural Diversity). She is an activist, singer, and a Mommy of a three-year old girl who she sets an amazing example for. Dominique plans to stay in Indiana and work within the community ( "or a more impoverished location") to assist those in need if assistance while working to break barriers within the Hispanic culture. She also wants to build self sufficiency courses for young women.

Want to nominate a "Parent of The Week"?? Let me know. In the meantime, keep dreaming, keep working, and remember the importance of your gift. And share my blog page with everyone if you enjoy reading! I'm always open to comments and discussions.

With Realness,

B. Elae

6/25/2014

"Nothing Big...Just A Father's Day (WithsomeacknowledgementforMother'sDay) Blog"

I see them often...Pre-Father's Day statuses. The "Let us get our day",or "If I see someone tell a mother 'happy father's day' I'm no longer their friend". I understand Father's Day is a tough day for a nice portion of people: a nice percentage of father's will not and have not been present (or are present but aren't active in their children's lives), some "fathers" -who are actually "sperm donors"- will solely appear on this "commending" and "extravagant" day, and other fathers will expect a gift, medal, or some award on thin paper you found from the store where you fill their name in on the line. It makes some of us angry. Not to mention, this day reminds plenty about the number of days the father has been absent, the excuses, the negative and selfish actions, the chances given while waiting for him to "change", and the additional kids that he fathered. Their absence places single parent homes into certain classifications directed towards the members within the house, stereotypes, images (by peers, strangers, the GOVERNMENT, and the media), and assumptions directed towards single parent mothers and their children. Plus... culturally fabricated statistics...mmmm my fave.

We're reminded how easy it is for a male to leave the household, how children bring forth inquiries as to where their father is, and furthermore-another dose of assumptions (sometimes) accompanied by a label with pity for all children whose father is absent from the home. Right? Maybe in some situations...BUT realistically, mothers can leave too and they do. Some mothers are, in fact, absent from their children's lives as well-whether it's physically, mentally, or emotionally...but at least they stuck around for the 9 months of labor . Also, some mother's don't deserve to be acknowledged on mother's day, but still expect the same things fathers that have been absent or aren't involved with their children expect. We forget about that because of the actual number of missing fathers in the lives of the home and children, and because of the frustrations from our own parental and household situations. And because of gender norms, women receive harsher judgement and punishment from others when they are absent from their children's lives or aren't involved with their children because women are viewed as the "nurturers". Women are to be the mothers from the commercials and movies offering the utmost amount of love a woman can provide to the blessing(s) from her own womb.

It's seldom single parents that are males are witnessed in the media and in actual life, but they exist. Just like absent or unloving mothers do. And what about the children that have someone else offering triple the love because BOTH of their parents are absent???? It's important to remember all mothers and fathers are not the same. For those that feel that way, it is unjust to channel anger from your own situations towards every other individual. Another thing people forget to identify: not everyone is aware of their partner-therefore-a household missing a parent is NOT their fault, and the opinions of others are of minuscule relevance (unless, they were aware of the type of partner they had or they were the reason for the absence of a parent). My main thing for this blog is...there's a Mother's Day and a Father's Day (among many other made up holidays), and the day is to be celebrated by the figures deserving of the acknowledgement and credit. Some fathers aren't acknowledged on Father's Day (and some mothers aren't acknowledged on Mother's Day), but there are actual fathers, so allow the acknowledgement they receive for the day. I repeat, there are fathers present AND active in their children's lives! And if some mothers are fathers as well (like my Mommy), then let her be acknowledged on Father's day if someone thinks she is deserving of the acknowledgement. Don't haaattteeeeee (SN: Acknowledgement for the "other" parent doesn't make it "okay" for the household to be led by one parent; I believe it acknowledges their dedications to both roles. People tend to misunderstand acknowledgement in certain situations at times).

We cannot determine, praise, or shame someone that does not "meet" the physical qualifications (i.e. no penis for the folks upset about mothers receiving appreciation) of Father's Day...or Mother's Day for that matter. To take it further, someone that is not the biological parent of a child may still receive acknowledgement on that day because of their role in the child's life. Are they not allowed to be acknowledged for one of these days because they don't meet the qualifications? I mean, seriously. Anyway, my main subject here is: for those that celebrate these holidays, do so, and understand there are actually some fathers active in their child's/children's lives. Plus, we made days like these up!!!!! Celebrate your parent, parents, or someone you consider a parent on other days AS WELL. Love isn't a one day thing and being a parent is the molding of a character. Better yet, how may days does it take to be able to qualify to receive a card on one of these holidays??? Anyway...enjoy your holiday people. We're going to Golden Corral to celebrate...kind of..I think? lol. Good day.

B. Elae 6/14/2014

"Cultural Appropriation, Pharrell, and the Warbonnet" -B. Elae

     Recently, I read an article from Colorlines discussing Pharrell's choice of "head decor" displayed on the cover of  Elle UK's magazine. If you're unaware, the image, which I will post below, shows Pharrell wearing a Native American Headdress. With the controversy growing- stemming debates over individuals being "too sensitive", cultural appropriation, and how offensive the image is-I shared the article on my Facebook page for opinions from my peers. Was Pharrell in the wrong? Are people that are offended over-reacting? Is our ignorance to other cultures, races, and ethnicities, causing us to unintentionally fail to acknowledge the fault in his action? Have we overlooked other instances in which individuals have worn items from other cultures in which they, too, have caused frustrations and brought insult to other people?<<YES. Are people, including Pharrell, aware of the significance of other items, but overlook the significance in order to promote a certain type of fashion statement? Bridget Johnson, a graduate from Indiana University commented (after speaking about Pharrell's interview with Oprah about being a 'new black'): "...For the headdress thing, I mean, it's a war bonnet. A lot of Native American people were upset because you have to earn those and they're meaningful. Non-Natives appropriating it is a slap in the face like 'Naaaah you can't have your land back or decent conditions on the reservation, but we wanna play around with your culture for fun'. If he isn't active in that culture, he can take his new black/generokee self outta that bonnet!"

      Bridget said it. Straightforward, short, and direct...Here is why Pharrell wearing the warbonnet (although claiming to be of some Native blood) is, in fact, offensive. Already possessing some knowledge about Native American history and culture, I researched other articles that offered information on Native American  warbonnets/headdresses. Similar to what my friend, Bridget, said, warbonnets possess immense meanings. Everyone in the Native American culture is not entitled to a headdress. These warbonnets-believed to be started by the Sioux tribe- vary in image among tribes. Not only are these warbonnets worn by figures of  power, but each feather (sometimes dyed for certain reasons) on a warbonnet is earned, so while some of us may solely be enamored with the physical appearance of the warbonnet, others understand and admire the reasoning behind the variations of beautiful feathers. The feathers are earned; not given. Warbonnets possess more meaning than what some of us may be aware of. They are worn by individuals that have demonstrated bravery, have surpassed certain expectations, and are a means of communication and understanding to members of the culture in which warbonnets are worn. What we must understand is that some of the items we select to wear as fashion accessories may withhold history or represent something within one's culture, and ignorance or the absence of understanding and respect causes conflict and insult- even in instances in which we are attempting to pay "homage" to another's culture through sporting that item. Cultural appropriation is not completely easy to identify. Certain dances, body art, and apparel have and may bring forth controversy and blatant disrespect or ignorance in certain situations, but there are instances in which cultural appropriation is easily identified. What may be perceived as minuscule to one, may be of immense relevance to someone else. It's important to encourage and demonstrate cultural relativism and the understanding of practices of one another. It could possibly lead to better communication.

Bridget Johnson speaks again:

"Making light of cultural genocide is inappropriate and doesn't foster understanding of other cultures or diversity. Basically, a culture isn't a costume or the punch line to a joke."

Something to think about...

B. Elae
06/05/2014-06/06/2014

                                                                 Google Image

http://indianvillagemall.com/headdress/headdress.html

http://www.native-languages.org/headdresses.htm

http://globerove.com/usa/native-american-indians-headdress/2276

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/06/03/not-happy-natives-pan-pharrells-headdress-look-elle-uk-cover-155142