Music Reflection

Andrew Tolentino
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

I believe that one’s embodiment of music acts as a catalyst for that particular one person to see depictions of the world we currently live in. For example, in Wald’s analysis with Japanese female bands such as Shonen Knife and Cibo Matto Wald shows how these bands depict the cultural differences within gender and apply specific rebellious narratives in their music towards these cultures. Thus, Asian female fans of these bands have a stronger connection and familiarity of their narratives as oppose to white female fans. I can personally relate to this not through music but rather through film to a time I went to see a Japanese animated film. With most of the audience being Japanese at the theater I went to, during many scenes I heard a lot of laughter and giggles however I did not interpret these scenes humorous at all.

Furthermore, through music artists are able to create or change images of themselves for their audiences. This is really popular in pop culture which we saw in our music video projects. Miley Cyrus is an example of an artist who did this in her transition to adulthood from her Hannah Montana phase. Through the new music she was making we saw the power of white privilege in this world due to the fact that she was able to quickly transition and appropriate black music and still heavily profit from this. Her white privilege was shown even more when she decided to go back to making white music. In addition, through Justin Bieber and the music he made to also transition into adulthood we see the dominance of the patriarchal society in this world. This is exemplified in his music video “What Do You Mean” as the music video portrays the ideal heteronormative male fantasized relationship. Throughout the whole video Bieber takes control of everything while his partner shows submission by not taking any action of her own, and in the end of the video everyone is happy.

Gender and Media: Summer 2017

Reflections on readings from HUM208:Gender and Media at Illinois Tech. Instructor: Michael A. DeAnda

Thanks to Michael DeAnda

Andrew Tolentino
Gender and Media: Summer 2017
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade