Black Women in Media: Hidden Messages

This week I consumed more media than i usually do. The form of media that I am most ofetn exposed to is music, however this week I also watched some movies and read parts of a magazine. What stood out to me was an article I read in Essence magazine; it was an interview with Tyra Banks. I am fan of Tyra’s however recently I have found myself questioning just how positive her work is for women, as I feel that there are a number of contradictions in her shows and her career that seem to conflict with her aims to empower females and particularly women of color. However I was surprised by what I read, she said that it was never her ambition to become a supermodel, while this happened along the way, her ultimate gaol is to work in production. She said that she feels that production is where the real power lies, and this will really enable her to start to redefine images on black women in the media and consequently society.

I found this interesting as in many ways it seems as though Tyra Banks has sold out, as her image is very much in line with white standards of beauty, however this is perhaps out of necessity rather than desire. I saw an episode of her talk show; The Tyra Banks Show a while ago, and in this particular one she was very honest about how she feels guilty that her image has essentially become whiter. However she argued that she had little control over it, as she had to shed some of her blackness if she was to be successful in the modeling industry.

While on the surface it appears as though she has abandoned her desire to empower black females she argues that it is very much still present. In the article she spoke of the way her works seeks to give people a small dose of medicine but covered in syrup, so that they barely notice it. This appears to be what Patricia Hill Collins talks about when she says that Black women must work in ways that are empowering to other black women, however in doing so they must not separate themselves from mainstream society as they will become isolated. Ultimately they need other groups to cooperate with them if any significant change is to be made. Therefore in order for Banks to obtain a position in society through which she is really able to make an impact the way she wishes to, she must first be accepted and this means conforming to they norms of the mainstream. Thus once she is accepted she is able to send the message she wants, however this must still be covert or else she would risk being ostracized. However without first gaining this position she would be unable to affect the lives of black women the way she wants to. This to me is demonstrative of the ways in which black females must carefully negotiate positions in society through which they can really make an impact, and it often means toning down their messages, however they are still very much present.

Women in Sport: Tennis

This week I have not consumed a great amount of media, however the small amount that I did caught my eye. The Australian Open Tennis tournament started this week, and while I was watching it I was intrigued by the outfits that the female players were wearing. Women’s tennis apparel has changed greatly over the years, and it was striking to me how these days women look less like they are playing a sport, and more like they are about to walk down the cat walk. There is of course nothing wrong with wearing nice outfits when playing tennis, however it seems to me that fashion and beauty are starting to overshadow the sport. Therefore instead of the sporting realm being a place where women are liberated and can shed the stereotypes that are so prominent in other parts of life, it is beginning to be just as controlled by them as other industries. It seems to me that women are acknowledged less for their talent, and more for their appearance. Even in sport women are very much objects of the male gaze.

The Reason I find this troubling is because I feel it has as number of negative consequences for women. The outfits are very much based around a certain body image, one which promotes being slim, as there really is no where to hide in the clothing these days because it is so revealing. Commentators are constantly making references to players bodies, how they are in great shape, or look like they need to get back in the gym. This not only effects the players I’m sure, but wider society also. For young girls taking up the sport, the image part of tennis is fundamental, and being someone who plays myself, I have witnessed this first hand. Many people cannot meet the norms that have been created in women’s tennis, the average girl playing at amateur level may be unable to meet these in the same way that elite athletes do. For me the hyper feminisation of women’s tennis is demonstrative of the way in which women’s sport is being increasing regulated by society, as it is still very much controlled by the gender norms that are prevalent in wider society.