After class on Tuesday I began to think more about the media and how it influences me. I would say that I am a caring person, but when a person looks or wears a certain thing I catch myself judging. It is are to think that you do this even when you don't realize it. Growing up I was told to be myself and I will turn out just fine. Now being older I often wonder who I would be if it weren't for the media. I wouldn't do my hair or make-up. I tell myself that this is acceptable, but yet I never do. It is amazing to think that without the glitz and glamor we would all be basic and would not have a standard to fulfill! It is truly amazing when something like a movie in class can open your eyes!
It is so human to make judgements, granted I do think we're conditioned to do so. I wouldn't beat yourself up for that, but I would take advantage of your awareness. It's beautiful that you understand and admit this. I do this, too. I judge. But, I try to not let that instinctual judgement decide, especially when evaluating another person. There is so much that has resulted in that person crossing my path, so my judgement comes from seeing one time dot of paint in their picture.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I think about, anyway.
I think that, as humans, we are not socially conditioned to judge on appearance, but rather biologically programmed to do so. One's appearance is a decently fast (if very flawed) way to asses another person's general health and their intent to harm or hurt you. I think this instinct has been warped and perverted by media tycoons into something we now use to exclude others or make them feel badly about themselves.
ReplyDeleteI catch myself doing the same thing, and quickly try to correct myself. No, I don't like the fact that that woman bleached her hair, but is it my business? Does it make her trashy or slutty? Surely there are countless other things that the woman has done which negate whether or not her hair is up to my personal standards.
I also think that this instinct which has been so warped has been tuned in, unfairly, to women. We, as women, are unfairly biased and focused on other women and we judge each other so harshly. I know I sometimes judge automatically, but the only way to break a habit like that is to be aware of it and to make a conscious effort to change. :)