Beauty as respresented in both mainstream and independent media
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"White Negros" Even today, albinos in South Africa face widespread prejudice and discrimination. Rejected by both the black and white communities, they struggle to find their place in society. "Some women spit when they see me. They think albinism is contagious and that will stop them catching it", confides albino Ntswaki. Both her parents are black but because of her white skin her father rejected her at birth. "I feel I am in strange place -- not white enough, not black enough." To view this moving documentary short (8 mins) go to Youtube and search for "White Negros" (there is no direct link to his video) |
Dianne: Please take the time to view this video. Copy and paste the link to view; it was not available to put on the site. It takes beauty to a level where it needs to be.
Peleka: Personally I don't understand why people are prejudice against albinos. Bottom line is that we are all human and we all have something different to offer in the world. People should not be judged by what they look like but by who they are.
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DOVE "alternative" advertising campaign www.campaignforrealbeauty.com
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Dianne: I think this clip is great down to the "false" billboard; it brings to light the deceptive tactics of advertising. Youth today have a skewed sense of beauty due to the media, and to use the media to show them how false their perceptions are is quite clever. Peleka: I don't wear make-up. I'm a very simple girl and to see what women plaster and starve themselves to look like somebody else is really sad. As for the media they take no responsibility for the messages they throw out there to young minds trying to find their way and their identity. |
A simple slide show of photographs found online of wonderful African Women in their element of natural beauty, motherhood, youth and culture. Posted by youtube user Saience |
Dianne: What Africans have known for a long time... it is home to many beautiful women of all sizes, shades, and ethnic backgrounds. Their beauty challenges the images of western media that have been projected for too long.
Peleka: Most african women have accepted their bodies for what they are because we can't afford plastic surgery like most Americans can, I assume. I'm glad that I have my mother and aunts who are full figured women and proud. Yes, western media does have it's effects but it doesn't over come what a true African woman is. |
Video Promo for the upcoming satirical novel, The Immaculate Complexion by Edie Bloom. Dorchester Publishing, May 2007. |
Dianne: Hey, by wearing the right design, you can blend into almost any piece of furniture and make your true size impossible to determine. And, every chance you get you should pop into the ladies' room and freshen all your makeup. You know the drill, but perhaps you are getting tired of all this...maybe you are thinking that it is time to accept your facial features, body, and the natural aging process. Nah forget it, keep your skin wrinkle free by never smiling, don't eat and lose weight, wear make-up to mask flaws and live unhappily ever after! Peleka: It seems that everything we want to be takes us away from who we really are. We don't want to grow old, we don't want scratch marks, we don't want birth makes. Why do we want to change who we are? why do we all want to look the same?
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The Beautiful Women Project is a touring art exhibition of life-sized torsos of real women aged 19-91. Please visit: http://bwp.websterwood.com/ |
Dianne: A beautiful and honest look of the beauty of the female anatomy; one that includes the breasts that provide nourishment as well as pleasure. Sexuality when presented in a sensual and tasteful way is a work of art.
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Video made by "dragonetx" for a school project and posted on youtube.com April 2007
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Dianne: The problem with anorexia is not how others perceive you, it's how you perceive yourself. The health effects of these diseases can be irreversible if they stop. If you know someone who you suspect has an eating disorder, it's important that you make it clear to them how much you care about them and how much they need help.
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News package on the Musclebound performance at UCF on 10/2/06 and the effects that media has on male body image. |
Dianne: There is a greater dissatisfaction amongst females about their body image when compared to males. However, to assume that males do not have body image issues is extremely misleading. When it comes to the media and male bodies, size and shape are growing issues. The "real body": hair, sweat, blemishes, are now being considered as not desireable. The real issue is we all need to accept who we are; stay healthy both in mind and body. |