This is so true, I love this

A friend of mine posted this image on facebook, and I totally have to agree with Malcolm X on this one.

         The newspapers and the media in general aren't always so blatant about oppressing people, but it's how they say things. They can twist words or put a negative slant on a certain type of people. They can subtly change peoples points of view about a certain section(s) of our population. These media types aren't always swaying our views intentionally but many times they are. Control and money, that's what I believe a lot of this is about. Because if you have the control, then you have the money.

The messages being pushed on us are that we must be a certain type of person, you must look a certain way, you must live a certain way and you must buy certain products or you are just not as good as the guy or girl that does buy into the messages. I believe in one way or another we have all been given this message. And I believe many of us have bought into it. I know I have, I know I have let the media sway my thinking and alter my perspective of the world.

Reading and taking in new information through these sources is obviously going to happen. But when do you know when your opinion has been tainted by outside sources? I think the images and messages in the media are sometimes so strong and are spewed out on such a massive scale, that we really aren't aware that we're being so heavily influenced by these people.

I believe that hatred keeps people in check. So many of us conform, some of us in subtle ways and others more obvious, but no one wants to be put down, or judged or even hated. So in the end, many of us bow down to the oppressors.

Again with the Timothy Leary quote "Think for yourself, and question authority."

Have a fantastic day ; )

Darkstar Woman

        

How Many Ads Do You See a Day?

So I was taking to this woman yesterday about self-image and society. She said, 'Did you know, that the average person sees approximately 5000 advertisements a day?' I was shocked and in disbelief. I thought how is that possible, 5000 ads?! That didn't seem right, I knew I had to find out the answer so I did a little research and believe it or not she was right.

This woman went on to explain that a great percentage of those ads are directed towards women and their appearance, and that even if we are not intentionally absorbing these ads like reading magazines, or watching t.v, these ads are everywhere you turn and our minds are unintentionally absorbing them. Ads are everywhere, on bus stops, benches, billboards, on our phones, on the internet, on BLOGGER, and so on and so on! It's definitely overwhelming.

It seems like it's almost a little bit like brainwashing, okay a lot like brainwashing! Scary!! Anyone would have a hard time turning their backs on that amount of messages sent their way.

We are being targeted to buy, buy, buy! We are shown that we should have the newest gadgets, the best clothes, the best homes, the best diets, etc. But do all of these material items really make us happier? The ads will just keep on coming, and we will never have enough.

There is this guy named Timothy Leary, he was activist in the 1960's I believe. He told people to think for themselves and question authority. I never really bought into the questioning authority part. Although that may make me sound naive, what I mean is I thought obeying laws and following rules was important. But as I grow older and now that I have a family of my own, I'm starting to see things differently.

As children we are for the majority of our growing up, told what to do and what to think. But as adults I think it's so important to question everything we are taught as children. It's important to know if what you're parents told you about life makes sense in your adult life. Also what you were told by your teachers, religious figures, the media, your peers, and society, does it work for you now? As for myself I feel like I'm waking up, and now I'm asking myself that important question, does this fit for me?? Does seeing 5000 ads a day work for me?? I think not.

Here's a link to an article about the same issue:

So, THINK FOR YOURSELF AND QUESTION AUTHORITY. AND...Have a great day : )

Darkstar Woman