"Photograph" or Illustration?

Photo Manipulation has gone too far! What ever happened to natural beauty? There is no such thing as natural beauty in the media today. Pictures are all manipulated in some way where it is just removing a zit, erasing freckles, or just changing the lighting or colouring. At the other end of the scale there are manipulations such as changing skin tones, widening eyes, making people skinnier/ more toned.

I am not really sure what I think about the OJ Simpson picture on the cover of Time magazine. I truly believe people see it differently and I understand why people see what they do. There are two different sides to every story. Time was either trying to make their magazine stand out so it would catch peoples attention OR they were trying to make OJ look scarier, guilty, mean, dark, evil, etc. Personally, I don’t really believe that this photo manipulation is racist. I believe people try to bring racism into any problem when they don’t have anything else to blame it on. People love to play the “race card” when they have nothing else. It’s not like Time darkened him and only him, they darkened the border to so that the whole picture appeared darker.

Compared to other photo manipulation such as Madonna’s Glamour cover for December 1990, this OJ Simpson cover is nothing. What about Katie Couric’s image? When she became the first woman head anchor, instead of being respected for that, they decided to manipulate her photos and make her skinnier. I think it is a lot different to make some one skinnier then they actually are, or change someones smile! I don’t believe they really changed OJ’s appearance all that much, it just seems like the pictures were taken with different lighting. Why did the media feel the need to post his mug shot anyway? Clearly no one looks good in a mug shot! You’re not aloud to smile; everyone looks like a criminal, so clearly this picture was posted to help persuade that he is guilty. Personally, I don’t really see this as the magazine being racist, but I am not surprised that people say this.
I don’t believe this photo manipulation is unethical. People alter photos everyday, I think making someone skinnier, or putting someones head on someone else’s body is unethical! Although, it seems our society accepts it all!
This is only my opinion, I do realize that people with different backgrounds, ethnicity, religion, etc with have different opinions. Perhaps, African Americans may find this racist as they sometimes receive the stereotype that they are the “bad” guys just because of their skin tone. Personally, I find that completely ridiculous and his skin colour should have nothing to do with deciding whether he is guilty or not. What does it say about our world when the jury is suppose to be random, and an outsiders view, meanwhile no matter what they are always rigged. Racism is definitely still around and this just proves it. There should be no need to have an African American dominated jury so that it is “fair” skin tone shouldn’t matter at all!

Work Cited

Unknown Artist. “OJ Simpson Newsweek TIME”. June 27th, 1994. Online image. Airbrushed Ethics. December 31st, 2007.

Unknown Artist. “Katie Couric”. August 29th 2007. Online image. TV Newser: the news about the news. December 31st, 2007.

Spears Bounces Back

Britney recently let out her new music video for “Piece of Me”. I believe that this song is actually an exceptional song and the video is a lot better than her few previous videos. I have a lot of respect for Britney after releasing this song as it is all the truth. She has been the “American dream since she was seventeen” so it doesn’t matter what she does nowadays she is still going to be in the limelight. Britney also speaks out about the media. Basically, this entire song shows the media that she really doesn’t care what they say about her and what they make her out to be, and I love that! At one point she states ” I’m Mrs. Lifestyles of the rich and famous,I’m Mrs. Oh my God that Britney’s Shameless,I’m Mrs. Extra! Extra! this just in,I’m Mrs. she’s too big now she’s too thin,”
And that is all completely true! I think this song would have been a better way to bounce back from all this drama with media instead of her preformance at the VMA’s. If her VMA’s preformance never happened, this song would have done a lot for her.

McCain Stereotypical Commercial

Unfortunately I could not find the commercial for “McCain Slow Cooker Solution” so if you haven’t seen it; I will give you the outline. The mom comes home from her day, the daughter is on the phone and says “mom call me when dinners ready” then a second later she says “one second someone’s on the other line”, and answers it. It is the mom and she says “dinners ready” and the girl screams as if it was way to fast. It is actually pretty funny although I find this commercial rather sexist and stereotypical. In the other McCain Slow Cooker Solution commercial the father is in the garage working on his car (very stereotypical) and the wife comes home, walks in the front door and the husband says “eh honey let me know when dinners ready” and a second later she walks in the garage door and says “dinners ready” and the husband screams.
I find this commercial very sexist because why does it have to be the mother cooking dinner?.. How come the mom gets home and the first thing they say is “let me know when dinners ready”. They could show how easy it is to make by having the teenage girl be like “great mom your home, dinner will be ready in a minute” something like that. Why did the father have to be working on his car in the garage? He could have been doing something else. The dad could have come home instead of the mother.

Avril's Career Questioned

According to The Rubinoos, Avril’s song “Girlfriend” is the same as their song “I wanna be your boyfriend”. The Rubinoos claim the lyric, the meter and the rhythm are identical and she that Avril stole the “heart and soul” of their song. Avril states “I had never heard this song in my life”.
Personally, I think the two song sound nothing alike, besides that one line “hey hey, you you…” besides that I see no similarities. In the copyright code it states that you can use 2% of a song without risk of copyright infringement. I am pretty sure four words is only 2%. I think the Rubinoos are being ridiculous for bringing this up. They are probably mad that their career is in the past and Avril Lavigne made a lot of money off that song.
You can’t just claim that someone stole the “heart and sole” of your song. When I look at songs such as break up songs, they all have the same story line! Someone cheats on someone, they’re left alone, still miss their love, want them to come back, etc. Break up songs either talk about how much they want the person back, or how much better off on their own. That is why I think it is absolutely ridiculous to say that someone stole the “heart and soul” of your song. That is like a movie producer saying that another movie stole the “heart and soul” of their movie. Meanwhile, we all know that all romance movies have the same story lines. They have a perfect life together, break up, meet up again later, and realize they’re still in love even if they’re with new people.

After revisiting this issue, my opinion has not changed towards the Rubinoos situation, but I do really wonder about Avril. After watching the videos on Brittany Lennox’s blog, I definitely see similarities in her “Keep holding on” song and My chemical romance’s song. Also defiant similarities between Avril’s “I don’t have to try” song and Peaches “I’m the kinda”. In those situations I definitely would say that Avril copyrighted. Although as far as the Rubinoos I still completely disagree.

Work Cited

Mark Liddell. “Avril Lavigne: Best Damn Thing CD”. Unknown date. Online image. Girls Who Rock. December 22, 2007.

9/11: Simply Unforgettable

I was in grade 5, in sciences class with Mr. Mcdonald. He was the type of teacher who had no control over our class. We didn't hear about it until the afternoon. I remember my teacher into the class late with the TV, so we were all extremely happy because we figured no science work, just watching a movie! Then he gave us a lecture before playing it about how it wasn't a happy sight to see, but it was the talk of the world. Our teacher seemed to be a bit of an emotional wreck, September 11th definitely hit him hard. I was more confused than anything. I never even knew what the trade towers were before September 11th. I remember walking home so fast staring in the sky, looking for planes because everyone said the CN tower was next. When i got home it was all over the news, every single channel. I was so sick of watching it. After a while i realised my mom was really shaken up, it had never occurred to me that half my family lives all over New York State, just 2 hours away from Time Square.

Everyone has different ways to deal with tragedies such as 9/11. Some famous singers decided to write songs and sing them to the world, to help themselves and eventually others. Alan Jackson decided to write a song called "Where Were You". This song was heavily criticized for the world to decide whether it was touching or tacky. Personally, I believe it was not tacky, if this is how Alan Jackson needs to help himself get through this tragedy then let him be! When will the media stop complaining?... people complain about how terrible our music is nowadays, how its always giving out bad messages, and then when ever someone tries to sing about something good, they get criticized saying its tacky! I believe this song describes a vivid variety of the manifestations of grief.

Movie directors also saw 9/11 as an opportunity to make movies, such as “United 93” and “World Trade Centre”. I think it is a tough call about these movies and whether they were created to make money, or for the memory on 9/11. Unlike artists directors don’t need to make us a visual to deal with things.
Personally, I think “United 93” seems to make you look at 9/11 through the eyes of the people on the planes. Therefore, it makes you see things differently, which I like. The part where the stewardess is talking about how she just wants to see her kids, really made me think. Imagine waiting for your mom to come home from work, and then you find out she’s never going to make it home. Imagine answering the phone and having your dad tell you he’s on a high jacked plane and wouldn’t be coming home. That would be awful! I really don’t have a clear opinion of whether this was created for money or not. The movie looks rather sad, but it is also the typical Hollywood movie.
As for “World Trade Centre”, I think that this is more of a “Hollywood” movie. Especially with the wording at the end, “The world saw evil that day, two men saw something else”. Was their actually two men that they talked to which inspired this movie? Or did they just make up two men that they knew they could make money off of. This movie also contributes to our study of “beyond good and evil” because this movie shows us that “the world saw evil that day”, which is contributing to stereotypes.

Work Cited
Unknown Artist. “9/11.” Sept 11th, 2001. Online Image. Art De Vany. 14 January 2008.

Celebrities Speak Out - Politcs

Back in 2003 the Dixie Chicks were n their “Top of the World” tour. Their career really was at its peek. That was until their performance at Shepherds Bush Empire in London, England. During the Dixie Chicks performance Natalie Maines said

“We’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas”.

At the time, the audience cheered, they loved it. But afterwards, it was all over the news and the hate began to flow in! The Dixie Chicks songs were pulled off the radio, radio stations were receiving hate letters and refused to play their songs. People said things like “strap her to a bomb and send her over to Iraq”. The hate Natalie received was unbelievable. After this whole ordeal the Dixie Chicks had hit rock bottom. America showed true support for George Bush during this situation as this was not to long after September 11th.

Later Pink decided to speak out about George Bush. She wrote a song called “Dear Mr. President” which was released on her album on April 5th, 2006. Although this situation was dealt with completely different than the Dixie Chicks comment. Pink has been praised for her song towards George Bush instead of hated. Pink claims some US television shows would not let her perform the song but that was the worse it got for Pink. Pink also seemed to deal with the situation differently than the Dixie Chicks. The Dixie Chicks never took back what they said, which I admire, they stood true to their opinions. Instead, Pink said at an MTV interview that she hoped George Bush had listened to the song and that "[he] is proud of the fact that we live in a country where we can do things like that, where we can have dissent, talk, communicate and share our opinions." So in a way, Pink gave him a compliment in that as we do have a good government system unlike other places around the world where something like this would never be accepted.

Kanye West also tried to take a jab at George Bush. After Katrina, Kanye claimed that "George Bush doesn't care about black people" This comment was soon forgotten because Kanye had no proof of that, he had no reason to make that comment.

These three situations were all handled completely differently! The Dixie Chicks had a perfect image before all this, so it was easy for the media to destroy their image. They were just your typical ‘girl next door’ country girls. Pink on the other hand has always been known as someone who speaks her mind no matter what. She doesn’t care what people think of her, and she’s always been that way so it’s hard to pull someone down like that. Kanye West on the other hand has always been known as a drama queen, always complaining about something or someone. The three artists are also apart of three completely different genres therefore they have three completely different audiences. These situations all happened at different times as the Dixie Chicks happened after 911 so the country felt the need to stand together and support Bush as everyone was still devastated about 911. When Pink spoke out George Bush was at his lowest point in ratings, people were not heavily supporting him as they once were. Kanye West’s comment happened after Katrina as America was trying hard to help save people in Katrina and raise funds for them. They were all three different times. Also I think the statements were all irrelevant. The Dixie Chicks comment was clearly against Bush, as Pinks song seemed more like she wanted to open Bush’s eyes, she wasn’t exactly saying something against him she was just asking rhetorical questions trying to make him think. As for Kanye West’s comment, his was just ridiculous and I find it typical that it came from him. All in all I can see why they were dealt with differently, but I think it is funny how much the media mingles with celebrities lives. I mean the media single handedly destroyed the Dixie Chicks career, it almost ended. Yet basically nothing was done to Kanye West as he tried to claim that George Bush was racist.

Truth About Arabs!

Arabs shown on television are nothing like the Arabs you would meet on the street. Arabs are always shown on television as terrorists, violent, abusive to women, etc. Dr. Jack Shaheen did a study using 1000 films that have Arab and Muslim characters in them, and recorded how they were portrayed. 900 out of the 1000 we negative towards Arabs and Muslims. This is all caused by Hollywood. Hollywood has their own concept of how Arabs are.
In order to help spread the word about what Arabs are really like, I would use a few different methods. First of all, I would create a typical family sitcom. It’d show the life of a regular Arab family, living in Buffalo. I chose Buffalo because it is a pretty busy city and lots of snow, therefore they would have to adapt to North American customs as they are not use to so much snow. I would have a family of 4; a mom, dad, teenage boy, and a younger girl. My goal of my show would be to show everyone that Arab people are not the same as the ones that Hollywood portrays. I would use secondary characters to help fight stereotypes against Arabs. For example, I would have a Caucasian “maid” appear on a few episodes, and the boys’ best friend would be Caucasian. I would do this because normally in Hollywood movies the Arab would be the Caucasians butler or cook or something along those lines. They are normally shown as the secondary characters, never the main character. The show would take you through different aspects of their lives, and it would prove stereotypes wrong in every episode. The show would help you to see what innocent Arab people have to go through just because of the media. I’d show that Arab families adapt to western culture, but I’d also make sure that people would be learning about the families culture/background as well. I’d say that the family would have immigrated to Buffalo 5 years ago, that way they would be adapted to their surroundings, and wouldn’t be in the learning process. I would air my show from 7-9 on week nights. My show would be family friendly, although aimed for 14-49 although it wouldn’t be a show that you would have to change the channel if your young one came in. I plan to also have a website for the show, so that I can see what people think of the show. I would advertise the website at the end of my show when the credits are rolling. Older episodes would appear on my website, and a message board for upcoming news. I would also like a spot where people could post their opinions on the show, give ideas on how to make it better etc. I would also have my email posted incase anyone needed to get in contact with me and my producers. I chose to use the computer and television for this product because I think it’d be the most effective to start off with anyway. Until the show became known, and then I could start putting out more things once people were familiar with the show. I think my product would be effective because it would be fun and entertaining yet people would be learning a lot and I think Arab people would appreciate it.
-Cassidy

How Oblivious to Media are You?

It’s amazing how when you’re not aware of something in your life you don’t notice it. Yet once someone makes you aware of it, you see it everywhere you go. Then you think it’s a coincidence that it is appearing everywhere, meanwhile it was always there you just never noticed it, and now you are consciously aware of it.
So what does it mean to be consciously aware? Let me give you an example. Last week in class I learned about a guy named Mike Vick. I had never heard of Mike Vick before in my life. Then, on Friday night, I was at work, it was pretty slow so I was just listening to the radio. All of a sudden, a rap song came on KISS FM. It was a song I’d never heard before because I don’t normally listen to that station. Anyways, in the middle of the song, the guy rapped “I can throw down like Mike Vick”. I couldn’t believe it! I had never heard of this guy before, and now I’m randomly hearing about him on the radio.
During this past weekend I didn’t have much time to do anything, so I was in the same surroundings all weekend. It was homework and Adventure Village all weekend. I noticed that my work advertises Pepsi ore than any other product. Between our pop machines and huge Pepsi signs everywhere, there is not much room for anything else. I also noticed that even though Pepsi is advertised everywhere, some people are truly oblivious to it. Everyday, at least one person comes to the snack bar and asks for coke; meanwhile, we all know Coke and Pepsi are never both sold in the same place. People don’t notice the advertisements because they see them so often and they’re not consciously aware of the advertisements around them!
Through out the weekend I also noticed that people automatically look at our signs with pictures of food, instead of reading the list of all the foods and prices because they know exactly what they are looking for. People always come to the counter and say “can I have one of those ice cream cones on the poster over there?” and when I ask them which flavour they want, they respond with “I don’t know the one on the poster,” so they want what they see, they don’t even know what flavour it is!
While I was at home, I looked around my house for things involving media. The first thing I noticed was magazines that were in my living room. It made me laugh when the first words I read on the cover were “back to school must haves” letting us students know that we mush have what’s in style, what everyone else is going to have.
Later that day, I was watching Ellen, and she read an email from a viewer that asked her to change the commercials for her show. The commercial was the “Empire Today” carpet commercial, which I can say I do know off-by-heart. The commercial is ridiculously overplayed.
Personally, I think I experienced a lot of media considering I was only at two places all weekend! On a regular weekend, when I’m out doing things, I must experience a lot more media then I should.

Work Cited

Unknown Artist. "Pepsi Logo". Unknown Date. Online image. Cherryflava - trends and innovation. 12 January 2008.

Different People; Different Technologies

People of different ages or sexes prefer different items because they're in a different state of life. They have different interests, and that is why they use different technologies more often. I tend to use my cell phone the most because I am always texting, meanwhile my mother does not have a clue how to text, all she needs is for the phone to make calls. Although, in my case I use my cell as a form of communication all the time! My father knows how to text, and he does sometimes but he can’t be bothered because it takes him longer to text it rather than just making a quick phone call. I text so much that I am ridiculously fast at it, so I don’t find it inconvenient at all! This is an example of how different technologies are found convenient and useful for different age groups/people. Another example would be the fact that my dad watches a lot of television; he finds it relaxing and enjoys it. This is the complete opposite to my brother; he finds the television a complete waste of time and would rather be doing anything other than watching TV shows. As for the computer my mom tends to use that the most because of her business. She works out of our home so she uses the computer and phone to communicate to her customers. My mom uses the computer more productively than me. I tend to use it for entertainment and homework. My dad on the other hand rarely ever uses the computer, and is an extremely slow typer. This is what makes me believe that people of different ages and sexes tend to use different technologies.

Fulla ! Barbie's New Challenger

My response to "Barbie Meets Her Match" Mark Mackinnon. The Global Mail, October 27, 2005.

1. Who created it and why?

NewBoy created it because Barbie was banned from most Middle East countries because of her clothing,style and message. Fulla was produced because it fit into the cultural realities of the Arab world.

2. Do people want it?

Young girls in the Middle East love Fulla. She has become a hit, the same as Barbie to Americans. You can buy Fulla cereal, Fulla gum, Fulla bicycles, Fulla bikes, etc. Also since Fulla's clothes are all appropriate you can buy life size clothes for girls!

3. What facts or statistics are used?

In the time between November 2003 and October 2005, 1.5 million Fulla dolls were sold. Fulla was also outselling Barbie by a 40 to 1 margin at a store called Spacetoon in Damascus.

4. What do you think?

I think the purpose behind the Fulla doll is to give Arab girls a doll which fits their culture. Personally, I think it was a very smart investment considering how popular Barbie is in the US. I believe the message in which Fulla gives off to Arabs is much better than the message Barbie gives to American children.

Work Cited

Unknown Artist. “Fulla”. October 6, 2007. Online image. Tunisian Authorities Confiscate Dolls Wearing Hijab. November 21, 2007.

Spears VMA's Performance

Britney Spears’ performance at the VMA’s was torn a part as she was apparently ‘drunk, fat, and lip singing.’ No matter what the people are never satisfied. There are always new stories coming out, one minute someone’s gone anorexic, next someone’s addicted to crack because she’s too skinny, or they gain a little weight, now suddenly there pregnant with someone’s boyfriend’s baby. I think it is all ridiculous. Honestly, I like the fact that Britney came out on stage the way she was, as if she wasn't afraid to hide it. She is definitely not fat, nor is she as skinny as she once was. But I definitely think that she is an average size, which most people in the real world are. With all these people making fun of her, I believe it is coming back on us as a community. Before we could look at magazines and be like "wow she’s so pretty, look at her body, she’s so in shape, etc"... and then there would always be someone who said "yah but that’s her job, she’s rich, she stays fit with only the best, they have motivation to stay fit." and then us as girls would realize that is true, we can't compare ourselves to famous models, singers, etc. But now that there making fun of her that is basically making fun of every one of us because she is an average size. I believe that Brittany Spears has become a mess, but she is not going to get better by getting hounded on all the time for every little thing!
The media is never pleased with everyday average stories that show the good. Where was the media in the beginning when Britney was still sane?... where were all the stories telling us about the great things she was doing for her children?... All the media ever talks about is all the bad or shocking stories. People can’t honestly believe that she never does anything good.
Clearly Britney Spears is going through a lot and she is not going to get better by being criticized every time she tries to bring herself back on the scene.

Work Cited

Unknown Artist. “Britney Spears VMA Performance”. September 10, 2007. Online image. Con’s Stance. November 3rd, 2007.

Media can be Deceiving

Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku Girls

All you hear about, and all you read about, is Gwen Stefani and her “entourage of Harajuku girls”. How she is using them for fame, and how they are not aloud to speak, they are just her “pets”. I personally believe that this is just another scandal caused by the media.
Throughout Gwen’s entire career, she has always dressed funky and crazy. This clearly did not come from the streets of North American. She has always felt the need to be different from everyone else. This is the part that convinces me that she truly does love the Harajuku style from Tokyo. If the Harajuku culture has inspired her so much, than what’s the problem with showing that off? What’s better, her trying to fit into the Harajuku style, or having Asian girls who fit the Harajuku style representing her? It’s just like when a Caucasian guy decides to become a rapper. No matter if he is good or not, he is still looked at as a “poser” just because of his skin tone. So now in this instance, Gwen isn’t being a “poser” per say because she is in a crowd with the Harajuku style, while still holding on to her own. Is our society ever really happy? I don’t believe so, nothing is ever good enough for everyone, and someone always has something to complain about.
The media is what makes it look like these 4 girls are Gwen’s slaves. At no point has Gwen ever made it seem that way. If anything, Gwen shows how much she loves them in her songs, her style, her CD, her clothing line, her commercials, and much more.
Gwen created her clothing line “L.A.M.B” which stands for her 4 Harajuku girls, “Love. Angel. Music. Baby”. If Gwen wanted all the attention to go to her, instead of the Harajuku girls, why would she name it after them? People think that she is selfish and she doesn’t want to share the limelight, and that’s why she doesn’t allow them to talk to the publicity, but that is completely wrong. Gwen has stated why she doesn’t allow them to speak, over and over again, yet somehow the media always finds a way to make her look bad. Gwen has stated that “the girls are in my imagination so don’t talk to them” in an interview. If that’s the way Gwen wants to look at it, than there’s a reason for that, and I completely support her on that. Gwen is trying to have a solo career instead of No Doubt, so why would she start up a new group with these girls. Stefani is so inspired by them, that she doesn’t want to share their inspiration, that’s why she wants them to her self, in her head. Gwen Stefani was quoted in an interview with Elle Girl saying “I was trying to write and I just started thinking about going to Japan and how it’s been inspiring me for years. I don’t want to say too much about the Harajuku girls because people should find out about them and see it for themselves.” Which is exactly how I see it, no one really knew about Harajuku girls before Gwen, and now that we see them, people can look them up and learn all about them!
Of coarse there is more than one side to every story, and I do realize how real Harajuku girls have a completely different opinion on this, but I am not sure if I completely understand it. I guarantee that most people in North America had no idea about Harajuku girls until Gwen Stefani brought them into the picture! When was the last time you saw an Asian singer on Much Music... they are just not around here. It is simply how Margaret Cho stated on her blog “At least it is a measure of visibility, which is much better than invisibility. I am so sick of not existing, that I would settle for following any white person around with an umbrella just so I could say I was there… because something is better than nothing.” Margaret Cho is a Japanese Asian American, who is looking on the bright side of what Gwen is doing; she sees no problem with it! Besides, in today’s day and age, aren’t we suppose to be more accepting to different cultures? Aren’t we all supposed to be receiving to others cultures, but as soon as a famous person tries something new, she is ripped apart for it.
Although my opinion on this topic is strongly leaning towards Gwen’s side of things, I can still see reasons why other people get the impression that the media focuses on. Some people truly believe that Gwen is using her Harajuku girls to make more money, which it probably seems that way because of her Harajuku Dolls, etc. I can see how those dolls could have caused a little commotion, as there really is no difference between the Love, Angel, Music, Baby, and the Gwen dolls. Just a slight change in skin tone and more make up on the Harajuku girls, and Gwen’s typical red lipstick on hers. Since there is no real difference, I don’t see how that is a problem, isn’t it better for kids to grow up thinking we are all the same? Instead of asking “mom, why is this Barbie’s eyes so small?” and things like that! Although these dolls may seem like she is using them for profit, think about it this way. Before she had these 4 girls, she had to find a way to support herself, she needed enough money to do everything she needed to do, for music videos, photo shoots, etc. Now she has 4 more girls to spend money on instead of just herself. She has to pay them, pay for their clothing, their make up artists, etc. How would she be able to do that, without bringing in some more cash flow?
People seem to think that Gwen is just exploiting the 4 girls jut to get attention, but I completely disagree. I believe that Gwen Stefani is attempting to get North America to adapt Japanese culture into American pop culture! As for “solving this problem” with Gwen Stefani, I don’t see a way to fix it. No matter what people are going to have different opinions on it. You can’t please everyone, but you can be pleased with yourself and Gwen seems to be very satisfied. Love, Angel, Music and Baby all appear rather happy to be close with Gwen and they imply that they love what they are doing on their personal interviews. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy with this, they’re living the life that they signed the contract for. They’ve become famous, in magazines, on TV, they’re on the red carpet, on tour, getting paid for what they love to do (dancing), and they basically get star treatment, with just the small price of not speaking. So why be against that, they are happy, maybe other Harajuku girls are jealous, maybe they would look at it differently if they were in the girls position. This is something that will never be solved, we won’t be able to find the ‘right’ answer, and it is all based on people’s opinions! And my opinion is that Gwen is doing nothing wrong, they are not her “slaves” or her “pets” they are her inspiration, and Gwen is just the Medias victim. This topic will get old soon enough, and the media will be running to get their hands on more drama.

Work Cited
Unknown Artist. “Gwen & Harajuku girls”. March 13, 2007. Online image. Gwen Stefani i Harajuku Devojke. October 20, 2007.