Killing Us Softly

I came across this video today and was deeply moved by it. This wasn’t the first time I’ve watched a video like this, but I think it’s time I stop keeping a blind eye towards this serious problem. I think you guys and girls should watch this 5 minute video (just long enough to keep our short attention-spans). 

*WARNING* This video has footage that may not be the most appropriate for kids younger than 13. Then again, young girls are constantly exposed to this kinda advertisement so it’s nothing new. It hurts my heart to know that young girls are consistently exposed to this detrimental advertising.

For 2 semesters now, I’ve been taking photoshop classes and have gotten fairly acquainted with the program. For my pictures, I have been able to get rid of pimples, blemishes, and unwanted marks with ease. I’ve witnessed how useful and magical this program is for designers, photographers, and etc; it’s an awesome program.

Fast-forward to today, and I find myself perusing my google reader. I find an article that has this video attached to it, I watch the 5 minute video, then I decide to write this blog entry. I think the video is self-explanatory. I don’t think I need to commentate on it very much. I only want to leave two quotes that gave me a new perspective on our society’s advertising culture. It made me re-think about the destructiveness and detrimental affect this kind of constant advertising has on women. 

“Your penis may be too small, too droopy, too limp, too lop-sided, too narrow, too fat, too pale, too pointy, too blunt, or just two inches. But at least you can have a great pair of jeans.”

When I heard that statement, I felt violated and was appalled. It makes me feel slightly insecure. The statement was so absurd. How could they make such an advertisement! Why would someone even say something like that? What’s the point of taking that angle to advertise your product? 

Well, it wasn’t a real advertisement; don’t you fret, men. It was merely a spin-off of a real magazine advertisement that went a little something like this: 

“Your breasts may be too big, too saggy, too pert, too flat, too full, too apart, too close together, too A-cup, too lopsided, too jiggly, too pale, too padded, too pointy, too pendulous, or just two mosquito bites. But with _ styling products, at least you can have your hair the way you want it.” 

WHAT?! That’s ridiculous. That’s the culture I live in. That moves me to pray for the healing of our generation’s brokenness. Men, let’s reject that mindset of turning women into objects. Let’s remember that some of these women that we’re lusting after are our sisters in Christ – they are God’s daughters. Women are God’s precious creation. 

Please check out the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PTlmho_RovY