Major technological advances in our time have allowed us to reach an unprecedented level of mass communication and media. This new connection with the world around us has given us a sense of freedom yet also promote a set of dangers – latent dysfunctions which, unless exposed and changed, will turn our media into a platform for victim blaming and trivializing sexual abuse. I believe that mass media helps perpetuate rape culture and, in this paper, I will examine the influence of popular media and news coverage to further solidify my argument. To fully understand the concepts in which I am discussing, I will clarify the definitions of mass communication and rape culture. Mass communication can be considered the “message transmission from
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Just let me liberate you. Robin Thicke’s song, Blurred Lines, was one of the biggest hit songs of 2013. The catchy, repetitive song was later condemned as a rape anthem4 and promptly became the center of controversy, pertaining to the questionable lyrics and blatantly sexist music video, in which topless woman dance around the fully clothed men while Thicke chants you know you want it. The message behind the song was clear: no does not always mean no5. Although the singer received harsh backlash, evidenced in the complete takeover of the hashtag #askthicke by feminists – #AskThicke When you’re not busy objectifying women, making light of rape and justifying sexual violence, how do you like to relax?6 – the song remained at the top of Billboard charts for 31 weeks7. Radio stations played it constantly; it wasn’t uncommon to hear people singing along. While they may have not understood the full meaning behind the lyrics, kids and teenagers internalize the message that woman want it – regardless of whether they do or not.
Another medium of pop culture is literature. 50 Shades of Grey became the fastest book to sell one million physical copies – beating Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and J.K Rowling’s The tales of Beedle the Bard – by doing so in 11 weeks. Sales include 3.8 million physical books and 1.5 million ebooks”8. EL James’ website calls the book a “provocative romance”8 marketed at young and middle aged …show more content…
News channels covering stories of rape will often use euphemisms in order to ‘soften’ the crime, or focus on what is perceived as the victim’s wrongdoings. In Lauren Rosewarner’s book, American Taboo: The Forbidden Rules, Unspoken Rules, and Hidden Morality in Popular Culture, she notes that “by using euphemisms, a distance can be established between the victim and the word rape”12. Failing to address the crime for what it is questions the victim’s role in her rape and trivializes the matter. Victims are, therefore, less likely to come forward about the rape. A report made by the U.S Department of Justice in October 2012 found that only 27% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported13. As few as 7% of rapists are arrested, while only 2% will be put in jail; the other 98% walk
Just let me liberate you. Robin Thicke’s song, Blurred Lines, was one of the biggest hit songs of 2013. The catchy, repetitive song was later condemned as a rape anthem4 and promptly became the center of controversy, pertaining to the questionable lyrics and blatantly sexist music video, in which topless woman dance around the fully clothed men while Thicke chants you know you want it. The message behind the song was clear: no does not always mean no5. Although the singer received harsh backlash, evidenced in the complete takeover of the hashtag #askthicke by feminists – #AskThicke When you’re not busy objectifying women, making light of rape and justifying sexual violence, how do you like to relax?6 – the song remained at the top of Billboard charts for 31 weeks7. Radio stations played it constantly; it wasn’t uncommon to hear people singing along. While they may have not understood the full meaning behind the lyrics, kids and teenagers internalize the message that woman want it – regardless of whether they do or not.
Another medium of pop culture is literature. 50 Shades of Grey became the fastest book to sell one million physical copies – beating Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and J.K Rowling’s The tales of Beedle the Bard – by doing so in 11 weeks. Sales include 3.8 million physical books and 1.5 million ebooks”8. EL James’ website calls the book a “provocative romance”8 marketed at young and middle aged …show more content…
News channels covering stories of rape will often use euphemisms in order to ‘soften’ the crime, or focus on what is perceived as the victim’s wrongdoings. In Lauren Rosewarner’s book, American Taboo: The Forbidden Rules, Unspoken Rules, and Hidden Morality in Popular Culture, she notes that “by using euphemisms, a distance can be established between the victim and the word rape”12. Failing to address the crime for what it is questions the victim’s role in her rape and trivializes the matter. Victims are, therefore, less likely to come forward about the rape. A report made by the U.S Department of Justice in October 2012 found that only 27% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported13. As few as 7% of rapists are arrested, while only 2% will be put in jail; the other 98% walk