"Killing Us Softly": Portraying women in the media

07.07.2010

When I came across Jean Kilbourne’s video about the media’s portrayal of women, I was blown away - much like the tiny women in it would with a strong gust of wind. The video takes a critical look at images of women in the fashion industry, movies and magazines.

We are shrinking... literally! Our bodies are shrinking in size, our voices are softened and our bodies are being objectified and pulled apart for the purpose of selling products. Kilbourne urges us to look at the impact that this objectification of our bodies in the media has on our perception of ourselves and on the prevalence of violence against women. This epidemic doesn't only affect grown women, it also affects teen girls and even young girls before hitting puberty.

The media is killing us by encouraging us to kill ourselves with unhealthy eating and exercise habits. We need to let go of what we think we “should” look like and instead focus on just being healthy and happy.

Take a look at the video and share your thoughts on how the media is “Killing Us Softly.”



--Laura B.