Stephanie Keller

Washington, DC

http://strength.org

Stephanie commented on the article | over 2 years ago

Has American Apparel Gone Too Far?

Sorry that that was basically a novel everybody.

But one last note. If interested, please read this book.

"Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls" by Mary Pipher

It made me want to be a psychologist working with teenage girls just to try and help them realize the bondage that our culture can sometimes be and that they don't have to subscribe to it. I think some of you might find it really interesting and useful. It uses psychological practice as real evidence that ya, our culture, media and society do effect us. and how!
Stephanie commented on the article | over 2 years ago

Has American Apparel Gone Too Far?

There is so much to be said here i don't even know where to begin. First, i would like to thank everyone for writing in. It has been a long time since I've been truly evoked or impassioned by an issue such as this besides the slight sigh of disgust that my daily life requires because my senses are so deadened to the overwhelming amount of "sex sells" "exploitation!" or even "sexual empowerment" as some of you seem to find it that its just too damn exhausting most of the time to do anything about it. So i am happy to know there are folks like yall out there who are evoked too.

What I'd like to ask, however, is why is it even necessary to position this issue as only important becuase the women may look young? I'm young. I'm 21. I've been dealing with this shit since i can't even remember when. Why isn't it just plain offensive that women (like so many others put so much more eloquently before me) are depicted in this way soley for the purpose that exposing their crotch in this position sells amazingly and gets a lot of hits online for reasons i'd rather not know about? that their bodies are what counts and the only thing that counts? ...not their minds, not their hearts, not their souls.

I understand and can see some of your arguments that emotion isn't the key here. action is. i agree. what are we doing about this everyone? one of you suggested getting in touch with the models. can we do that? can we change one models mind by just showing them this discussion forum and perhaps making them think, wow i never realized what my actions can do to others? what else? i mean, really, why is it that every famous actress seems to sexually exploit herself. can't we send them a message saying, what are you telling us and all young men and women if you bare your body for only it to be admired above all else that makes you you?

what can we do folks? lets do it. im in!

For those of you who claim (with some legitimacy I admit) that this action is that of the models and her free choice so deal with it, I'd just like to say, their actions do effect others. The first amendment is important and people have the right to advertise mostly as they chose. and yes this issue isnt going away for as long as i can see because the market is going to choose sex in the end.

BUT besides all this aknowledgement, i still feel the need to share my emotion about this add, and how it EFFECTS ME. So for those who believe "who cares, so what, and this is sexual empowerment..."

I am a 21 year old woman. I am a pretty darn conservative dresser. always have been. I have had wonderful relationships and I always used to believe, with the obvious exception of rape, women will to a degree be treated how they want and expect to be treated. But you know what, I walk down the street almost every day and get a "hey, baby." an "ow ow," hoots hollars this that and the other. and some days, I'm just like, "jeez im wearing a t-shirt and basketball shorts, what is the deal with our culture?" In fact, i feel oppressed by how much I have to almost overdress just to be less identified, not even unidentified, with the sexually objectified women ubiquitous everywhere. i once had a friend walking with another friend in front of a group of males and overheard them playing a little game where they asked eachother, "haha, hey man, which one do you want to rape?" I broke down and cried when I heard this. This is my reality.

this is our reality as a society. Yes, in my opinion, advertising like this perpetuates males looking at women as sex objects and all that that entails. yes, in my opinion this advertisment makes women look at themselves and question thier own dignity and wonder how to position themselves in society to be most valuable ie attractive (especially in their formative years). so, yes, this disturbs me. yes, im emotional about it. no, i don't know if it can be fixed but I'm so damn sick and tired of it sometimes I'm even willing to give it some kind of effort no matter how fruitless it may seem to at least let others out there know that there is part of our culture that does oppose this kind of degredation of women. That some of us don't think its ok. That young women aren't alone out there and at least part of our society will stand against this to at least, if nothing else, make others question "whats wrong with this? What are the effects of adds like this? and who is it effecting?"
Stephanie signed the petition | over 2 years ago

Tell Your Senator: Support Women and Girls in Afghanistan!
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Let Iran Know that the Global Community is Monitoring Their Every Move
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Take Action to Prevent Child Marriage
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Tell the Department of Labor to release its list of goods tainted by slave labor