We chose the music video "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz. The song was originally performed by a Canadian band called The Guess Who for their 1970 album American Woman. Lenny Kravitz then remade the song in 1999 for the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, which was later incorporated into his own album. Throughout the video, there is repetition of American symbols, such as the American flag, provocative dancing and attire worn only by women, and a concert-like atmosphere.
Do you think this is an accurate portrayal of the American woman in our society? How do you feel about the new image of the American woman compared to women in America's past, such as only 50 years ago? How is independence depicted within the video?
[post composed by Blog Group 3]
I think this is an accurate way of how the media and pop culture portray women. This new image of women is sad because fifty years ago women were seen as mothers, beginning to have careers, and taken more seriously in society. Nowadays, women are only seen as provocative images in society, and nothing more. The end of the video where the woman is provocatively dancing is especially a sign of this, because she is only being portayed as an object for a man, and not as an actual human being.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what Natalie said. This video shows how far the image of a woman has come. These used to be viewed as the housekeepers and cooks of the home, and now they are viewed as objects for men. The jump has been enormous in the past fifty years of the roles of women. Although there certainly are women out there who no longer live to cook and clean for men, they are not the type of woman shown in this video either. This video shows to the extreme what changes there have been. There are plenty of successful women out there who do not need a man's help, and they are not sex symbols like the women shown in this video. The women shown are not what I think of when I think of today's "American Woman".
ReplyDeleteTo answer the first question, I do not feel that this is an accurate portrayal of women in our society today. I however agree with Natalie and believe that the media and advertising are very degrading of women. The media also plays a huge role in why so many people think of women as sex sybols like Tate said. The whole view of "American Women" may have drastically changed since 50 years ago, but the change started way before that in the roaring 20's. It was in the 20's when women first stated dressing more informal, and were out much more. Another huge player in the changing of this view is Hugh Hefner. Hefner came along and got many to belive that what he was doing was ok, and changed the depiction of the "American Woman" for the worse.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't necessarily an accurate portrayal of women in America, when I think of American Women I tend to think of "free", "outgoing" "independent". The real core reason I really think of these terms when I hear this song on the radio is based on my own personal experiences with men and women in other cultures in Europe and the middle east. From the friends I have had and people I have dated I tend to think American Women are alot less reserved than those globally, they tend to think more for themselves and seldom ask permission from others to perform an act. So, in danger of being off topic perhaps, this video is totally off from reality, it is a nice tune to play along in light of the American Feminist movement.
ReplyDeleteDue to the fact that this is the first time I have viewed this video it really sort of changes how I feel the message was projected to the audience. Now instead of a head strong woman getting what she wants by her own drive and responsibility it looks more like just a sexual film with no strong supporting persona or merit.
I can see why some people, especial women are offended by this video as it appears to be depicting them in a negative way. However, when listening to the lyrics it does not appear that the intention is to degrade women at all. I think it is possible that the song has nothing to do with the image of a woman at all. Woman is more of a metaphor. Since this song is originally Canadian, I think it may be more of a critical piece in protest to the US. This becomes more clear with the lyric "I don't need your war machines."
ReplyDeletePersonally, I agree more with Nik -- the song seems less about the concept of a modern woman, but more about the implication that America is trying to pull people in by advertising sex and using it's 'sparkling lights' to hypnotize people into our way of life. The artist wants nothing to do with this implied American propaganda - suggesting that it only leads to 'war machines' and 'ghetto scenes'.
ReplyDeleteIn this version of "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz the original themes made by The Guess Who have been replaced by sex appeal it seems like. I really don't think this video has any sort of message, it seems superficial and appeals to the pop culture of today. The video try's to blend in an American theme by showing American flags and fireworks, but really the focus is on the scantly-clad women in bathing suits. I think this video really depicts how much women are letting themselves be used as sex icons. Women need to have more respect for themselves and not be continued to be portrayed in videos like this as so provocative and slutty.
ReplyDeleteI think that the video shows how the independence that women have is in full affect. 5o years ago women would be ashamed to act like this and now its almost a normality. Its a shame that the media makes women out to be this way as if we are a piece of meat and only here for men to watch us. However I do like the confidence that the women in the video portray. The look on the girls face biking is really good. I think everyday women aren't portrayed like this all the time, its only when the media gets involved when we get shown in this different light.
ReplyDeleteI understand how and why some women might be offended by this video, but honestly it is significantly less offensive (in my opinion) than the portrayal of women 50 years ago as nothing but housewives and homemakers. And it would be kind of counterintuitive as a music video director to insist on making a video focused on successful businesswomen making progress in the workplace. The purpose of music videos is to captivate the attention of the audience. The direction of this video seems to be basic sex appeal, which for a song as shallow as "American Woman" seems fairly appropriate. I agree that there are problems with the way that women are portrayed in pop culture, but I think Jordan is right in commenting on the confidence and power that the women show in the video.
ReplyDeleteIf you listen to they lyrics, it seems as if the artist views the "American Women" as a temptress of sort. It almost seems as if he views the "American Women" as irresistable, but wants nothing to do with them. The video does portray these women as sexual images, wearing provocative clothing, and dancing scandalously, but I do not think that the message is that all American women are of this type; but then again, sex sells.
ReplyDeleteI think this video has 2 sides to it and portrays 2 different views of women. To go off of the earlier comments all of the women provocatively dancing does dont portray the women now a days in my mind. However the girl driving in the car does. She seems like she feels she has power and is an independent women. The way she shows her power later in the video by dancing on top of a bus may not be accurate of todays women but the power is still there.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel this is the accurate portrayal of American women today. We always say in modern society, all people are created equal, So do the boys and girls. In the vedio, it only depicts the girls are so hot and dressed up which only wants to grab the attention of the guy. However, in modern society, woman also work in very important position and gained a good salary. They can dress up to attract men, but they do not have to do that. They are strong enough to do what they want. The equality showed when women are also very successful in carrer and have a equal relationship with males. However, 50 years before, women has been regarded as the weak group which can only stay in home. The independence showed in this vedio is that girls can dress what they want instead of suiting men's taste.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely not an accurate portrayal of what all the American women are like in the United States but it does somewhat portray the type of freedom that they have here. I think that the sort of party atmosphere that is demonstrated throughout the video does symbolize the type of free spirited allure that the U.S has. I agree with what the majorty of everyone has said, this definitely shows the evolution of what American woman have become. The provocative dancing and free spirited nature does illustrate the freedom woman have now.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an accurate portrayal of the "Ideal" American woman in our society. Women in video ahave good appearance and very attractive. I feel about the new image of the American woman not very much different yet compared to women in America's past, 50 years ago. Independence is rarely depicted within the video, as well. Provocative dancing looks like representing very dependent gender role of women.
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