Blog Entry 3---Draft 3

Lately, while exploring the role media plays in exploiting women, I've come into question how great the impact 'exploitation' actually plays into the lives of the subject---women celebrities. It's easy to ignore slander or being ridiculed and criticized in tabloid magazines; but what happens once things become too 'aggressive'? Can media exploitation be 'controlled' or brought to minimun exposure? When is enough, enough?

Recently, March 22, 2012, reality tv-star, Kim Kardashian was 'flour-bombed' (attack) during the red-carpet release of her new fragrance. According to ABC news, her attacker called her a "fur-hag"; ultimately blaming the attack on the fact that Kim Kardashian wears fur. In commenting on the incident, Kim released a statement saying: "We don't sell fur in our clothing, or in our clothing lines. What I choose to do in my personal time is my personal choice, and that's that."Although the 'flour-bomber' was identified as a woman who 'slipped past security', I can't help but to question the media's involvement in this 'provoked' attack---had they not played such an intricate role in the exploiting and exposing of Kim Kardashian's private affairs, maybe this could have been prevented. When will 'enough' be 'enough'?

Renowned superstar, Lady Gaga, seems to think there's an 'art' to this thing called 'fame'. One of her greatest artworks entitled, The Art of Fame, suggests that there is a way in-fact [women] celebrities can 'control' media exploitation (60 minutes). During her interview with Anderson Cooper, Lady Gaga explains, "As a part of my mastering The Art of Fame, part of that is getting people to pay attention to what you want them to and not pay attention to things you don't want them to pay attention to. The 'sociology' of fame and how to maintain a certain privacy without feeling like your withholding anything from your fans. My philosophy is that, if I am open with them about everything and yet I art-direct every moment of my life, I can maintain a sort of privacy---in a way, I maintain a certain soulfulness that I have yet to give."

From personal experience, I do agree with Lady Gaga with the 'sociology' or art-directing of certain aspects of your life---getting people to pay attention to the things that you want them to, while keeping that of sacredness, sacred. Art-directing aspects of your life, resonates with me in being the 'authenticity' of oneself---as a woman this can come in the form of wardrobe, attitude, relationship(s) etc. It's important first, that as a woman, regardless of exploitation or criticism that we remain true to ourselves---we must feel comfortable with all aspects of our lives regardless of what kind of exposure might come of it. As a woman, when we 'art-direct' or remain true to our authenticity, regardless of stigmas, restrictions and expectations---that are not our own---we may not necessarily be able to control or censor 'exploitation' but we can positively embrace the attention it brings; and continue in leading our lives exactly the way we'd like.