Blog #3

Justin Alcaide

WMST 205

12/3/18

Blog #3

For my blog #3 I chose the artifact of beer, specifically Pacifico Clara Cerveza. I chose this artifact because growing up I would always see beer as a “man’s” drink. Specifically, Pacifico Clara because it was often the drink of choice of the men of my family. I believe I came to this conclusion because when my family would throw parties, I would always see the men drinking ice cold beer. Meanwhile the women would often not drink or drink “girly” drinks as in Mikes Hard Lemonade or mixed drinks. The men would also tease another man if he did not want to drink a beer or if he got drunk too quick. Being Mexican it is in our tradition to drink a lot so when a man does not drink enough that is socially acceptable, he gets named a “pussy”. My past experiences at my family parties lead me to drink that if one drinks a beer, he is a “man”.

The artifact helped shape who I am because in social gatherings I would always remember of the males of my family drinking beer. The artifact has brought to me having the mindset that in a social setting, men drink beer while females drink a beverage of bright color. When consuming this artifact many feel power because consuming this makes them more of a man.

When looking back at this cultural artifact with my critical vigilant lens I realized that drinking beer does not make you anymore of a man or any less of a man. It is just a beverage that can be enjoyed by anyone.    

I brought these experiences with me to college as when I began drinking among friends our choice of beverage would be beer because of our upbringing. This is an artifact that does not get talked about often but it is engraved into the Mexican and other cultures.   

Blog #2

Justin Alcaide

WMST 205

10/28/18

Blog #2

Prompt #1

For my cultural artifact I chose the music video to the song “Radicamos en South Central” by Fuerza Regida. The song Radicamos en South Central is a Spanish folk song or otherwise known as a “corrido”. The title of the song translates to we take root in South Central. South Central being a city with a lot of history in Los Angeles, CA. “Radicamos en South Central” is about being in the drug business, starting from the bottom, driving nice cars, having lots of women, and drinking expensive alcohol. The song reminds me of any recent hip-hop/ rap songs but in this case the song is in Spanish. I chose this cultural artifact because it is great example of gender representation, typical women roles and it has a catchy rhythm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uzUPVN0ZPk

Prompt #2

The creator of the music video was Rancho Humilde, the company that manages the music group Fuerza Regida. The intended receiver is young men and women who like the genre of corridos. The music video exists in the social world of corrido fans specifically here in Southern California since the song is based out of Los Angeles.

The creator of the message for the music video was primarily the author of the song and lead singer Jesus Ortiz but also the music video producer/director because they created the visual representation. Jesus Ortiz of course wrote the lyrics that expressed the message of the song verbally. The director chose which shots to take to represent the verses to the folk songs. The director specifically chose the angles and visuals to use.

The music video has lots of props to grab the attention of the Mexican folk genre fan. For example, beautiful women are used in the video and camera angles are pointed towards their sexual body parts. The clothing that the women wear in the music video are revealing and very much sexualized to attract attention of the viewer. The women are seen to just be hanging around the group members and partying with the members.

Other people might view the music video as promoting the narco (drug dealer) lifestyle. They might see the song as a bad representation of women because it promotes the women stereotype that they are just props.

The lifestyle that is promoted in the music video Radicamos en South Central is that of a successful drug dealer or businessman that has lots of beautiful women around, luxurious cars, and money to spend. The overall message that is being sent is that the definition of a successful man is attracting gorgeous women with money, drugs and alcohol.

I believe music videos like this one are being portrayed the way they are is because the music production team knows that sex sells. Sexualizing women in music videos is nothing new and it obviously seen in this music video.  

Blog #1

Justin Alcaide

WMST 205

9/22/2018

Blog #1

Prompt 1

The cultural artifact that I choose for my blog post is a picture of the most interesting man in the world in a dos equis beer advertisement. In the photo it is obvious that dos equis is promoting their different beers, the green (lager) and brown (amber) bottles. Although in the picture the beers are just on the table, it is what’s around the beers that is sending the message. The world’s most interesting man, who is perceived as masculine and successful since he’s wearing a suit and is surrounded by two beautiful women. The advertisement is sending the message that if you drink dos equis beer you too will be like the world’s most interesting man.

Prompt 2

My cultural artifact states which gender is the center of attention which in this case is the man. He is presented as the dominate man in the photo. His nice suit and beard are definite signs of masculinity. Wearing a suit, a lot of times symbolize success so being a successful older gentleman clearly defines he is the masculine in the photo. The women in the photo are represented as “eye candy”. They are eye candy because of their beautiful looks, nice dresses, and expensive jewelry they have on. By the looks of the photo, the women are hanging on to his every word. They are so attracted and into the man which reinforces the idea that women are just around to please the man. Another way it reinforces the traditional ideas of femininity is their posture. Both of the women are tilted towards the man as he is the point of reference.

Prompt 3

I feel this specific requirement of gender in pop culture has impacted me in my own gender identity. It has impacted me because it has reinforced the idea that drinking beer and having beautiful women around is “manly”. It makes you seem this way to the outside world, in my case my friends and family members. The advertisement presents the image that a good-looking man drinking beer gets girls attracted to him.

Prompt 4

The cultural artifact that I choose is an advertisement photo of dos equis. The social world that the dos equis advertisement exists and acts in is for beer drinkers around the world specifically in the United States. The creators/ producers of the advertisement are the dos equis brand and their marketing team. The intended audience/ receivers are straight men who like to drink beer.