Art Dissent- Nike Victim
The picture that I chose was the "Nike Victim." I think the photographer of this photo was inspired by the extreme lengths that people would go to look fashionable. The picture is of a person with the very recognizable Nike check carved into his face. This is meant to symbolize the sacrifices people will endure to wear designer labels. It is, however, an exaggeration of them. People most likely would not so far as to branding themselves, but it could possibly be under the list of extremes. The person in the photo has become obsessed with the label Nike has taken extreme lengths to express that. People that would agree with the photo would be those who do not have the money to afford designer labels. Designer labels would not appreciate the picture, however because of the bad image that it gives them. The main message of this picture was too show how infatuated people are becoming with designer labels and the levels of sacrifice people are going to in order to own them. People are practically branding themselves for their want of material items. I think the photographer's point of view was against making sacrifices for material items. You can tell by the way that he portrays the person in the photo, he makes him look very victimized. I do not think this picture is very persuasive because of the amount of exaggeration used. Very rarely do you see people with designer labels carved into their skin so it's not something people can make a connection to.
Should Schools Have a Vocational Track?
I do think schools should have a vocational track. With having a vocational track, it gives all students a better chance at being successful in the business world. College is not for everyone, and most high schools only give you the option of preparing for college. Some people would rather practice in a field of trade such as cometology or plumbing. There's no more English or Math classes that could help then with persuing those careers, but practicing at it or teaching them how to get a job. I think that a vocational track is equivalent to comprehensive high schools just in dififerent ways. Comprehensive high schools are showing students how to excell in a college setting and getting them further education where the vocational track focuses on helping students get jobs right after high school. With the growing number of high school students becoming parents at a young age the vocational track would benefit them and help them start their careers faster. So I think the vocational track schools would be a inherently better choice for the options that they provide.
Should Handguns Be Illegal?
Handguns should not be illegal. They should, however, be more strict about owning one. Right now the only thing you have to do to gain access to a gun is prove that you reside in that state and that you do not have a criminal record. Even if they do not previously have a criminal record, it does not mean that they don't have intentions on creating one with the gun that they are purchasing. There's the popular saying, "If guns were made illegal only criminals would own them." That saying is very true, but would that help us or hurt us? With only the criminals having guns that would leave the rest of society helpless with no means of protecting themselves. I think the best way to control guns would be to make people who wish to purchase a handgun go through multiple screenings to make sure that one is physically and mentally stable to own one. As of now almost anyone can own a gun, which means almost anyone has the chance to commit a horrible crime with one. So I believe that the harder it is to obtain a gun, the less problems we will have with them.
If You Were a Parent, Would You Buy a Doll That Misrepresented Your Values?
I believe that Mattel, the creators of Barbie, were just trying to create a beautiful doll. I don't think their intentions were to influence anyone to undergo surgery make themselves look more like the doll. If I were a parent I would allow my child to play with the Barbie. Parents have to teach their children to differentiate between fantasy and reality. If you help your children realize that not all toys they play with are meant to come to life they will know that they should not compare themselves to look like their toys. I think that Barbie is representing beautiful women. Parents however, should let their children know that the way Barbie l;ooks is not the only form of beauty. You must teach your children to love themselves and not to let other things discourage them from doing anything. Your role as a parent should be much more important than any doll in their lives. Barbie does not misrepresent any values, if anything she may encourage better values and teach young girls to take care of themselves.