www.whyville.net Jan 16, 2008 Weekly Issue



holiday50
Times Writer

Manipulated by the Media: The Root of the Joke

Users' Rating
Rate this article
 
FRONT PAGE
CREATIVE WRITING
SCIENCE
HOT TOPICS
POLITICS
HEALTH
PANDEMIC

Have you ever heard of the phrase "Dumb Blonde?" How about "Boring Brunette" or "Rude Redhead?" We've all heard jokes that discriminate against hair color and sure, they're hilarious to laugh at. But what about when your own hair color is targeted in these rude jokes? Personally, I don't pay much attention to these jokes because they're untrue and they categorize people. But the media sure does and they portray these phrases as if they're true. It's not just tabloids, but it's respectable TV shows that don't show integrity in discriminating against hair color.

Blondes are painted as rich, ignorant, partying socialites lacking intelligence. "Dumb blonde" is a largely overused cliche that targets blondes in the wrong way. In the media, it's the bonehead blondes that make the headlines. Every week, a story is being written up about Paris Hilton's partying ways or which part of her body hasn't undergone plastic surgery. TV shows also makes sure their less intelligent characters are blonde. In Disney's "Cory in the House", Newton Livingston (Jason Dolley) is a dumb blonde. Though she has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychobiology, Lisa Kudrow portrayed a dumb blonde in the sitcom "Friends". Also, in the 2004 movie Mean Girls, blondes Karen (Amanda Seyfried) and Regina (Rachel McAdams) focus more on being mean and keeping up their appearance than hitting the textbooks.

Q: Why did the blonde tip-toe past the medicine cabinet?
A: So she wouldn't wake the sleeping pills!

Brunettes have always been the refreshing break from the 'dumb blondes' because they're known to be intelligent. But who knew that intelligence would go against brunettes? Now there's jokes about brunettes being addicted to school and learning. Readheads are made out to be rude, uptight, controlling women. As seen on the show ABC's Desperate Housewives, Bree Van De Camp (Marcia Cross) and Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delano) are unforgiving, pushy and strict.

Q: What's the Redhead Dating Motto?
A: The fastest way to a man's heart is through his ribcage.

Q: How do you get a redhead's mood to change?
A: Wait 10 seconds.

Q: If you ask a brunette to go out with you, how long do you have to wait for her reply?
A: However long it takes the brunette to mathematically analyze her calendar.

If your hair is neon colored you're either taking drugs, or you're in a rebel gang. If you have black hair which you weren't born with, you're obviously emo, goth or you believe in the dark arts. In the Canadian TV show "Dark Oracle" Vern (David Rendall) is a comic book geek who believes in dark magic. He's also heavy on the makeup as his character wears black eyeliner, pale bronzer and lipstick.

We know these rude jokes aren't true, so why does the media make the jokes seem like rules? Maybe it's because these jokes are so common the audience is beginning to believe them. Think about this for a minute: What if a TV character was a 'dumb brunette'? Or if a preppy blonde actress played a goth? Would you feel these characters are believable? We know not all blondes are stupid, not all redheads are mean, and not all brunettes are brainy. So why would we prefer to see dull blondes, scolding redheads, and wise brunettes?

holiday50

 

Did you like this article?
1 Star = Bleh.5 Stars = Props!
Rate it!
Ymail this article to a friend.
Discuss this article in the Forums.

  Back to front page


times@whyville.net
8132