So like many of you I'm sure, my favorite part of yesterday's BBC tour was hearing all of the celebrity diva stories, and just how removed from reality these people seem to be. But it was hugely disappointing to me that the person whom the whole of BBC hates is an American artist. (Seriously, J. Lo? Shipping over your white couches?)
It was intimidating enough that our tour guides kept firing out questions of how we do things in America and how much we know about the BBC, but to find out that someone like Jennifer Lopez is representing America like that is so frustrating. I get this sense that people around the world already think of Americans as spoiled and arrogant. All celebrities do by acting like that is reinforce the stereotype.
Being in a sorority and also working for a non-profit organization in Athens (Nuci's Space- check it out. It's awesome.), I have learned a lot about representation. When I wear my sorority letters or a Nuci's Space T-shirt, people are looking at me not only as Beth Johnson, but as representation of the organizations I am part of. The same goes for wearing something UGA related here in England. When we wear our t-shirts or hoodies, we are looked at as UGA students, or as Americans. I have always been really conscious of my behavior when I know that I am being judged as part of a whole. It frustrates me when Jenny From The Block messes things up for others just by being a complete diva. And did you notice that the people she noted as being pleasant to work with- Elton John, Paul McCartney- are British celebs?
As for us representing America yesterday, I think we did a pretty good job. But who knows? Maybe Roz will be telling today's tour group- oh, those UGA students...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I totally agree that we did a very good job representing America at the BBC. I also noticed how the tour guide kept throwing out questions about our news channels, like "Is your news anchor a real journalist?" I'm so glad that Dr. A had an answer to all of her questions. That sort of intimidated me. But it was an awesome tour, and it was really interesting to hear how how all of their well behaved guests had been British celebs like Elton John and Paul McCartney. I guess we're all partial to our own country.
ReplyDeleteWe really are judged by representation...just like some of the people at the BBC may have been judging us because of the way J.Lo acted. I certainly hope not, because all Americans are not spoiled and crazy like that.
But we certainly did a great job representing UGA and I think that we have done a great job representing here at Oxford too!
I was a little taken aback by the way the BBC viewed America. I was shocked when they kept asking Dr. A if we were using actors for news broadcasts and weather reports. I mean, really? I always thought we, as Americans, were leading on every fore front possible. Obviously I'm wrong. I mean we aren't even the freest country according to reporters without borders. I feel like I have been very disallusioned as to how other people view us and where we actually stand. It is disappointing that an AMERICAN ARTIST would portray our society so poorly, especially when she should know that it WILL be gossiped about. Apparently J. Lo must just be really dumb....I mean why else would someone have their couches shipped over? I am boycotting her music and track suit line featured at Macy's from now on.
ReplyDelete