the underlying myths that bind us

1. "when we read children's books, we arent just reading cute little stories, we are discovering the tools with which a young society is manipulated".

- In my opinion, when i first read this quote within the underlying the myths that bind us passage , i thought to myself that this couldnt possibly to be true. i remember as a child growing up reading childrens books like dr. seuss, snow white, and cinderella I can recall that i too, only thought of these books as books that were read to me or other young kids to entertain  them and something interesting or funny to read.  This quote is saying that the innocent childrens books arent really all that "innocent". These children books are actually secretly depicting and manipulatng the young society that opens their colorful pages. They are secretly educating children stereotypes through hidden messages and imags. I used to think that childrens books like cinderella and snow white or little red riding hood was just creating youngsters imagination, but i never really sat there and analyzed what was really going into their imaginations ; until i read this quote and the rest of this article.

2. Happiness means getting a man, and transformation from wretched conditions can be achieved throgh consumption - in their case, through new clothes and a new hairstyle"

- This quote is saying that in the two cinderella's - Cindy Ellie & Cinderella,  they both compete for men agaisnt their sisters and the rest of the single women in their citiies. they "win" because of their beauty and their fashionable attire leaving women and young children with the two myths above.  The author doesnt want her students to after reading this to think that all they have to do is buy something at the mall to have complete happiness or that they will have a real happily ever after , after saying the two most intimate words created ; "i do".  she also doesnt want her students to view their sisters as competition. Unfortunately , I know of sisters who dont get along and they constantly feel like they have to "one up" their sister. this is also depicted in tv shows on the disney channel or abc family.  I think its pretty sad that young women grow up absentmindly letting these myths influence their well-being, as i believe that a sister, younger or older should  be someone you appreciate and are equal to.  and as for the "winning men because of their beauty and fashionability" I think is also absurd, this is also putting men at a low standard as people will start thinking ALL men are like that. that they only care about a womens beauty and fashion  sense.

3. "The belief, that a product will make us rise above our consumption, our friends turns us into addicts. our fix is that calvin klein push bra, guess jeans, chanel lipstick, and the latest in suede flats. we dont call it  deception, we call it good tase. and soon it feels akward going to the mailbox without makeup."

- This quote means that all of these materialistic objects have become like a neccessity in our worlds everyday lives. if you ask me , its absurd that it has come to this! now that i think of it, everywhere i look, magazines, tv shows, movies, professional actresses, and actors, books, music, comedians , everybody has fed into our obsessive attitude towards makeup, clothes, shoes, music, bras, movies, tv shows, etc. weve let these things define who we are as individuals. when it should be that none of these objects define us, we are much bigger than all of this combined . Im guilty it. i'll admit it. I shop at hollister and victoria secret. I want that new phone called the blackberry torch. I dont know if i would go as far as saying i cant go to a mailbox without makeup on. I put makeup on before class, but there are days i am either not feeling well,i am too lazy or i just forget to put make up on. I can leave my house to the grocery store without makeup or to the mailbox. however there are people in this world who have let these materialistic things define and feed into themselves so much that living without them is something they couldnt bear. then you have interent and websites like facebook, twitter, youtube , and myspace that consume our lives. Same i am guilty of facebook as anyone else is . but the difference is that people need to realize that instead of posting what you're doing why dont you spend that time actually doing and enjoying it? I recently went on a trip to st. louis , missouri and one of the poets that performed he said a quote that i completely agree with and left me thinking. it might just leave you thinnking as well he said :" DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY CALL IT MAKEUP? . BECAUSE TOO MUCH OF IT MAKES YOU MAKE UP LIES ABOUT WHO YOU REALLY ARE. "

I think this article really hit many great points. the points make you think and analyze everything youve been exposed to growing up and what kind of impact it has actually had on you.