There are many ways that people express themselves through various forms of art, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, music, film, theater, dance, literature, photography, fashion, and others. But perhaps no medium is more influential than mass media - television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies, social networks, blogs, etc. Mass media has an enormous impact on how society views itself, its values, beliefs, norms, and expectations. It is also where most of us get our information about what is considered beautiful, attractive, desirable, sexy, and acceptable.
Mass media tends to reflect mainstream society's preferences rather than present alternatives. This means that it promotes certain types of beauty and rejects others, often creating divisions between those who fit into this mold and those who don't.
Women are expected to be thin, young, tall, blond, and white; men must be strong, muscular, wealthy, and successful; LGBTQ+ individuals are presented as stereotypes or caricatures; disabled people are shown as pitiful or inspiring but not as fully human beings with their own sexual desires; older adults are invisible in advertising campaigns targeting youth. Mass media reinforces these ideas by showing them in the news, TV shows, films, commercials, and other popular culture products.
There is a growing trend towards radical self-expression in media that challenges these norms and presents alternative visions of beauty. One way this happens is through the use of underrepresented models and actors in advertising campaigns.
Dove launched the "Real Beauty" campaign featuring average-looking women from different backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, and body shapes. The campaign was praised for helping to break down traditional beauty standards and show that all bodies can be beautiful. In addition, social networks like Tumblr, Instagram, and YouTube allow users to post their own content without censorship or filtering by gatekeepers. This allows people to express themselves freely without fear of judgement or rejection from mainstream society. It also creates new opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and community building around shared interests such as fashion, art, music, and literature.
Radical self-expression in media can have positive effects on democratizing beauty because it provides more options for people who do not fit into conventional beauty standards. It encourages diversity, acceptance, and inclusion instead of conformity and exclusion. It opens up space for dialogue about what constitutes beauty beyond superficial physical attributes. It also makes room for personal expression, individualism, and authenticity rather than homogeneity and mass appeal.
It does not mean that everyone will agree with each other's opinions or preferences; some may still find certain types of expression disturbing or offensive. But if we want true democracy in our culture - where everyone has a voice and an equal chance at success - then we need diverse representations of humanity in all aspects of life, including beauty. By creating this openness and inclusivity, radical self-expression in media can help us move towards a more egalitarian world where everyone feels valued and respected regardless of appearance or background.
Can radical self-expression in media contribute to the democratization of beauty?
Radical self-expression in media can be seen as an attempt to empower individuals and challenge traditional beauty standards. It allows people who have been marginalized in society due to their physical appearance, race, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, etc. , to take control over how they are represented in public spaces. By creating their own narrative about what is beautiful and desirable, they can reclaim agency over their bodies and identities.