Gazing...

        I agree that "the social presence of a woman is different in kind from that of a man".(Berger, pg.45) The male gaze is the way a man sees, watches and views a woman and therefor woman must exude how she wants to be viewed. The male gaze absorbs what we wear, how we stand, how we talk and walk. It is an overall observation of the female."Men look at woman" (Berger, pg.47) The gaze for example, will help a man decide his approach to the female in his gaze and his opening line of discussion with her. The gaze turns a female into an object of desire, and object to be studied by the male eye. At the same time the gaze also forces the female to view herself as an object as well. "-and most particularly an object of of vision: a sight."(Berger, pg.47)
     The gaze is a pervasive form of vision in popular culture because it has never died out. It was never just a fad, faze or stage in history. Till this very day the male gaze is capable of spreading widely through out popular culture because no matter where your from, what language you speak, or of your religious and or political beliefs, your still one of two things; a man or a woman. Before any other stipulation separates one from another the sex of an individual does.
    The way the media markets its products has much to do with the male gaze. It determines what direction they want to go in, even for female products. The model, her wardrobe, her behavior and or positioning in the ad one or commercial all appeals to the male gaze. Since he is the actor, the aggressor the media wants to appeal to his desires and his pockets. The woman always appears to be perfect and radiant whether the ad is for beer, make up, shampoo, cigarettes, furniture or cars and to feel that sense if power the men buy. Advertisement owes a lot to the male gaze.
    The oppositional gaze is a defiant, rebellious desire to stare back. The oppositional gaze implies that one is superior to the other. The oppositional gaze helps an oppressed one take back some control from his dominator. For example, a child staring right into the eye of a mother while being scorned is a defiant gesture.The child is seen as trying to have control over the situation. The gaze asserts a sense of power. According to Hooks, the oppositional gaze developed as a reaction to times of slavery. From being punished and some killed for looking the white man in the eye. To know our place we were forced to be little our selves by looking down when speaking. Thats why the oppositional gaze comes from one  wanting to show resistance.
    I have through these readings have become aware of my place int the world of "the male gaze". The media along with the readings has opened my eyes to the fact that I am viewed as an object. Yet, deep down I am already aware. It has made me aware that I do leave my house as the object I want to be seen as and are constantly evaluating my presence. Will I do it less now that I'm aware? That answer I do not know at the moment. Woman do do want to be admired for there looks and or beauty but the media must understand that thats not all we want to be admired for. There is much that lies beneath how we appear to the male eye. I can definitely identify with the oppositional gaze. I realized that I contain the oppositional gaze but not in the sense of being defiant but in the sense of commanding attention and respect.