More than what meets the eye

More than 40 students gathered last Monday to celebrate Women’s History Month with a “Taco ‘bout it” discussion panel about women’s portrayal in the media, Kylie Jenner’s billionaire status and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Speakers of the event held in Salon Cassia on the Brownsville campus were Celeste De Luna, an art lecturer, Amie Bostic, a sociology and anthropology assistant professor, and Diana Noreen Rivera, a literatures and cultural studies assistant professor.

“It is interesting because people really attribute a woman’s credibility to things about how she looks and it can go either way,” De Luna said regarding women in the media. “Oh, she is too pretty, so she is not smart enough or she is fat and ugly, so, she is obviously not credible enough. It is just the way we are socialized.”

The event was decorated with colorful flowers on each table and on the sides, photos of the exhibit “Latinas of Hope” were displayed.

“We always have to be aware about who is in charge of the news syndicate,” Rivera said. “What are their ideas and ideologies, left wing, right wing, conservative? Fox [News] tends to really demonize [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] hard core, versus the other news outlets that are more concerned with her policies.

“Someone who is really interested in the representation of women’s identities in the media should notice this, just looking at the facts. Forget politics and policies and [your] own views.”

During the panel, students raised their concerns on the objectification of women’s bodies and the steps they have to take to become successful.

“You have to be really careful,” Rivera said. “Kylie Jenner has the money to hire all these coaches and personal trainers to bounce back after having her little hija. And to what point is her beauty defined by a man? She got her breasts implants for a reason.”

Bostic asked attendees how many of them have bought Kylie Jenner’s makeup. More than 15 people raised their hand.

“Those lip kits are legit,” she said. “They are really good, and that’s the point that I wanna make. Her products are good, they stand alone. So, why does she have to [take sexy selfies on Instagram]?”

De Luna said women should be themselves and dress however they want to dress.

“Women should just be themselves,” she said. “I know women who are smart, beautiful, wear revealing clothing and they have degrees.”

Asked about the upcoming elections and if she thinks the United States will have a woman president, Rivera replied she does not feel “very optimistic,” but encouraged students to participate to see change.

“Be active voters,” Rivera said. “Put someone in the position where they can speak for you and your reforms that you want to see take place.”