Uncategorized | Elated and Deflated

Women and fashion obsession

on November 13, 2012 by jgermano in Uncategorized, Comments (0)

The presidential election may be over, but it is still not too late to honor the women journalists who made a difference in the coverage of the 2012 campaign.

In September, C-SPAN introduced this video, in which women journalists analyze the 2012 election. The internet is full of posts such as this, ranking the best women journalists of the year.

Those on lists across the internet include:

Soledad O’Brien
Martha Raddatz
Candy Crowley
Carol Costello
Rachel Maddow

I am so happy that women journalists are getting the recognition they deserve for their coverage of the 2012 election, especially when women journalists are stilloutnumbered by men. However, reports like those published by More Magazine in October 2012 need to stop. The article featured seven prominent women journalists, and instead of focusing on their reporting, focused on their fashion choices. The article, entitled “Hail to the Sheath: Reporters Wear This Season’s Best Silhouette,” is continuing the trend of women in the media being known for their fashion choices instead of their reporting.

The seven newswomen on these pages are casting an eye on the candidates this election season. But scrutiny is a two-way street: even brilliant writers and reporters have to look good. Here, they wear fall’s best sheath dresses, pairing some style with their substance.

The problem is that these articles, focusing on fashion and looks of the reporters, are far more common than those featuring the actual work of women journalists. Women in the journalism field are too often plagued by talk of looks and fashion. How many reports are there about men journalists and fashion? Not many. Until the media shifts the focus from fashion to content, women will still be left behind in the journalism industry.

In the documentary Miss Representation, Katie Couric often felt self-conscious of what she was wearing. Ann Curry of NBC also felt that she was let go because producers didn’t like her fashion choices

Hometown love

on October 7, 2012 by jgermano in Uncategorized, Comments (1)

Hello blogging world! To whoever is reading this, thank you for your interest in my blog.

I decided to mark my entry into the world of blogging with a post about my hometowns. I’ve been feeling really homesick lately and I think this will make me feel better. Plus, my hometowns are really cool!

Notice that I wrote hometowns instead of hometown. Yep, that’s right, I was born in a hospital overlapping two towns. Or the real story is that I spent most of my childhood in Hampton, Virginia, but moved to live with my dad in Yorktown when i was fifteen. My mom still lives in Hampton and I spend time in both places. For that reason, I still consider both places my home.

But I haven’t been home since May! It’s not because I’m trying to avoid anyone or anything there (except maybe certain people from high school). I just have been trying to establish myself up here in Fairfax, Virginia, the home of the wonderful George Mason University, where I am a junior studying journalism. Isn’t being a grown-up hard?

Yep. That’s me getting my study on.

All spring, I searched for an internship up here in the D.C. metropolitan area, hoping to wet my feet and get some professional experience. All spring, I was unsuccessful. I stayed up here, working a variety of part-time jobs, still holding onto hope of a journalism internship. Spring turned into summer and summer turned into the school year. And I have yet to visit home.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into what was my life in southeastern Virginia.

1) Hampton, Virginia

To someone not from the area, Hampton may seem like nothing special, but as I grew up here, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve always liked walking along the waterfront, visiting Buckroe Beach, and spending time with my family at the Air and Space Museum.

1) Hampton, Virginia

To someone not from the area, Hampton may seem like nothing special, but as I grew up here, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve always liked walking along the waterfront, visiting Buckroe Beach, and spending time with my family at the Air and Space Museum.

This is one of my favorite spots in Hampton-the lighthouse at Buckroe Beach.

2) Yorktown, Virginia

If this name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you know something about American History and are aware that this is where the United States defeated Great Britain in 1781.

Unfortunately, I don’t live on a historic battlefield. That would have been pretty awesome. But I did live in a neighborhood that allowed me to go to a high school with an awesome marching band. That’s what my life in Yorktown often revolved around. My dorky super-cool experiences in the band.

Yorktown does have some really nice spots though. The battlefield is definitely worth visiting. It’s informative and there are a lot of historical houses nearby. Down the street is Yorktown Beach and Yorktown Victory Center, something history buffs will love.

Pretty, huh? This is the view at Yorktown beach, a favorite spot for many in the area.

Another favorite area of mine close to my hometown is Colonial Williamsburg. I’m obsessed with history, so I always love visiting Williamsburg and walking around. There are a lot of little shops and restaurants that are worth trying. Also, a candy store with chocolate covered candy covered apples. Need I say more?

As my tastes and interests have grown over the years, there’s a lot of things I want to explore in my hometowns as I mature. For instance, there’s the Chrysler Museum of Art in nearby Norfolk that I have always been interested in visiting. I thought last year when I visited home that I had seen and tried everything there is to try, and that my only hope was to continue searching in my current location of D.C., but I’m sure there are even more restaurants and beautiful places to see in my hometown.

Trevor playing baseball.

Hannah getting ready for a spelling bee.

I hope I’ve inspired you to reminisce on what you love about your hometown. What do you find yourself missing most as you grow older? I know what I miss: my golf-loving dad who is always up for talking about sports, politics, and math; my mom who just loves to relax at the beach and watch reality t.v.; my loving stepmom who geuinely cares about people; and my younger siblings, Alyssa, Hannah, and Trevor, who I hope know I care about them very much.

Until next time! Go read a book, take a walk, get informed, and live!

Janelle