Class Task #5 Born Into Brothels

1) How did you enjoy the film? What stood out for you?
I enjoyed every part of this movie. It was blunt and honest. It the harsh reality that many people are blind to. The thing that stood out to me was firstly, Puja’s confidence and bravery. She had no desire to listen to other people and clearly lived her life as she pleased. She took advantage of opportunities given to her. Secondly, i love the fact that not only were girls targeted, but also boys were given the chance at a better life. Just because it’s the girls that become the prostitutes, it doesn’t mean that the boys aren’t effected. I love how she helped both and not just one gender.

2) Did you learn anything new about photography, life, people? What?
I’ve learned that at times the most simplest of pictures carry the most meaning. And also, that there will always be people everywhere simply spending their lives just hoping for one of the many chances I get everyday. Life is full opportunities. I’m sure many people have heard that line before, but it carries a different meaning for me. Life is full of opportunities that are laid out for us. It is up to us to reach our for them and to use it wisely. Once one opportunity is wasted… they’ll eventually stop coming.

3) How do you think the world needs to change? How important is this?
The world needs to change in soooooooo many different ways… If only it was actually possible. The world needs to change the way women are treated. They need to change the way children are treated. And of coarse I’m sure men are treated unfairly as well. It is very important. But then again, there would be no good if there was no evil…right? Yes, it is important to change. But I don’t expect the world to change and become perfect. I’ll do my part, and hopefully, the rest will do theirs too.

4) What are you willing to do TODAY to be a part of that change?
I am willing to do anything is one can guarantee me that prostitution, child slavery, and abuse will be stopped everywhere for everyone. I think I’m pretty much already apart of that change. By standing up for myself, and for others and simply educating others I believe i can change the world, one person at a time.

5) Do you know a good song/rap/poem with good lyrics about change in the world? Post a link or lyrics to share it with us.
I know of a few song lyrics that I find interesting and helpful. They’re not specifically about changing the world, but that show the “Stupid Girls” of our society. And the other tells one to simply listen to “The Voice Within” and block out all judgments and criticism that people throw at you.

Here are pieces of lyrics that are most powerful to me. The lyrics have a different way of explaining the society but mean just the same thing. Girls can be stupid.
PINK – Stupid Girls

[Stupid girl, stupid girls, stupid girls
Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back]

[What happened to the dreams of a girl president
She's dancing in the video next to 50 Cent]

[I don't wanna be a stupid girl
Baby if I act like that, flipping my blond hair back
Push up my bra like that, I don't wanna be a stupid girl]

[I'm so glad that I'll never fit in
That will never be me
Outcasts and girls with ambition
That's what I wanna see]

These lyrics are powerful to me because they are blunt and honest. They don’t try to cover up the real with the fake, but show in black and white how stupid girls can be. “Push up my bra like that” ? It’s sad, and I’m ashamed to say it’s true. This is what many women think about… having that one man “call them back”… being skinny… and making millions of attempts to look like a plastic doll and labeling themselves as “beautiful”. Reality check… you’re ugly and fake.

Here are some more lyrics that really have value. They have a deeper meaning and show the importance of the inside rather than the outside.
Christina Aguilera – The Voice Within

[When there’s no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way
You’ll learn to begin to trust the voice within Young girl don’t hide
You’ll never change if you just run away
Young girl just hold tight]

[It’s so hard to stand your ground when you’re so afraid
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
When you look outside look inside to your soul]

[No one can tell you what you can’t do
No one can stop you, you know that I’m talking to you...
Young girl don’t cry I’ll be right here when your world starts to fall]

This song is important to me because it give insight to something that many people are oblivious to. No matter how hard the world is on the out side… no matter how hard it is to go on and no matter how impossible it is live, looking within can change that. These simple words, have changed someone’s life. These simple lyrics, have given someone in the world the confidence to say “NO.” They gave someone the courage to leave a place of destruction and find a better place. These words, has opened someone’s eyes to see that they DO have a chance, they DO have a right, and they DO have the choice. All they have to do, is listen to “The Voice Within.”

6) Pick a non-profit organization that is important to you. Why is this important to you? Do they have a website?
I would have to say, Free The Children. It is important to me for various reasons. One, it was invented by someone who was younger than me (at the time) and decided to start something for other children and not himself. Secondly, it has become a world wide organization that provides for children everywhere. Their website is www.freethechildren.com

7) What ideas do you have for media arts projects that we could do individually or as a class to help contribute to these organizations that are important to us?
We could write a short story from a child’s perspective.It could be the trouble that they go through day-to-day. Or what the organization has done for them. Just a short paragraph and with that a designed page to collaborate the ideas from the paragraph with pictures and symbols.