Myth of the Terrorist

George W. Bush uses the myth of the terrorist being all from al-Qaeda terrorist group to evoke the myth of the “strong and unified” United States of America. When defining the myth of the al-Qaeda terrorist one can see the use of the stereotype of the Middle Eastern hyper masculine man.  

Our past president George W. Bush addressed the nation on September 20, 2001. This state of the Union was in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks that happened nine days before. George W. Bush opens by saying, “We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground—passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight. We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We’ve seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles the giving of blood, the saying of prayers—in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union—and it is strong” (1). He is simply saying as Americans this country has gone through extraordinary loss, but as a nation we stayed strong and are fixing the problem caused by the recent terrorist event.

Throughout history the United States of America has been known as a supreme super power, which “cannot be touched”.  Before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks this stereotype held through. Through hyper masculinity one can describe the myth of the “strong and unified” United States. Aaron Devor wrote Gender Roles Behaviors and Attitudes this novel uses the classic cues of masculinity-aggressive posture, self-confidence, a tough appearance-and the traditional signs of femininity-gentleness, passivity, strong nurturing instinct-are often considered “normal,” Devor explains that they are by no means biological or psychological necessities” (567). Masculinity is defined according to Devor as being dominant, tough, and taking up a lot of space. Correlating this with George Bush’s definition of the American people during this crisis; American’s are courageous, strong, and fixing the problems that the terrorists’ left for us immediately after the fact. George W. Bush states “Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done…All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see Republicans and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol, singing “God Bless America.” And you did more than sing; you acted by delivering forty billion dollars to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of our military” (1). This quote stated by George W. Bush’s during his state of the Union speech shows how the myth of the “strong and unified” American people use hyper masculinity to assure that this myth holds true.

   The myth of the al-Qaeda terrorist is created from the myth of the “strong and unified” United States of America. As a product of the terrorist attacks that happened on 9/11, the American people have changed the face of the terrorist to a Middle Eastern hyper masculine radical. When searching for the definition of a terrorist this is what comes up; “Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).” However, the United States and our allies have turned the definition of the terrorist to people that “practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics, a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teaching of Islam. The terrorist’s directive commands them to kill Christians and Jew, to kill all Americans, and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children” (George W. Bush 2). As you listen to the speech further George W. Bush continues on to say that the terrorists live among the Middle Eastern countries.

            The definition of the terrorist that George W. Bush explains is in fact about a specific terrorist group known as the al-Qaeda. However, this definition of a terrorist has derived the myth that all terrorists are from the Middle East when that is absolutely not true. “Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what they see right here in this chamber democratically elected government. They hate our freedom to vote and assembler and disagree with each other. They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries” (George W. Bush 3). Americans have grouped together all terrorists and innocent Middle Eastern people together to create the myth that every Middle Eastern person is a terrorist from the al-Qaeda radical group There has been terrorism throughout all of history from many different countries, and races. This can be shown with in any American airport, going to the Middle East, already been to the Middle East, or are Middle Eastern creates delays. Security and regular civilians tense up once seeing a Middle Eastern person board a plane. However one must remember that not Middle Eastern is a terrorist and any person of any race could potentially be a terrorist. Unfortunately, the stereotype of the terrorists being from the al-Qaeda radical group is to strong. Through hyper masculinity the al-Qaeda “no fear and no sympathy” terrorists cast fear and tension throughout the United States today.  

"Carry Out"

Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s “Carry Out” music video constructs the myth of the playa. Through the jux position of the working class and aristocracy one can see the construction of hyper sexual masculinity and feminization of women. Within the lyrics and music video, Justin and Timberland continuously use the metaphor of the fast food industry and how they "service" an individual to evoke hyper masculinity and the feminization of women.

Watching Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s “Carry Out” video a person can visually see hyper masculinity play out throughout the music video. In the very beginning of the “Carry Out” music video the first scene a person will see is Justin Timberlake and Timberland in a car. This not a minivan or a PT Cruiser it is a Pontiac Firebird. This car is a muscle car, one that a very masculine man would drive.  Throughout the music video Justin Timberlake and Timberland are the center of focus, and always dominating the scenes they are in. This is a classic characteristic of masculinity. Masculinity can be described as someone being very dominant with in a conversation and through actions, also taking up a lot of space. Towards the end of the music video Timberland and one of the dancers are in a scene together. Timberland is behind the dancer putting Dr. Dre Beat’s headphones on her head. The way Timberland puts the headphones on is significant to visual hyper masculinity, because Timberland puts the head phones on in a very sneaky and sexual way. This power gender dynamic shows how aggressive behavior constructs hyper masculinity.

Not only can one see the message of hyper masculinity visually, but looking at the lyrics of the song connects hyper masculinity to the myth of the playa as well. “Have it your, way, foreplay before I feed your appetite”, ‘Take my order cause your body like a Carry out”, “Baby get my order right, no errors”, and “Let me walk into your body until you hear me out” are all examples of hyper masculinity. These lyrics give a notion to the myth of the playa, because they hint towards prostitution. Through these lyrics it is almost as if Justin Timberlake and Timberland are the pimps of the women/dancers/maids/waitresses. Through the characterization of masculinity dominance is a key part. Within these lyrics Justin Timberlake and Timberland seem to never give the women they are ordering around any choice in the matter, as if they control them. These lyrics in the end help construct the myth of the playa by using hyper masculinization.

Visually the women within the “Carry Out” music video by Justin Timberlake and Timberland are feminized. Women tend to be more receptive to taking orders, and wear less clothing that is more form fitting according to Devor in Gender Roles, Behaviors and Attitudes. During the video one can see many different clothing changes from the women in the video. There were women in roller blades with tight revealing pinup outfits, very revealing and tight maid costumes, and outfits that reflected the look of a stripper/porn star. These outfits fit the characterization of femininity that Devor brings up with in Gender Roles, Behaviors and Attitudes. “..Femininity, as a role, is best suited to satisfying a masculine vision of heterosexual attractiveness” (Devor 569).  Throughout the video one can continuously see women attending to Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s every need and are not saying no. Once again this goes back to the notion that feminine people are more willing to take orders rather than give them.

Feminization of women is brought lyrically through Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s lyrics about taking orders. Using the same lyrics that masculinized Justin Timberlake and Timberland, also brings forth feminization of the women with in the music video; “Have it your, way, foreplay before I feed your appetite”, ‘Take my order cause your body like a Carry out”, “Baby get my order right, no errors”, and “Let me walk into your body until you hear me out”. These lyrics feminize the women within this music video because they show the women accepting and taking orders from the two hyper masculine figures in the music video; Justin Timberlake and Timberland.

The working class is visually seen through the scenery and the outfits that the women wear for the duration of the music video. The very first scene a person sees while watching this video is signs and arrows signaling for a diner. A diner is typically associated with the working class because they are very cheap, and workers there make minimum wage or a little higher. The Pontiac Firebird is also associated with the working class of the time, regardless of it being restored. The Firebird was a typical car for the average family. Also, the outfits that the women are wearing while they are at Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s car wear knockoffs of the typical dinner uniform. Conflicting with the views of the working class are views of aristocracy. Aristocracy is a governing body or upper class usually made up of hereditary nobility. Justin Timberlake and Timberland are put in a scene with a chair that one of royalty or very high stature would sit in, and they have a woman dressed in a maid costume by their side. Visually this shows a view of aristocratic life. Not only do their outfits and scenery construct an aristocratic lifestyle, but so does their faces. Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s faces have looks of enjoyment and looks of entitlement to what they are receiving from their “maids”. With aristocracy and the working class viewed within the music video Justin Timberlake and Timberland accurately construct the myth of the playa.

Through the jux position of the working class and aristocracy one can see that the music video “Carry Out” uses the construction of hyper sexual masculinity and feminization of women. Within the lyrics and music video, Justin and Timberland continuously use the metaphor of the fast food industry and how they "service" an individual to evoke hyper masculinity and the feminization of women. Justin Timberlake and Timberland’s “Carry Out” music video constructs the myth of the playa.

Quick Trim assists the Beauty Myth

The Quick Trim advertisement constructs the myth of woman that tries anything to get thinner. Through hyper feminization and heterosexuality the beauty myth evokes the stereotype of the woman that tries anything to get thinner. Naomi Wolf within in The Beauty Myth, discusses how liberation of women’s rights has caused the creation of the beauty myth. Within this myth Wolf mentions how it has caused there to be more health issues to women, specifically problems with bulimia and anorexia. Wolf states; “During the past decade, women breached the power structure; meanwhile, eating disorders rose exponentially and cosmetic surgery became the fastest growing medical specialty. During the past five years, consumer spending doubled; pornography became the main media category, ahead of legitimate films and records combined, and thirty-three thousand American women told researcher that they would rather lose ten to fifteen pounds than achieve any other goal” (487). Quick Trim is a diet pill that helps women lose weight the “safe” way.

            However I would not like to focus on the health risks of taking a diet pill. I am more interested in how the beauty myth highlighted in this advertisement deceives women into believing this is all they need.  “Contemporary standards of feminine beauty have devolved to a point that can only be described as anorexic, and America’s young women are paying the price through a near-epidemic of bulimia and anorexia” (Wolf 486). Through contemporary standards advertisements like this Quick Trim ad flourish because women struggling to lose weight feel the need to use these diet pills to help achieve a body “just like the Kardashians”. 

            “The beauty myth is always actually prescribing behavior and not appearance. Competition between women has been made part of the myth so that women will be divided from one another. Youth and (until recently) virginity have been “beautiful” in women since they stand for experiential and sexual ignorance” (Wolf 489). Women focus on the need to look the best and are willing to achieve this look of perfection any way possible; regardless of detrimental it is to their way of thinking and body. The advertisement for Quick Trim aids the notions of the beauty myth through the use of careful wording and who the company chooses to represent their product;  “Now conscious market manipulation: powerful industries-the thirty three million dollar a year diet industry” (Wolf 492).

            “The sexual revolution promoted the discovery of female sexuality; “beauty pornography”-which for the first time in women’s history artificially links a commodified “beauty” directly and explicitly to sexuality-invaded the mainstream to undermine women’s new and vulnerable sense of sexual self-worth…Western women control over our own bodies; they weight of fashion models plummeted to twenty three percent below that of ordinary women, eating disorders rose exponentially, and a mass neurosis was promoted that used food and weight to strip women of that sense of control” (Wolf 488).  This advertisement screams heterosexuality through text and visuals. Going back to the myth of the women that is willing to try anything to get thinner, this goal of getting thinner coincides with wanting to appeal to the opposite sex. Quick Trim uses the images of Kim and Khloe Kardashian in skimpy bathing suites in order to attract the eye of women, and portray the message that if you take this your body will just be like the Kardashian girls. The Kardashian’s, especially Kim Kardashian, is known for having a very sexy body that heterosexual population recognizes.

            “It is actually composed of emotional distance, politics, finance, and sexual repression. The beauty myth is not about women at all. It is about men’s institutions and institutional power” (Wolf 489). Heterosexual masculinity contributes to the beauty myth discussed today.  Through the text within the Quick Trim advertisement attracts the women that are “ashamed to admit that such trivial concerns-to do with physical appearance, bodies, faces, hair, clothes-matter so much” (Wolf 486). The text with in this advertisement states; “how hot can YOU be?”, and “Keep up with Kim and Khloe.” Through this text the woman that is trying anything in order to lose weight visually sees the in shape thin bodies of the Kardashian women, and is reminded twice with in the text that Quick Trim is the way to achieve the hot body she has been looking for, and in order to “keep up” with the Kardashian woman a person has to take this Quick Trim diet pill.  

“Beauty” is a contradiction: Where modern women are growing, moving, and expressing their individuality, as the myth has it, “beauty” is by definition inert, timeless, and generic. That this hallucination is necessary and deliberate is evident in the way “beauty” so directly contradicts women’s real situation” (Wolf 492).  Hyper feminization is created with in this advertisement to accentuate the feminine body shape. The clothing…well lack of clothing shows off the curves of the Kardashian women, and once again brings home the message of the advertisement, “if you want to look as good as the Kardashian women  you need to use Quick Trim”. This message aids to selling their product to the women that are willing to try anything to achieve the perfect body. “The beauty myth tells a story: The quality called “beauty” objectively and universally exists. Women must want to embody it and men must want to possess women who embody it” (Wolf 488). Women want to look the best, and according to this advertisement the Kardashian women are the “hottest”, because a person has to “keep up” with their beauty.

            “It’s ideals change at a pace far more rapid than that of the evolution of species, and Charles Darwin was himself unconvinced by his own explanation that “beauty” resulted from a “sexual selection” that deviated from the rule of natural selection; for women to compete with women through “beauty” is a reversal of the way in which natural selection affects all other mammals” (Wolf 488). Wolf once again drives home the fact that these beauty myths are completely the doing of society, the way women think about themselves, and the competition women put against themselves because of heterosexual opinions.