Video Essay: You Vs. the Media

[@MS-pm9fe]

It's as if I can feel the patriarchy in media, but I can't describe it. You do that for all of us! Thank you!

[@Lysistrata2025]

This! Thanks for the clarification, Lisa!

[@MrKingkz]

Kind of get it as a man sometimes it can be hard to see patriarchy at work I am a human and sometimes my feelings can get in the way but as a Black man I can smell the racism a 100 miles away I don't know how Black women deal with it they be getting it from all angles

[@evergreenforestwitch]

This is so important to discuss. As an American, one of the biggest betrayals I've experienced is the realization that every piece of history and "social studies" I learned in school and through my culture is propaganda. I have spent decades unpacking the source of the ideologies I have been taught and the rage and disappointment that every time it's about rich, white, men promoting colonization never ceases. Nearly all mainstream media is owned by rich, white men who have a vested interest in perpetuating the hierarchical institutions and systemic discrimination and injustices within them because the makers of media benefit from these systems. I basically do not consume fiction any longer because the forms of it I find entertaining ate propaganda and the forms that aren't propaganda I don't find very entertaining, probably due to conditioning in my childhood. It's very frustrating. Sitcoms are propaganda for work and family units. Rom coms are propaganda for the patriarchy. Detective shows are police propaganda. They have an agenda. It's creepy af once you see it.

[@evif9377]

I know how you feel. Once I realised that Western films, a genre with films I really liked, is about ethnic cleanising, genocide and the dehumanisation of indigenous Americans, I can't unsee it and no longer watch that genre of media. All I can see is whyte people feeling entitled to stolen, cleansed land. It is how Israel will portray their mythic history of Palestinian land in less than half a century. 😢

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

It's crazy how it's all propaganda, innit?? Law & Order: SVU is one of the worst. For what it's worth, there are so many fiction books by writers like Pearl Buck, Dostoyevsky, Joseph Conrad and so many others that dissect existential questions, macro and micro injustices, human nature, ideologies and philosophies, etcetera. There are volumes of essays and short stories written by those who've chosen to live the life of the mind. I say let's bring back book clubs and explore!

[@JudeRevolution-c1l]

FACTS 💯

[@Iquey]

There is good fiction written by women and lgbtq folks. That's why I like light novels and comics.

[@lNowHerel]

Imagine how people of color feel having seen all of this plus how they have been portrayed in history. White people will see all of these things and not see how racist history and media is

[@amberinthemist7912]

They just re did the history railroad museum in Sacramento. Told the story of how much women were vital to the gold rush era and railroad development. They weren't just doing laundry and turning tricks. They were accountants and record keepers. Some people felt it was too woke. Others celebrated it. It all just made me so sad. How much invisible labor from women built this country? Why do they lie to keep us down? What are they afraid of?

[@TheShamuraja]

After the second world war, as everybody died, just most of the male population either eradicated or maimed - they also said: "well, women do it all and rebuild the country now." And they did. There was literally noone left. Plus most of the cities just gone and destroyed. Who ever wants to read up on that - the generation of those women in Germany was called "Trümmerfrauen". Whole lot of books on that exist as well. They freakin' rebuild the civilization 😂 after the "games of war" 😑were over (first and second world war almost back to back).

[@BL-sd2qw]

You should wait until you start learning about matriarchies like the mosuo, quero, khasi, bijagos, huilloc, juchitecas, bribri, haudenosaunee, minangkabau, hadza, yurok, akan and so many, soooooooo many more.

[@destroyraiden]

We got in Gettysburg a sparse walking tour guides who speak on 1, 1 of 10 women who fought in the battle and they frame it under "girl power." just to aid the male ego on the matter how insulting we have to care take these males that women were combatants in it. We have zero plaques for these 10 women and frankly I have found 12 women so far of which 10 fought, 2 were not in the battle of them one was imprisoned she was found out that morning for being a woman she told the guard whom she didn't know was also a woman that she had a woman in her group so we maybe looking at 13 women in just this one battle field and of 1 of them she fought in 10 other battles including Shilo before coming out her with her unit but in Gettysburg we got a total of jack shit about women in war people don't even know about the color guard prancing poney girls that were fake units either and every official history channel book they sell up there never mentions women combatants. In Harrisburg I found 2 women in the barracks and one was super interesting cuz not only is she passing as a male to be there she was passing as white as well so she's double passing! Yet we got crickets these women were there during the civil war time too. We have photos and scrap books of the time period and you can see women in uniform in those photos not hiding it well yet we still got crickets in history classes, movies, and everything else nope males rather make another civil war movie with a male lead rathaer then a woman lead in the military fighting the same war as the continue to pretend women didn't fight on both sides. I do want to point out we also had a crazy Scott in Gettysburg he's gone unmentioned he fucked the system hard by not bringing any gun with him he had only his ancient family shield, sword, and his kilt and fought in the fucking thing the tale is fucking awesome, local, and they sold his battle "uniform" before I could blaze down there same day and check it out. But the tale I was told on it is yes he was local and went into the fight his shield took a hit got dented but he was fine running around cleaving guys up with his sword I want a movie on this dude due to he's rare the only other historical account I got like this was the one guy who stormed D-day with a bow, sword, and bagpipes no guns and we still don't have that guys movie even though after the beach he lead a team in the project Archer to do some behind enemy lines shit he did not find the project code name funny however. We have the stories people no males and the culture at large have been denied knowing it. So it's great they re-inserted those women into history and yeah it's supper common for people to pretend its revision history or woke history or woke fakery when you insert women into where they've always been. Like every battle of Berlin should have women tank operators, light machine gunners, foot/infantry soldiers cuz the Russian brought them in and they died during it or aided in winning and living through the battle but we got nothing that's the revision the exclusion of women where they were in the fighting, in the war not just as "male approved" placements of she's the nurse or the gf caught in the battle and needs saving shit.

[@Ashaliyeva]

Oooh!!! That is sooooo cool! I will definitely be planning a trip to visit there, hopefully soon!

[@lelz0394]

Noam Chomsky also says that the central element in porn is the degradation of women and people who use it for pleasure has problems. He is someone who I really trust.

[@JudeRevolution-c1l]

I trust him too

[@Iquey]

Porn as it exists definitely sucks about 89% of the time. It's not that interesting to see the same theme over and over. Nudity, art, and films about sex created by women showing women actually having fun could exist, but the current big companies don't promote it so it stays indie.

[@hydratejsn]

​@@Iquey any recommendations by chance?

[@BL-sd2qw]

​@@hydratejsn I wanna know too

[@NoelleVianna]

@@IqueyI am doubtful that any form of objectification of women could be positive in any way. If the purpose is to take that supposedly genuine expression of female pleasure, and use it to sexually gratify a stranger, that is still objectification. Plus, there will always be the ethical question of whether or not the woman in the video is truly consenting, or if she’s doing it only because she needs the money.

[@SoVidushi]

an hour long vertical video-essay on youtube. I am glad we are experimenting and accepting newer forms and challenging conventions these days.

[@elzaocean]

I was today years old when I heard that cave women hunted as much as cave men I need to process this

[@MrKingkz]

Yes they did most cave people hunted together man and women both they also did the child raseing together as well not all cave society's tho like different cultures today each tribe and each country would have had different cultures and ways of doing it but the role of women in cave society is very underplayed alot of cave people society's where matriarchal as well

[@Renbarbmanio]

Coming from someone with a Masters in media, this essay is a great review of a basic college course on the topic. A few additions: Marshall McLuhan said something like "I don't know who discovered water, but it wasn't the fish" Americans are the most propagandized in the world. So much so that people who regularly consume mainstream news sources (on TV or like the NYT etc.) are shown to be less aware of reality than non-news consumers. One challenge I have to the section on representation in hollywood is that it has shifted so that they seem obsessed with the identity of characters. But this doesn't serve us either because it is a cover up of real underlying power plays like the U.S. military approving scripts to glorify war, and big pharma using identity to sell drugs (and other interests ensuring that we keep fighting with others in our own class while they rob us.)

[@FindYourFree]

very important teaching. i see everything similarly to what you express but your ability to verbalize these things is top tier.

[@yv_edit]

thank you so much I genuinely appreciate that!!! ❤🎉💗🙏

[@christopherbrown5409]

​@yv_edit what qualifies you to discuss this topic vs a Zara haul or whatever? Asking as an "emotional" man.

[@laurenw4818]

​@@christopherbrown5409nice to see a man who is self aware! the fact that she has the lived experience of being a woman and also spends a significant amount of time performing independent research and providing studies to back up her claims, i think that qualifies her, yes. her credentials aside, do you have any counter arguments to anything she is saying? any ideas? are you capable of the power of thought and engaging critically with maybe unfamiliar material in an open and empathetic way? i'd really love to hear your thoughts.

[@christopherbrown5409]

@@laurenw4818 are you her publicist?

[@laurenw4818]

@@christopherbrown5409 yes

[@evif9377]

Decentering men gave me the aptitude to stop watching most Hollywood films that I had enjoyed through gritted teeth. My dad made me come with him to the cinema to watch Dune and I thought, how silly, so many basic men believe they're Paul lol. And maybe they are ironically, as he is also a typical male but with special powers. I'm a Jane Campion fan and she has directed my favourite film The Piano. I will continue to consume art and media that is done by women and marginalised communities, but once you can see the propaganda, you can't unsee it.

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

Well said and good for you! Thanks for mentioning that Jane Campion film The Piano. I love that film. Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love by Mira Nair was made around that time and has a similar flavor. The Lover was also made around the same time, and though directed by a man, it was adapted from Marguerite Duras' semi-autobiographical novel. Agreed about not unseeing the propaganda once you can see it.

[@evif9377]

@@TARAdubbleyuu I love that film Kama Sutra! I haven't seen The Lover 👀 Will check it out

[@christopherbrown5409]

What's wrong with a man wanting to be like Paul?

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

My ex used to get annoyed with me and say “aren’t you ever OFF?” because I would complain about the misogyny in literally everything. I was supposed to chill out and “enjoy it.” Because obviously, their can’t be some enjoyable movies that aren’t centered on misogyny…

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

@@ultravioletpisces3666 Yup. That sounds familiar lol. Once you see it, you see it everywhere...and you can't unsee it. Good on you for standing on your square and kicking him to the curb. So glad to hear he's an ex!

[@LexLeo_]

16:50 OMG. I am the only one I know up to this point who has called out that Rick Ross lyric while everyone still carries on listening to his music as if he’s not a 🍇ist. Thank you for that 🙏

[@imaginelolalola]

Thank you, you've expressed what I could only feel and internalise. The problem is that community aspect. If you are thinking this alone and many people do not want to even think about it you feel more isolated. It is like having your eyes opened but knowing there is nothing you can really do about it. I get your point about consuming media by others but I feel we need much more than that.

[@ThandoNdlovu-zr3ld]

A new Yv video and its an hour long. Let grab my snacks because now I know how I'm spending my afternoon. 😍😍😍💖💖💖.

[@yv_edit]

omg 😊❤🫂

[@GloomyTh22]

Yes, I'm painting my nails while watching 💅💅💅

[@CNS_0507]

Thank you for covering this daily, unavoidable division. I have so many notes, but in order to not spend a half hour typing, I’ll talk about my main takeaway. This reminded me about the religious propaganda I grew up with. What I’m about to say may be triggering for those of you with religious trauma, so read my comment at your own discretion. Ephesians 5:22 states, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as you do to the lord.” I never questioned this verse growing up, but I did internally question this phrase I heard many people say: “A husband is the head, the woman is the neck.” I would ask myself, “Why can’t I be the head?” “Why do I have to be the neck?” “What’s this bizarre comparison of people with body parts?” “How can I call it partnership if we’re not considered equal parts?” Lisa, you are so right when you say that it goes so far back. People have literally been programmed to think this way because their holy book(s) say that it is ordained by their male creator. I would love to hear you deep dive into the law of attraction at some point. Once again, thank you for the well-spoken, easily digestible information. This is the type of media I am grateful for!

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

Do you know 2 things that are so interesting, though? First is how much Ephesians 5:22 is hammered into folks by those types of churches instead of the verse just prior, Ephesians 5:21, which states "Submit to ONE ANOTHER out of reverence for Christ." Second is that those types of churches omit a key word from verse 22 and what the PURPOSE of verse 22 was when it was written (bear with me, y'all lol). Men back then thought ANY woman was supposed to submit to ANY man! Ephesians 5:22 ACTUALLY states, "Wives, submit to your OWN husbands..." in order to address the free-for-all men thought they were entitled to from any woman they saw, whether she was married to them or someone else lol. True story. Funny how the more things change the more they stay the same, yeah? smh

[@chronicfatiguehermithiker3022]

Ephesians 5:22: The lord is loving, protective and kind to the congregation; if someone is not loving, kind and protective to us, they are not acting like the lord; it is natural to escape anything that is bringing us harm no matter what/who it is, that’s common sense. God gives us the basics and expects us to add our reasonableness and common sense to it. Unfortunately, each individual is at a different place in their spiritual journey, even a church leader or husband can be poisoned with misogyny, and get influenced in that evil direction and impose their selfishness on others. Common sense, despite peer pressure; satan will never allow it to be easy, we have to stand for right while moving in silence so that we can get the best outcome with the least opposition. Imperfect people and religions are corrupt, not God or the Bible.

[@Iquey]

I'm personally not a fan of the law of attraction, because it has outdated elements of being an individual trying to bring moving parts of our desires and society towards us. I like the overall concept of alchemy and law of frequencies and energies, because on the quantum level everything is energy moving through systems, and we as living individuals all play a part in systems, and because of our relative amounts of free will, have some decision power in how our energy is going to participate in systems or NOT participate anymore and build something new. Even our brains and consciousness cannot exist as a persistent illusion of a continuous identity without a kind of synchronous harmony going on in the whole body, otherwise we die. So like the oscillating waves causing the Tacoma narrows bridge to collapse in the wind, I think about frequencies in and from and around the human body a lot, and how we literally truly have the ability to transform the society around us if we choose. Maybe not overnight, but discordant waves eventually collapse into a new coherent sound.

[@Esme26433]

I struggle to listen to music especially rap and rnb these days. It all rings false. Same thing for romance movies and novels. I can’t stand them. It’s all lies to me now.

[@BestversionofKP]

Same

[@veganbutterfly3652]

Yv you're the greatest in looking at all the areas of patriarchy and exposing them... kudos to you 🤗

[@triloization]

Thank you for all the effort you put into your essays. It is always an huge inspiration for me❤️❤️❤️

[@monamy690]

The examples were "body parts" of the female , not including her face. That happens a Lot!

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

Yup. Headless. Brainless. No mouth. No opinions. No protest.

[@knowmadyourownnomad8194]

The patriarchal gaze in media, organized schooling, the health care industry, the version of "the economy" chosen as the only possible one, the echo chamber of a two-party political system, women and people of color decentered if we exist at all -- preach! and keep preaching! You know youre getting somewhere when you ruffle feathers. ❤❤❤

[@SilverScale.]

Great video. I played it while my dad an I hung out while he made food and I puttered around nearby. :) He listened.

[@Biiku_]

I have three daughters and use media to ask them "how does this (song, character, movie, whatever) make you think, feel, believe about yourself, your friends, the world?". I use it in girl scouts too. I encourage frequent breaks from media that makes you view the world around you or yourself as lesser than or in distorted ways. There's being informed and then there's the near constant panic over stuff you can't control. Like, I need to be informed about local politics so I can vote appropriately, but checking it daily doesn't help me parent better or love better or sleep or eat better. Knowing who said or did what is important, but obsessing over it doesn't serve me. Petting my cat or making art or reading a book for fun is a privilege and also a better use of my time and also a chance to reflect on how better to use my energy to raise the next generation of white women to do and be better. Just my thoughts and opinions for the algorithm.

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

This is such a great corrective message that I needed today, thank you

[@6all3is9one]

once i started seeing the gender propaganda in one corner of our media i started realizing how pervasive it is all over 🤯 thank you for covering this sensitive but crucial topic ❤❤❤

[@lNowHerel]

Now open your eyes wider and look at the racial bs. If you dare.

[@hereforit2]

Great analysis, as always. Love your channel! ❤

[@decayingbutbiscuit]

May misogynistic woman come around, thanks for these videos. I can try and try again telling my dad how it is, but I have yet to decenter that side of things, for obvious valid reasons. I literally fear a life without what I know, outside voices can do so much damage and the media has really done it in for a lot of us young people. Again, glad I'm here and not in some dumpster fire section of youtube.

[@pintobeans7594]

i cannot thank you enough for posting this. truly. you are the ONLY creator i’ve seen on here who has talked to this extent about the objectification and portrayal of women in media. i don’t think most people even think about the effect this has on our perceptions, and it is actually a HUGE deal. please keeping doing what you do!!

[@TARAdubbleyuu]

Woohoo! yv_ has a new video up and it’s an hour long essay 😃 You’re the best! ♥️ Keep up the great work!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@elephant-and-bird]

🎉🎉🎉brilliant ty! Definitely gonna watch again

[@aneliaguteva7247]

30:40 For men 'son of a b' is the closest but the problem is, as you say, that it is insulting because it is associated with a woman. I am typing this as I continue watching, so maybe I will have more thoughts to share later on. Very well researched and well presented essay.

[@holyman5802]

Ironically, even Plato was a misogynist.

[@kuzamaki]

You and the sovreign woman are my favorite creators❤

[@NinaGothMambaNegra]

thanks so much for such an eloquent and informative analysis. your channel is great!

[@AmyRaeVee]

I've worked in advertising and marketing as a graphic designer since 1996. I'm gonna say that I 100% agree with you on the fact that friends might be the ones working on it. I cringed so hard when I was working the big blue retailer and had to make posters of musicians that I despised. I had 2 kids to feed solo. The real power there wasn't me saying 'this sucks'. There were plenty of people in line to do my job. The power lies at the top of the chain. Even above the head of marketing and the creative directors lie stockholders and top brass. Nowhere since then have I been in a position to alter the tone of an industry and the culture who wants to be part of it. I own that I thought I'd be able to create change. I own that I did not. Maybe I did it for my kids. Maybe they heard me talk about my work. The money in the media is also concentrated at the top. *shrugs in Gen X*

[@AmyRaeVee]

Consider if you're being swayed emotionally. Consider if someone is attempting to use logic and numbers to sway you. The formula was invented and is still used to change behavior. I'm not saying their logic or numbers are alway sound, but those are two paths that are used to alter behavior and thinking of an audience.

[@Fkpatriarchy]

Thanks so much. The deprogramming is coming along nicely.😊

[@click2112]

Brilliant as usual 👏 so much of what you talked about overlaps with my spiritual beliefs and the power visuals and images have on our heart and spirit.

[@4blueland]

Thanks for speaking to this! It's really needed to be said ❤❤❤

[@6all3is9one]

dang this is some deep shit - great video! thank you YV ❤ for the record, you could do 1000 hours on this topic and i’d be here for every last one

[@Greenplanet949]

You give the most rational and on point analysis I’ve heard on this topic of media. I also loved your breakdown of the patriarchy. I am an old feminist and have been horrified how women have been brutalized literally and figuratively in the last 40 years. Keep it coming!

[@Id.rather.be.a.dragon]

Such an impactful video. I loved it so much.

[@Iquey]

Security systems on an ugly short lawn suburban home, vs. having tall grass/bushes , deadbolt locks, and a firearm.

[@SKINxChina]

Love your content!

[@neitsytmaria6401]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🌺🌺

[@strwbryblondi07]

Please more on men and main character syndrome! I got tired of the Alexander Hamilton/Eliza dynamic in my relationship. Annoying to see how men can and do reasonably expect a supportive character (because so many women acquiesce). Even if women choose a different path, it's not likely to find a supportive character so she can be the Main and accomplish things like typical artists, CEOs, historical figures etc do. I think healthier is both people supporting each other, but realistically way more men have this support system which is reflected in men's more achievements. Your other video about the hierarchy of needs and how a true equal partnership would divide it in half, vs the women holding up the bottom levels, was eye opening. I grew up with a single mom. Silly me assumed a two parent household = half the house work and more leisure time for each adult. Not what I see in most couples.

[@redgoddess]

Absolutely!👏

[@MrKingkz]

I need to say one thing as a black man and music do you know how creepy it is that a lot of rap songs especially on tv are songs about killing people that look like me what is more creppy is that i know white people who can recite some of them songs word for word and with joy and it puts a lot of bad energy in black boys i think as people in the west we need to be more critical of the art we are pushed and the next time a hip hop song comes on just think about who its degradeing and 90% of the time its women and Black men it makes it hard to enjoy the music sometimes

[@musicdd2]

lisa, you are my most favorite female creator!

[@navideology]

Very insightful

[@AM-hv1vs]

I always perceived Shailene Woodley's annoyance with the interviewer as her being frusrated with these fake sort of meaningless conversations they have to have with the media on the red carpet. The interviewers either ask these stupid questions to somehow 'relate' to the star or they ask things like what is the meaning if life, like come on...

[@GeorgeGlass298]

Giving some hard truths with this one.

[@AndyJ-le7tp]

Just stopping by to say I love you ❤️

[@Guiltyangel605]

❤

[@mw7845]

I love madiswan!! She has a KZbin too, amazing videos/ podcast

[@4blueland]

Hi! I'm loving your channel! Wondering if you have run across Max Dashu yet? She has been running the Suppressed History Archive, and writing about matrilineal culture and art since 1970. Just 8n case you are interested. She is one of a few feminist crones that I follow. 🌿

[@amytaylor1909]

Such a good video

[@JeanneBook]

It's amazing I'm here early 🫰

[@wldlvndr9934]

💗💗💗

[@lNowHerel]

History. The ultimate deception.

[@talkingtochapri]

✨✨✨

[@Alexcatchh]

❤❤

[@destroyraiden]

could you do one breaking down with examples of the soap opera in male sports? I see it in male anime or I'm beginning to their action anime is a male soap opera it's annoying. Yet that sounds interesting and I've not heard anyone really show and tell how this is so on sports. I get it is just not how.

[@danidiaz2377]

💎🖤💎

[@lidu6363]

I am a simple girlie. I see Blåhaj, I like. 🦈

[@sandramilfort9261]

👏🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾

[@HideYourKarmaChameleon]

❤❤❤

[@navideology]

❤❤❤

[@morganalefay5454]

❤❤❤