Dodge Challenger Commercial

In my first blog, I want to write about the Dodge Challenger commercial that we saw in class. I guess what really struck me most was the fact that I did not take the time to analyze the commercial and read the hidden meanings right away. I am a very analytical person. I read and over-read into everything to try and make sense of it as it pertains to me. However, when I first watched the Challenger commercial, I was like "America **** Yeah!" right along with the commercial. It wasn't until we really dissected the commercial, that I realized that this commercial wanted nothing to do with me. This commercial was sending out a message to male consumers all over America, and leaving females such as myself out. By doing this, the commercial was sending out hidden messages to people all over the U.S.

I realized that this piece of advertising was letting males everywhere know that this was for them! Men are more powerful, rugged, fighters, they got us our freedom, and they have the purchasing power to go out there and purchase this Dodge Challenger. This vehicle is too masculine and too powerful for women. We wouldn't know what to do with it. Only a man is strong enough to drive this car.

When I first saw this commercial, I definitely pictured men and women driving the car. I thought about why the soldiers were only men, but then I thought that the commercial was set in a time where only men were soldiers. Now I realize that that time period was specifically chosen for that reason! How sad that they thought by making a commercial that took place in that era would empower men and get them to go buy this car. At the same time, it would get strong and independent women like me to forgive the commercial because it wasn't their fault that women did not ride besides Washington and fight wars back then. It takes a little more in depth thinking and peeling off the layers to realize that that choice was made on purpose and to serve a purpose! Gender stereotypes are everywhere, and here we are unknowingly letting it into our homes ad into our living rooms. I remember reading once that car designers did a study on the way men and women purchase cars, and they were stunned that the number one thing that seals the deal for women purchasing a vehicle were the number and locations of cup holders. I wanted to read more about this, so I went to Google to try and find it. When I began typing "top reasons women.." the predictive words that came up after this were "cheat, leave men, divorce, go to prison, and are bad drivers." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! So if anyone types in something about women, all of these negative things are going to pop up! How sad and ridiculous! I am going to have to end my rant here because I am angry and disappointed.