As I went to check my e-mail for the sixth time today, I started browsing some top headlines for the week. One story that caught my eye was about Sarah Palin and a controversial picture posted on a magazine cover. Here is the link to the story:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091119/ap_on_re_us/us_lifestyles_palin_s_cover_shot
Newsweek used a photo of Sarah Palin on the cover of an issue this week that showed her wearing a red long sleeve shirt and shorts. The picture was initially taken for Runner’s World magazine, but Newsweek decided to use the photo on their cover because it was gender neutral, and apparently fit with the theme of the issue. Palin was outraged that the photo was taken out of context and claims that it was sexist because it showed her exposing her legs. Some of her supporters say that it is not a big deal that this particular photo of her was used since she looks trim and fit in it and therefore conveys a positive self-image. However, others say that Palin is at fault for posing for that photo. Since she is a public figure, she should have known that any photo could be used for purposes other than the one it was intended for. It seems like Palin does not want this photo to be representative of her identity. I am not very avid in following politics, but seeing how Palin is a Republican and conservative, I would assume that she would not want to portray herself with her legs exposed on the cover of Newsweek. I don’t really understand how this particular picture of Palin relates to the content of the article, since the article is about politics and the GOP. Maybe Newsweek was inadvertently trying to portray Palin in a negative light because the article was discussing her faults. I think this photograph is open to interpretation depending on the identity of the audience. If a reader already had negative views on Palin, then those views would be further exacerbated by this picture. On the other hand, if someone supported Palin and her views while she was running for vice president, that person would see the picture portraying Palin as an outdoorsy, athletic, nature-loving woman, which was the intent of the picture if it had been placed in Runner’s World. As Charland said, the picture calls out to the audience and strengthens their views on what they already believe about the identity of Sarah Palin.
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Interesting. I'd have to read the article inside to make a draw up a better hypothesis. However, I wonder if something about their thinking was more about her identity as a 'maverick' as 'different' and 'fresh.' Certainly the photo is not a 'bad' photo, and we have photos of other presidents and candidates and politicians jogging or at the gym (looking far worse). I wonder if the issue is the sex appeal the photo has or if raising an issue about the photo brings greater press attention to the article in the first place...
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