IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

I became very interested in studying media literacy after reading Dr. Jean Kilbourne's book Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel, and much of my information was drawn from that book and Dr. Kilbourne's Killing Us Softly videos. I hope that my introduction to media literacy, particularly its effect on young women's self-esteem and self-image, has intrigued you to look further into this topic. Below is a list of resources you should check-out for more information on media literacy.

• Dr. Jean Kilbourne's Website - has information about this phenomenal women and the work she has done, as well as the titles of her book and videos (which are definitely worth buying or checking out from your local library).
• About-Face - a website full of interesting statistics, visuals, and links to help turn around the distorted image of women in the media, with a vast list of resources and links to look into. Check out their "gallery of offenders" which is a gallery of offensive ads with amusing captions and facts. (One of my favorite places to visit).
• Adbusters - an incredibly visually pleasing website, with some of the most creative "spoof ads" I've ever seen. A great place to go if you want a good laugh. Also has information about it's bimonthly magazine.
• Media Education Foundation - if you are looking for videos, books, and other resources dealing with the media's influence on our lives, this is a great place to find them. Particularly good for schools and teachers interested in integrating media literacy into their curriculum.
• The Center for Media Literacy - an organization focused on bringing media literacy into the school system. They have a catalog you can browse for videos and books. Or check out a vast library of media literacy articles, good for a quick read.
• The National Institute on Media and the Family - a great resource for parents as well as educators. A very accessible site, offering advice on how to build a child's media awareness. Includes various reports and studies on the media's effect on children and teenagers.

• write a letter to a major advertising company such as Nike, GAP, etc

• write a letter to the editor of your newspaper about media messages

• create a counter/spoof ad of your very own

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