Jessica Alba says “Declare Yourself”

Written By: - Date published: 4:26 pm, September 16th, 2008 - 12 comments
Categories: activism, election 2008, us politics - Tags: , , ,

Some commentators have pondered whether an election in NZ so close to the election in the States should be a concern for Labour.

Helen Clark has already said:

“… Obviously we all take a great interest in the American election but our election is what determines our immediate future”.

But there’s also an upside in terms of getting people aware of the importance of enrolling and getting out to vote. For example Declare Yourself is a national, nonpartisan campaign in the States, aiming to encourage and empower every 18-year-old to enroll and vote. And they’re using some high profile names to promote their cause – Jessica Alba and Christina Aguilera are just two of the people fronting their poster campaign.

Here in NZ 250,000 people still have not enrolled to vote. There’s plenty of on-the-ground activity happening and we can all play a role in promoting the message to our friends, family and networks. As Jessica Alba says “Only you can silence yourself”.

Enrolment forms are available at Post Shops, by free texting your name and address to 3676, phoning the enrolment centre on 0800 367 656 or from the website www.elections.org.nz

12 comments on “Jessica Alba says “Declare Yourself” ”

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  1. weka 1
    16 September 2008 at 5:49 pm

    As Jessica Alba says “Only you can silence yourself’

    Maybe, but I’d like to know how she wrapped her body and mouth in black tape. Sorry, but that is a really crap photo for them to be using for that campaign.

  2. randal 2
    16 September 2008 at 5:54 pm

    thats just a bit of post modern media friendly/driven/grovel fladge sandm for the punters.
    sonebody has to pay for the advertising agencies free lunches.

  3. G 3
    16 September 2008 at 6:11 pm

    This campaign was already done… here in NZ: Electoral Campaign

  4. Julie 4
    16 September 2008 at 9:12 pm

    weka, totally snap. I’m flabbergasted.

  5. Phil 5
    17 September 2008 at 9:23 am

    Ok, so I’m the only one that goes weak at the knee’s seeing Jessica Alba in psuedo-bondage gear… ?

  6. weka 6
    17 September 2008 at 9:25 am

    Cross-commenting this from The Hand Mirror:

    I think there’s a couple of things going on here. One is the image of the woman itself, which is probably gratuitous in any context.

    The other thing is the effect of that image in that particular context. For a start it’s just daft – if you can only silence yourself, why use an image of a woman who’s obviously been tied up by someone else?

    But more than that there is something downright creepy about telling young people to get registered to vote at the same time telling them something about young, naked women being tied up and feeling scared. WTF is that about?

    That image is a pretty strong one of women being silenced in society. Is it telling women that if they’re oppressed it’s because they do it to themselves, and the solution is one of personal will?

    Images convey messages as much as words albeit in more subtle ways. This one not only contradicts the main message of the campaign but it conveys another darker message about women.

  7. weka 7
    17 September 2008 at 9:28 am

    Phil, you get turned on by a woman who is tied up and scared?

  8. Craig Ranapia 8
    17 September 2008 at 9:43 am

    Ok, so I’m the only one that goes weak at the knee’s seeing Jessica Alba in psuedo-bondage gear ?

    Yes? Without wanting to get into the semiotics as deeply as Weka, I’ve got to wonder what the hell is going to get the attention — the undeniably worthy cause, or the rather creepy image of Alba? They’re not the same thing.

    There’s a school of thought that any publicity is good publicity. I’m not so sure.

    I’d also make the point that hip-hop dandy Andre “3000” Benjamin also contributed to the campaign with a spiffy bow-tie between his teeth rather than going for the whole Duct Tape Dungeon bondage vibe. What’s that about — trussing up black men a little too “provocative”, perhaps?

  9. Julie 9
    17 September 2008 at 9:46 am

    Here’s a link to the thread at The Hand Mirror for those who are interested:
    http://thehandmirror.blogspot.com/2008/09/hmmmmm.html

    (lprent, not sure why our trackbacks never show up, it’s not just here either, humph)

  10. Tara 10
    18 September 2008 at 3:33 pm

    Hmm .. don’t knock Jessica, she’s a bright cookie and her intentions are good.

    She is the last person who would let herself tied up in such a daft and helpless pose.

    The image is symbolic of the abysmally low standards of the advertising industry in this country, in more ways than one.

  11. Dom 11
    18 September 2008 at 4:33 pm

    Is it fair to compare ads from a well funded US non-govt group and our Electoral Commission who don’t have a huge budget and who, if they put out ads like this, would be savaged for being X (X being whatever the flavour of the day was – PC, unPC, sexist, misogynistic etc).

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