Double Journal Week #10

1.     Do you think topics that center on "frustration with official power" and "attraction for mass media fantasies would differ in rural communities from those that inner-city teenagers focus on? How? Give some examples.

I believe there is some difference to be noted in the difference between the urban and the rural, but I believe the craving for attention is the same.  While I believe the urban youth may see the need for attention in a gang setting for instance those in a rural setting may be more interested in mass media attention for a crazy stunt on a 4-wheeler.  Motivation is similar by the ways expressed is very different.

 

2.     How do traditional social institutions and mass media work to silence inner-city kids?

The two “entities” set themselves up an two like minded sources that puts the youth in the crosshairs.  Both sides exploit the good and the bad of inner-city youth.

 

3.     What is your reaction to the statistics presented under the heading "And Justice For Some?" Do you think the system in intentionally organized to disadvantage urban youth of color?

Growing up in the 1970s, where there was “white” and “black” I have been hearing these and similar statistics all my life.  I also believe that often times the research that generates these numbers may often be skewered  and even inaccurate.  I am not saying that I disbelieve the statistics, only that I’m not always prone to believe that everything I read is the truth.

 

4.     Link to an advertisement or commercial that you consider to b e influenced by hip-hop culture?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBR-DU93oxQ

 

5.     What dangers to young people do you see in the relentless marketing of "cool" ?

I have long believed that in an attempt to determine what is cool we do a disservice to today’s youth and tomorrow’s adults.  We put forth the idea and notion that to be disrespectful to adults is to “be cool” and yet this learned pattern of disrespect is often a major downfall of youth.  I have often believed that as funny as it was, “what you talkin’ bout Willis?” by Gary Coleman was the beginning of the end.

 

6.     What is your reaction to the research that shows youth violence in decline? Do you still think that is the trend in 2012? Find some statistics to support your answer?

I believe that statistics can be interpreted to tell the story that is wanted.  If I want to show that juvenile delinquency is declining I could use the numbers from the time period of 1997 to the present (according to http://www.ncjj.org/pdf/jcsreports/jcs2009.pdf) and yet if I wanted to show that juvenile delinquency is increasing utilizing the same data I would do a comparison of a longer time period, say from 1991.

 

7.     Why is it important to let youth speak for themselves and their voices to be heard?

Not only do today’s youth need to be able to speak for themselves, they need to be able to think for themselves and the two skills are dependent upon each other.

 

8.     What prevents Urban Youth from articulating their own lived experiences in ways that might be productive? Do you think this is problematic in rural areas like West Virginia? Do you think rural youth are victimized by mass media in ways that are different than Urban youth? How?

Either intentionally or unintentionally adults put a set of standards onto information provided by the younger generation.  We believe that they need to communicate and be articulate at our levels.  It is often believed that our way is the right way, and the “new” way of looking at life and the experiences of the younger generation are wrong or at the very least, not to be taken seriously.  As to the differences in victimization I would refer to my answer to the first question, different as to the content, but not different as to the intent.

 

9.     According to the author, what is the best way to address the literacy challenge?

The author believes we need to “organically” address literacy.  In other words, grass roots, from the beginning of education for all.

 

10. Why is the skill and drill approach to literacy instruction ineffective?

 

11. What should schools offer to improve literacy instruction for Urban Youth? Do you think this strategy would also benefit student of the Appalachia region whose literacy rates are similar to those of youth in the inner-city?

 

12. How is the process of reading changed by media?

      Reading can be reinforced in a variety of digital and multi-media avenues.  Sesame Street took the world by storm in the 1970’s by using media to teach reading and counting.  It was more effective than could have been predicted.  New forms of media take Sesame Street and put it on steroids for more classes and levels in society than ever before.

 

13. According to the author how might the imbalance between inner-city kids strong command of oral and visual language be used to improve print-based language? Do you think this would also work for low-literacy kids in the Appalachia region?