We really went out with a bang, didn't we?! I thought the projects that were presented on our final day of class were all thoughtful and very well done. I really had a great time this semester, and I am sure you all did as well.
The use of the blog was a useful tool for this course, and I really encourage other instructors to follow suit. While I am not a scholar, I have to assume that creating a mini-blogisphere for a class is a pedagogically sound endeavour. On an individual level, the blog serves as a personal space for reflection and expression - but when that blog is linked to others who are writing on similar topics, but have very different opinions on them, we expand our educational horizons through collaborative learning. Immediately after posting my blog, I'd open Jen's and Loretta's to see what they thought. Oftentimes, I would find things that they didn't, and vice versa. You cannot get that by writing response papers that get turned in exclusively to the instructor. That person, who likely knows all there is to know about the topic, is the only beneficiary to the work of the student. Blogging opens up the professor's briefcase and allows all the students to see how others see, think, and react.
I realize that there are privacy issues that could be an issue to starting a RIC bloggisphere, but I do think the benefits far outweigh the possible negatives. Let's explore the possibilities together.
As for the future of this blog, I do not know what will become of it. Hopefully, through time, it will continue to be an extension of my thoughts that I want to share with my friends, professors, co-workers, and any one else with an open mind and a few minutes :)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
One Day More, Dr. Patterson! (24601)
In honor of our last class, I figure I'd post a snippet from our mutually beloved musical Les Miserables. This is the song "One Day More" as performed at the 10th anniversary celebration. I believe it's the original London cast.
If you haven't seen it... go! And bring tissues!
Colm Wilknson is the best Valjean, hands down...
If you haven't seen it... go! And bring tissues!
Colm Wilknson is the best Valjean, hands down...
Teen Ink: Identity, Expression, and the Written Word
There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.-Z.N. Hurston
For my final choice assignment, I chose to review a teen oriented website. The one I selected, Teen Ink, was something I never heard of before. It is a website and printed magazine, established in 1989 by a non-profit company, that collects and publishes teen writing and art. In doing this, Teen Ink provides a virtual niche which can be used by teens to express themselves artistically while contemporaneously forging a social identity through the written word.
Very much like the videos found on Listen Up, the authors found on Teen Ink deal with the complexities of life in a very adult way. While the dominant view of teenagers portray them in a selfish and irrational manner, a skeptic would be amazed to see that may of the articles on the site deal with very mature topics. Among these articles and stories, readers will find both fictional and non-fictional accounts of topics ranging from suicide to racism, book reviews to environmental issues, travel and culture, and yes, even politics!
Some of the writings were quite profound. One that I found particularly shocking was a poem called Cancer by a teen named Amelie from Massachusetts:
Father, was there any life before your death and resurrection,
before you were chosen an insect
cut curiously
open, leading way to
your smoke bleeding - pouring from
every orifice
Where does your half life begin to be?
Father, how does it feel to know you gave
your cancer to me?
Naturalism.
What happened to ideals of flawless
resurrection?
It seems there’s been a slow exhale of
everything you know.
Father, where did the rest of you go
After lung dissection by a surgeon line chef?
Are you in some sterile room,
On walls of blistered tar flesh?
Here, Amelie grapples with the death of her father from lung cancer and strongly resents him for causing her own physical ailments. As you can see, Cancer does not look like a "teen" created it - rather it looks like a professional, adult writer did it. Despite its melancholy message, it serves to shatter the stereotypes of the typical thoughtless teenager. Another great example of this is a nonfictional piece by Dalia from Texas who lamented her racially charged experiences at a Six Flags trip:
Since the 9/11 attacks, my life has completely changed. People at school started looking at me differently and spitting rude comments at me. Terrorism changed the lives of not only me but everyone in America. It made people sad, mad, and in my case, shocked. Most Muslims would never have even thought of doing something like the 9/11 attacks, but Osama bin Laden introduced it to the world. I am completely against terrorism and war, but many people don’t see that side of me and the Muslims around me.
Dalia, like many Muslims in the United States, struggles to shake the terrorist stigma attached to them in wake of Spetember 11th. Her plight is different from other teenagers. Unlike the typical teen, Dalia is experiencing a compounded version of stereotyping: the one that slanders Islam as an extremist religion, and the other is Hine's "teenage mystique" that we have discussed so thoroughly this semester. Dalia will not only have to continue to combat racism, but also the fact that she will not be taken seriously until she emerges into adulthood.
Structurally, the Teen Ink is plain and easy to use, but in the same token, I'm not sure if it's appealing to teenagers. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't bring this up in an analysis, but given our discussions on web architecture of Listen Up, I think it may be important to discuss briefly. While I think it is functional and simple, would a teen see it as bland and unappealing? I think by making a blanket statement such as that, saying all teens require flashy websites in order to use them, just means that we are giving into the social constructions that we have been working so hard to tear down. Let's not go there, OK?
Anyway, the site is divided into two sections: the media and the administrative. The media portion, seen as the yellow bar across the top of the home page, has various links to the writing/art submissions: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Reviews, Art/Photos, Opinions, and Sports respectively. The administrative portions, in purple, has links to colleges, magazine subscription information, and even links for educators.
I tried really hard to find evidence on Teen Ink that adults (or big companies) were trying to misrepresent teenagers like Hollywood does. Let's face it, teens gone wild sells! This faux teenage culture that movies and televisions perpetuate, only serves only the dominant discourse. Thomas Hine argues that this culture is "wholly impervious to adult influence, is one of the most contentious aspects of the teenage mystique." He argues that teenagers are wrongly lumped into some artificially constructed group that is incapable of making rational decisions on its own. Hine maintains that teens are actually able people, but because this label is placed on them it becomes "an impediment that has kept them from becoming the people they were ready to be."
The fact that adults call teenagers uncontrollable and inhuman, is not because they are, it's because we adults want them to be. As a result, adults construct this media albatross that keeps teenagers in a cultural rut. Luckily, sites like Teen Ink and Listen Up exist to smash that mystique, and create a virtual safety area to express themselves and their identity.
Very much like the videos found on Listen Up, the authors found on Teen Ink deal with the complexities of life in a very adult way. While the dominant view of teenagers portray them in a selfish and irrational manner, a skeptic would be amazed to see that may of the articles on the site deal with very mature topics. Among these articles and stories, readers will find both fictional and non-fictional accounts of topics ranging from suicide to racism, book reviews to environmental issues, travel and culture, and yes, even politics!
Some of the writings were quite profound. One that I found particularly shocking was a poem called Cancer by a teen named Amelie from Massachusetts:
Father, was there any life before your death and resurrection,
before you were chosen an insect
cut curiously
open, leading way to
your smoke bleeding - pouring from
every orifice
Where does your half life begin to be?
Father, how does it feel to know you gave
your cancer to me?
Naturalism.
What happened to ideals of flawless
resurrection?
It seems there’s been a slow exhale of
everything you know.
Father, where did the rest of you go
After lung dissection by a surgeon line chef?
Are you in some sterile room,
On walls of blistered tar flesh?
Here, Amelie grapples with the death of her father from lung cancer and strongly resents him for causing her own physical ailments. As you can see, Cancer does not look like a "teen" created it - rather it looks like a professional, adult writer did it. Despite its melancholy message, it serves to shatter the stereotypes of the typical thoughtless teenager. Another great example of this is a nonfictional piece by Dalia from Texas who lamented her racially charged experiences at a Six Flags trip:
Since the 9/11 attacks, my life has completely changed. People at school started looking at me differently and spitting rude comments at me. Terrorism changed the lives of not only me but everyone in America. It made people sad, mad, and in my case, shocked. Most Muslims would never have even thought of doing something like the 9/11 attacks, but Osama bin Laden introduced it to the world. I am completely against terrorism and war, but many people don’t see that side of me and the Muslims around me.
Dalia, like many Muslims in the United States, struggles to shake the terrorist stigma attached to them in wake of Spetember 11th. Her plight is different from other teenagers. Unlike the typical teen, Dalia is experiencing a compounded version of stereotyping: the one that slanders Islam as an extremist religion, and the other is Hine's "teenage mystique" that we have discussed so thoroughly this semester. Dalia will not only have to continue to combat racism, but also the fact that she will not be taken seriously until she emerges into adulthood.
Structurally, the Teen Ink is plain and easy to use, but in the same token, I'm not sure if it's appealing to teenagers. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't bring this up in an analysis, but given our discussions on web architecture of Listen Up, I think it may be important to discuss briefly. While I think it is functional and simple, would a teen see it as bland and unappealing? I think by making a blanket statement such as that, saying all teens require flashy websites in order to use them, just means that we are giving into the social constructions that we have been working so hard to tear down. Let's not go there, OK?
Anyway, the site is divided into two sections: the media and the administrative. The media portion, seen as the yellow bar across the top of the home page, has various links to the writing/art submissions: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Reviews, Art/Photos, Opinions, and Sports respectively. The administrative portions, in purple, has links to colleges, magazine subscription information, and even links for educators.
I tried really hard to find evidence on Teen Ink that adults (or big companies) were trying to misrepresent teenagers like Hollywood does. Let's face it, teens gone wild sells! This faux teenage culture that movies and televisions perpetuate, only serves only the dominant discourse. Thomas Hine argues that this culture is "wholly impervious to adult influence, is one of the most contentious aspects of the teenage mystique." He argues that teenagers are wrongly lumped into some artificially constructed group that is incapable of making rational decisions on its own. Hine maintains that teens are actually able people, but because this label is placed on them it becomes "an impediment that has kept them from becoming the people they were ready to be."
The fact that adults call teenagers uncontrollable and inhuman, is not because they are, it's because we adults want them to be. As a result, adults construct this media albatross that keeps teenagers in a cultural rut. Luckily, sites like Teen Ink and Listen Up exist to smash that mystique, and create a virtual safety area to express themselves and their identity.
Research on Social Networking Websites
The Pew Internet and American Life Project did some research on the social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. It's a couple years old, but it's still useful and credible. Enjoy!
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_SNS_Data_Memo_Jan_2007.pdf
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_SNS_Data_Memo_Jan_2007.pdf
Monday, April 28, 2008
Where are the pictures?!
I just posted twice with no pictures... unacceptable! I'll get on it when I get home! Everyone is packing up! Got to go!!!
==
Edit! There they are! :) Randomness moment! Bananas!
==
Edit! There they are! :) Randomness moment! Bananas!
Superbad Redux: Representation and Identity
Just a little snippit linking my previous blog to the texts:When I saw Superbad, I immediately thought of Greenfield's Fast Forward and her themes of representation and growing up far too fast. At every stage of the movie, the main characters were trying to do something that was beyond their years – especially with the alcohol. The work glorified underage drinking, even when it really didn't pay off in the end. It leaves you with the “And they did this for what?” question, much like the girl/guy who had the plastic surgery in Greenfield’s piece.
All of this also flows nicely into Hine's concept of the "teenage mystique," insofar that Superbad perpetuates the "teenager as a problem” stereotype. The movie basically defines Hine’s argument that this mystique serves as an excuse for parents to “neglect the coming generation and, ultimately, to see their worst fears realized.” These “worst fears” are manifested when the police officers, yes police officers, takes the side of the teens and behaves like them. This movie doesn’t help the teenager’s case! It's almost like... the officers themselves succumbed to Hine's "mystique!"
Listen Up In-Class Surfing!
These are my favorite Listen Up videos!
Resurrection - this teen falls down the stairs, dies, then comes back to life and kills people! (This is the one we were freaking out about in class LOL)
Lil Thoughts - A homemade anime; a day-in-the-life video of a lesbian teen.
Queens of NY (Jen found this one!) - I didn't get to see it all, but it seems cool. Drag Queen scene of New Your City.
I Am Not A Boy (Jen Found this one too!) - Transgendered youth talking about her lifestyle.
(Sometimes you need to click the link more than once to get a good hit. Not sure why... but if you get a "page cannot be displayed message, then just click it again.)
Are there any other websites that do similar work to that of Listen Up? where can teenagers "talk back?"
I really don't think there are many outlets for expression for teens that aren't corrupted by the dominant discourse. Like I had said in class, media created by teens can exist all over the internet, but you really have to fish for it. Even then, when you do find it like Dr. Bogad said, much of it only serves to validate and uphold the prevailing ideology of teen as hellion. Listen Up provides a nice little space for teens to be themselves - creative, thoughtful, and responsible human beings and artists! Art is such a big part of this! Art is identity, and a new identity is just what teens need!
The whole topic about the infrastructure of the site, to me, is a moot point. I think we should celebrate the whole purpose of Listen Up, and give it some press! If anything, the sophistication of the site raises teens up a bit? Anyway, go Listen Up! It is a great idea! :)
Resurrection - this teen falls down the stairs, dies, then comes back to life and kills people! (This is the one we were freaking out about in class LOL)
Lil Thoughts - A homemade anime; a day-in-the-life video of a lesbian teen.
Queens of NY (Jen found this one!) - I didn't get to see it all, but it seems cool. Drag Queen scene of New Your City.
I Am Not A Boy (Jen Found this one too!) - Transgendered youth talking about her lifestyle.
(Sometimes you need to click the link more than once to get a good hit. Not sure why... but if you get a "page cannot be displayed message, then just click it again.)
Are there any other websites that do similar work to that of Listen Up? where can teenagers "talk back?"
I really don't think there are many outlets for expression for teens that aren't corrupted by the dominant discourse. Like I had said in class, media created by teens can exist all over the internet, but you really have to fish for it. Even then, when you do find it like Dr. Bogad said, much of it only serves to validate and uphold the prevailing ideology of teen as hellion. Listen Up provides a nice little space for teens to be themselves - creative, thoughtful, and responsible human beings and artists! Art is such a big part of this! Art is identity, and a new identity is just what teens need!
The whole topic about the infrastructure of the site, to me, is a moot point. I think we should celebrate the whole purpose of Listen Up, and give it some press! If anything, the sophistication of the site raises teens up a bit? Anyway, go Listen Up! It is a great idea! :)
More Thoughts on the Social Networking Revolution
I realized after my YouTube rant, that I had connected the YouTube readings to past texts, but not to the current readings. Let me discuss what I thought I thought of them:
Power's article about the YouTube course was really interesting! The fact that there is a college course specifically about YouTube and its role in our culture nowadays is really fascinating - and gutsy! A big kudos to the instructor, Alexandra Juhasz, for having the courage to pioneer this. Interestingly enough, Jusasz isn't that happy with YouTube in the way it is set up and its content as of late. She argues, and this is something I have often said, that YouTube is kind of clunky. It's not easy to navigate, and when you want to know more about referencing or motivations for creation, it's often difficult to do so. People leave comments, but it's usually flames (people spamming comments because they do not agree with the message) or something like "Good job" which is a cop-out. Regardless, I think a class about YouTube is both bold and vital because it is so entwined in our daily lives! A few years ago, Prensky would say that it was a site for digital natives, but at this point, few people haven't heard of this video sharing phenomenon! As I said in my last post, it's changing everything!
Danah Boyd and Henry Jenkins' articles on MySpace argues that MySpace, despite all of the negative press around it, was not destined to perpetuate what Hine called the"teenage mystique." Instead, they maintain it is merely a way for teens to have their own niche in a world governed by adults and, more importantly, a place to forge a social identity. They both argue that social networking places like MySpace and Facebook are just places for teens to "hang out" and interact with one another. They thrive on comments and discourse. The authors also caution that the attacks and hype about the predation of teens on these sites is largely unfounded. The truth is, predators lurk wherever teens congregate - whether it be in the real world or the virtual world. Boyd and Jenkins both feel that these sites are necessary as an outlet for expression and communication in a world where their identity is constantly being called into question.
My thoughts and opinions on YouTube and the social networking sites revolves around one key issue: privacy. While I agree with Boyd and Jenkins that MySpace and YouTube are important, and that YouTube is a revolutionary, they can also be dangerous. Maybe it's just the digital immigrant in me, but I don't think so this time. The internet not only facilitates communication between teenagers, but it also makes it easier for those would do harm to them. This compounded with the fact that adolescents go through significant hormone changes, is a really bad combination. I think we have to remember that no all parents/adults are deliberately trying to belittle their teenagers into a identity oblivion! The internet makes it hard for parents to protect kids, and that is why we have to proceed with caution. It's not just predation, though. Identity theft, scams, bullying, and many other negative situations can occur. The internet is fantastic, but left unchecked, can really hurt us. For all of its good, in my opinion, there are equal and proportionate negatives.
Power's article about the YouTube course was really interesting! The fact that there is a college course specifically about YouTube and its role in our culture nowadays is really fascinating - and gutsy! A big kudos to the instructor, Alexandra Juhasz, for having the courage to pioneer this. Interestingly enough, Jusasz isn't that happy with YouTube in the way it is set up and its content as of late. She argues, and this is something I have often said, that YouTube is kind of clunky. It's not easy to navigate, and when you want to know more about referencing or motivations for creation, it's often difficult to do so. People leave comments, but it's usually flames (people spamming comments because they do not agree with the message) or something like "Good job" which is a cop-out. Regardless, I think a class about YouTube is both bold and vital because it is so entwined in our daily lives! A few years ago, Prensky would say that it was a site for digital natives, but at this point, few people haven't heard of this video sharing phenomenon! As I said in my last post, it's changing everything!
Danah Boyd and Henry Jenkins' articles on MySpace argues that MySpace, despite all of the negative press around it, was not destined to perpetuate what Hine called the"teenage mystique." Instead, they maintain it is merely a way for teens to have their own niche in a world governed by adults and, more importantly, a place to forge a social identity. They both argue that social networking places like MySpace and Facebook are just places for teens to "hang out" and interact with one another. They thrive on comments and discourse. The authors also caution that the attacks and hype about the predation of teens on these sites is largely unfounded. The truth is, predators lurk wherever teens congregate - whether it be in the real world or the virtual world. Boyd and Jenkins both feel that these sites are necessary as an outlet for expression and communication in a world where their identity is constantly being called into question.
My thoughts and opinions on YouTube and the social networking sites revolves around one key issue: privacy. While I agree with Boyd and Jenkins that MySpace and YouTube are important, and that YouTube is a revolutionary, they can also be dangerous. Maybe it's just the digital immigrant in me, but I don't think so this time. The internet not only facilitates communication between teenagers, but it also makes it easier for those would do harm to them. This compounded with the fact that adolescents go through significant hormone changes, is a really bad combination. I think we have to remember that no all parents/adults are deliberately trying to belittle their teenagers into a identity oblivion! The internet makes it hard for parents to protect kids, and that is why we have to proceed with caution. It's not just predation, though. Identity theft, scams, bullying, and many other negative situations can occur. The internet is fantastic, but left unchecked, can really hurt us. For all of its good, in my opinion, there are equal and proportionate negatives.
Listen Up! It's Listen Up! Oh my, that's Lame...
Finally, a median for teenagers to express themselves artistically with the support, yes support not control, of adults. The website Listen Up is much like a YouTube, but I noticed that the quality of the videos are far better and so is the site's mission:
Listen Up! is a youth media network that connects young video producers and their allies to resources, support, and projects in order to develop the field and achieve an authentic youth voice in the mass media.
Instead of some website or film company exploiting the image and identity of teenagers for the almighty dollar, it seems that we have stumbled upon a haven for adolescent artistic cultivation! It's like a breath of fresh air. I get really positive vibes from what I read on here. For example, right from the homepage, you can see the headings "Educators," "Producers," and "Media Partners" which, to me, already gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Seeing collaboration to hold up the teenager, rather than keep him/her down, is something we all have been waiting to see this semester.
The teenagers depicted on Listen Up must have something wrong with them. Every single one. Never in my life have I ever seen teens so motivated, hard working, creative, and thoughtful in all my life! Everyone knows that teens are just the opposite. I refuse to believe that Listen Up really would want to portray teens in a positive light! What do they get out of it? Stupid and idiotic acting teens means cash! Just look at Superbad!
Ok, ok, I'll turn the sarcasm off now! I am reminded of Christensen's discussion of how the untruths created by the media distort what really happens. I remember one of our first classes, when we talked about the dominant discourses and how we need to wear different glasses. In the case of Listen Up, we can read the text as is. It gives teenagers a voice in cultural vaccum, where their perspectives, thoughts and ideas are irrelivent or distorted. The website is genuine. For that reason alone, it should be applauded.
But if I may head down a differnt path for a second, there is something else that I liked about Listen Up. It's not only about kids, it's also about art. In a time where anything art related is on the economic chopping block, a website embracing youth art is just so great to see. The site also provides information for educators, should their school districts actually have any interest in the fine arts... *Sigh*
Listen Up! is a youth media network that connects young video producers and their allies to resources, support, and projects in order to develop the field and achieve an authentic youth voice in the mass media.
Instead of some website or film company exploiting the image and identity of teenagers for the almighty dollar, it seems that we have stumbled upon a haven for adolescent artistic cultivation! It's like a breath of fresh air. I get really positive vibes from what I read on here. For example, right from the homepage, you can see the headings "Educators," "Producers," and "Media Partners" which, to me, already gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Seeing collaboration to hold up the teenager, rather than keep him/her down, is something we all have been waiting to see this semester.
The teenagers depicted on Listen Up must have something wrong with them. Every single one. Never in my life have I ever seen teens so motivated, hard working, creative, and thoughtful in all my life! Everyone knows that teens are just the opposite. I refuse to believe that Listen Up really would want to portray teens in a positive light! What do they get out of it? Stupid and idiotic acting teens means cash! Just look at Superbad!
Ok, ok, I'll turn the sarcasm off now! I am reminded of Christensen's discussion of how the untruths created by the media distort what really happens. I remember one of our first classes, when we talked about the dominant discourses and how we need to wear different glasses. In the case of Listen Up, we can read the text as is. It gives teenagers a voice in cultural vaccum, where their perspectives, thoughts and ideas are irrelivent or distorted. The website is genuine. For that reason alone, it should be applauded.
But if I may head down a differnt path for a second, there is something else that I liked about Listen Up. It's not only about kids, it's also about art. In a time where anything art related is on the economic chopping block, a website embracing youth art is just so great to see. The site also provides information for educators, should their school districts actually have any interest in the fine arts... *Sigh*
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Donald Carcieri for Vice President of the United States!?
I Wiki'd (if it's not a verb, it is now!) Don Carcieri today becuase I was reading some Projo article about how he is cutting everything known to man, and I came across this:
http://www.redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/dark_horse_veep_watch_don_carcieri_gov_ri
Wikipedia actually sourced that as truth...
Could you imagine? McCain/Carcieri? Canada anyone?
http://www.redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/dark_horse_veep_watch_don_carcieri_gov_ri
Wikipedia actually sourced that as truth...
Could you imagine? McCain/Carcieri? Canada anyone?
New Pictures~
I posted some new pictures in the margins of the blog! I just love the messages that they contain! And what is so great about these is... they want you to use them! No copyright crap.
If any of you are interested, there are many many more at...
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/
If any of you are interested, there are many many more at...
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Googly Eyes!
Oh dear Lord, I can't stop posting! LOL
This is hysterical. . . I just love Christopher Walken!
This is hysterical. . . I just love Christopher Walken!
Our Sister WMST Course - Holocaust Women & a Culture of Defiance
Hey all! I just wanted to let you know that our sister WMST 350 course this semester, Dr. Patterson's Holocaust Women & a Culture Defiance, has created an artifact blog! It's basically a blog of various media forms related to the Jewish Holocaust and those events of genocide that are still occurring today.
It is a closed forum for posting but, by all means, browse around and let me know what you think! Students will be posting stuff there all this week, and it should be done by Thursday.
http://wmst350.blogspot.com/
It is a closed forum for posting but, by all means, browse around and let me know what you think! Students will be posting stuff there all this week, and it should be done by Thursday.
http://wmst350.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
YouTube and American Democracy
You name it, you can find it on YouTube. Commercials, snippets of programs, home videos, artistic expressions, and so much more can be found on the world's favorite video library.
But when it comes to politics, YouTube has changed the rules of the game. Now people who either support or oppose certain candidates can make videos and post them for all to see - over and over and over again! Any political misstatements or gaffs are also fodder for YouTube. Stop for a second and try to think of one. Perhaps it was the infamous "Macaca" comment made by Senator George Allen of Virginia to an Indian political opponent, or more recently, the whimsical Obama Girl "lovingly" throwing her support behind her man.
All of this puts tremendous pressure on political candidates to be completely flawless, all the time. In fact, what is one of the most common statements people not into politics make about people running for office? The all sound the same! They talk out of both sides of their mouth! They all make the same promises they never keep! I argue, much like Lauren Greenfield argues the media is a homogenizing force for teenagers, that YouTube compounded with the twenty four hour news channel, has homogenized America's political candidates.
What happened to the days when politicians had character and weren't afraid to be tough and speak their minds. Like, when I see Hilary Clinton continually dodging the "Do you regret giving the Bush administration authorization to invade Iraq?" I want to jump through the screen and give her a piece of my mind! Tell us the truth! You thought it was a good idea at the time, but NOW YOU DO REGRET IT! The problem is, because of digital vortexes like YouTube, the moment she says it, it will be forever there at the forefront. There is no end of the news cycle with YouTube... it is perpetual, never ending. What it creates is a new breed of weak politicians who cater to the cameras and we never see who they truly are.
I love YouTube, I really do. I do think, however, that it is acting like a homogenizing force for people running for elected office in the United States. When we obsess about every mistake and gaff that a politician makes, two people running for the same office appear to be each other's ideological doppelganger.
Were Allen's comments worthy of him being blasted by the media? You bet! But without YouTube, I think there is a chance he'd still be in office. Now what happens when the comments are less inflamatory, but its still a "political mistake?" Does that pretend Senator deserve to lose his job? Thoughts?
But when it comes to politics, YouTube has changed the rules of the game. Now people who either support or oppose certain candidates can make videos and post them for all to see - over and over and over again! Any political misstatements or gaffs are also fodder for YouTube. Stop for a second and try to think of one. Perhaps it was the infamous "Macaca" comment made by Senator George Allen of Virginia to an Indian political opponent, or more recently, the whimsical Obama Girl "lovingly" throwing her support behind her man.
All of this puts tremendous pressure on political candidates to be completely flawless, all the time. In fact, what is one of the most common statements people not into politics make about people running for office? The all sound the same! They talk out of both sides of their mouth! They all make the same promises they never keep! I argue, much like Lauren Greenfield argues the media is a homogenizing force for teenagers, that YouTube compounded with the twenty four hour news channel, has homogenized America's political candidates.
What happened to the days when politicians had character and weren't afraid to be tough and speak their minds. Like, when I see Hilary Clinton continually dodging the "Do you regret giving the Bush administration authorization to invade Iraq?" I want to jump through the screen and give her a piece of my mind! Tell us the truth! You thought it was a good idea at the time, but NOW YOU DO REGRET IT! The problem is, because of digital vortexes like YouTube, the moment she says it, it will be forever there at the forefront. There is no end of the news cycle with YouTube... it is perpetual, never ending. What it creates is a new breed of weak politicians who cater to the cameras and we never see who they truly are.
I love YouTube, I really do. I do think, however, that it is acting like a homogenizing force for people running for elected office in the United States. When we obsess about every mistake and gaff that a politician makes, two people running for the same office appear to be each other's ideological doppelganger.
Were Allen's comments worthy of him being blasted by the media? You bet! But without YouTube, I think there is a chance he'd still be in office. Now what happens when the comments are less inflamatory, but its still a "political mistake?" Does that pretend Senator deserve to lose his job? Thoughts?
Where is the McLovin? Superbad and the American Teenager
Never in all of my years have I heard so many references to sex, alcohol, and the male sexual organ in the first five minutes of a movie! Superbad is indeed as bad as the name implies, but it wasn't just the bawdy and mischievous behavior of the protagonists that made it so. I mean, I wasn't expecting this to be up for an Academy Award, but I certainly wasn't expecting this level of adult content in a teen oriented production! What is so terrible about this movie are the messages that the audience are exposed to by viewing this.
Superbad validates the dominant discourse in the United States that teenagers are crazy and irrational beings who will break/ignore all laws in order to achieve their ultimate goals - sex, drugs, and alcohol. This is by no means an implicit goal - it is the movie's thematic intent. The protagonists, Evan and Seth, who were social outcasts in their high school, sought to increase their social capital by providing alcohol for a huge party of their peers, being thrown in celebration of graduation. In so doing, the teens would "score" with their respective love interests.
With the assistance of a mutual friend Fogell, the boys were able to procure a fake ID with the pseudo name, McLovin. Fogell goes into the liquor store and was successfully able to purchase the alcohol, but was attacked by a man robbing the store. Evan and Seth, who were outside, see the police arrive and flee - realizing they now need to find another way to supply liquor for the party, and more importantly, the women. Fogell somehow ends up on a joyride with the police officers who were supposed to take him home. It is clear that the police characters are jealous of McLovin's (Fogell's) youthful antics, and desire to live vicariously though him. They go off shooting guns, attacking people, drinking in bars, and burning police cars because... that's what teens do right? We do not learn until later in the film that the police officers were actually aware that Fogell was not over twenty one, but they were inspired to be crazy and reckless like the teenagers they once were. Two adults, who just happen to be police officers, wishing they could act like stereotypical teenagers, cannot be helpful in breaking down the dominant discourse discussed earlier.
While Seth and Evan were successful in the end in providing the party with alcohol, neither were pleased with the results. Evan was about live out his dream of sleeping with his love interest, but because she was so intoxicated, he was completely turned off and chose not to continue. Seth was shocked to find that the women he had worked so hard to get liquor for, did not even drink. When he tried to put the moves on her, he accidentally headbutted her in the face.
The two girls and the protagonists make up in the end, but the moral of the movie is basically "don't act like a teenager, and bad stuff won't happen." Is this the right moral to be teaching? Are all teenagers really like this? Absolutely not. Superbad lumps all teenagers into this stereotypical sex driven, perpetual party goer role. Additionally, the way the movie treats race and domestic violence leaves much to be desired. Seth, when apologizing to the women he accidentally headbutted, remarked "you look cute with a black eye."
On a personal note, I found this movie utterly repulsive and not funny at all. I think it glorifies the actions of the main characters, and perpetuates the dominant discourse of teenagers as irrational and mischievous beings. We all know, that only a mere fraction of teens truly act like this.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Spring has Sprung!
I am SO excited! It's warm and sunny... Spring is finally here!
I can't wait until it's warm all the time!
I can't wait until it's warm all the time!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Maury's Most Out of Control Teenagers of 2007!
Oh, oh, this is epic! I was doing my normal YouTube romp when I came across this lovely tidbit! The fact that Maury, who is by no means the paragon of morality himself, had a show like this is pathetic. What message is he sending by airing this?
Please note the teenager who said that she would have sex for a double cheeseburger at the end of the video. Magnificent huh?
Map of the Internets!
So, my friend Ashley was telling me that people are trying to map out the internet based on how much space certain websites/internet thingies take up in the intertubes! That is my very technical assesment! :P
Enjoy! It's kind of interesting!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Perspectives on Kid Nation
Just a disclaimer: I have never seen a single episode of Kid Nation, but from what I gather, this is pretty accurate.
From the official website:
In the end, will these kids prove to adults everywhere--and to their own parents--that they have the vision to build a better world than the pioneers who came before them? Just as importantly, will they come together as a cohesive unit, or will they abandon all responsibility and succumb to the childhood temptations that lead to round-the-clock chaos?
In this seemingly harmless explanation of the reality television show Kid Nation, CBS capitalizes on the perceived mental and physical weaknesses of teenagers created by American society, and perpetuated by the American mainstream media. Based on all the negative press swirling around this program, I can deduce that the teenagers that participated were unable to form that "cohesive unit" discussed in the summary, and opted to be stereotypically crazy and reckless teenagers. While it seemed that CBS wanted to prove that teenagers were able to be rational and self-sustaining, even if the program ended on such a chord, it is likely that this program did more harm than good. In fact, based on this week's articles, this program may have been disastrous!
According to Ellen Goodman's 'Kid Nation': CBS' New Reality Show Creates Little Capitalists (Found on AlterNet, which I love!), in addition to upholding that negative view of teenagers discussed earlier, it taught the participants how important the separations of class and labor are in a society. From the get go, the group was split into a sort of caste system: the upper class (Goodman could have easily interchanged this term with capitalist class), merchants, cooks, and finally the bottom of the barrel, laborers. Goodman feels that we shouldn't be surprised by these divisions and the fierce sense of competition, as it is merely a microcosm of the society that we live in today! A society where a small fragment of the population has a monopoly on the economic, social, and political capital. I agree wholeheartedly with her!
But, why would parents allow their children to participate in a television programs that explicitly portrays teenagers as imbeciles and comic relief, while implicitly validating the grossly unfair class system in the United States?! Oh.... duh!
I loved this quote from the Daum article:
A few decades ago, these same folks might have been pushing their kids to win a science fair. But now that the culture of celebrity worship spans several generations, and because it's a biological imperative for parents to want for their children what they couldn't attain themselves, it makes perfect sense that some may want to see their kids on reality shows more than they want them becoming doctors.
From the official website:
In the end, will these kids prove to adults everywhere--and to their own parents--that they have the vision to build a better world than the pioneers who came before them? Just as importantly, will they come together as a cohesive unit, or will they abandon all responsibility and succumb to the childhood temptations that lead to round-the-clock chaos?
In this seemingly harmless explanation of the reality television show Kid Nation, CBS capitalizes on the perceived mental and physical weaknesses of teenagers created by American society, and perpetuated by the American mainstream media. Based on all the negative press swirling around this program, I can deduce that the teenagers that participated were unable to form that "cohesive unit" discussed in the summary, and opted to be stereotypically crazy and reckless teenagers. While it seemed that CBS wanted to prove that teenagers were able to be rational and self-sustaining, even if the program ended on such a chord, it is likely that this program did more harm than good. In fact, based on this week's articles, this program may have been disastrous!
According to Ellen Goodman's 'Kid Nation': CBS' New Reality Show Creates Little Capitalists (Found on AlterNet, which I love!), in addition to upholding that negative view of teenagers discussed earlier, it taught the participants how important the separations of class and labor are in a society. From the get go, the group was split into a sort of caste system: the upper class (Goodman could have easily interchanged this term with capitalist class), merchants, cooks, and finally the bottom of the barrel, laborers. Goodman feels that we shouldn't be surprised by these divisions and the fierce sense of competition, as it is merely a microcosm of the society that we live in today! A society where a small fragment of the population has a monopoly on the economic, social, and political capital. I agree wholeheartedly with her!
But, why would parents allow their children to participate in a television programs that explicitly portrays teenagers as imbeciles and comic relief, while implicitly validating the grossly unfair class system in the United States?! Oh.... duh!
I loved this quote from the Daum article:A few decades ago, these same folks might have been pushing their kids to win a science fair. But now that the culture of celebrity worship spans several generations, and because it's a biological imperative for parents to want for their children what they couldn't attain themselves, it makes perfect sense that some may want to see their kids on reality shows more than they want them becoming doctors.
Who cares about a science fair or becoming a doctor when my child can be on a reality television show! Parental motivation for this, Daum argues, is that they feel that exposure of their children through the media protects them against "invisibility." She believes that its not just about achievements, but rather public achievements would be far more fruitful in the long run.
I really wished I had watched this show. I feel guilty saying that after bashing it... but it does sound funny :P I am interested to find out the racial and economic backgrounds of the participants, and the eventual winner(s). I'll bet you a dollar the winner(s) were mostly white and male...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sign Says: Long Haired Freaky People... Need Not Apply.
So, I was talking to Jen recently about an new online job search site called "The Ladders" whose slogan is "100k+ jobs for 100k+ people." They are currently airing a commercial that has a white upper middle class man playing tennis... when all of a sudden, all of these people come out of no where and ruin his tennis game. The spot mocks all of the other job sites for allowing "others," meaning the rif-raf of the working class, from competing for jobs in which they don't belong. I was so offended... please check it out!
Here Come the Updates!
Ok, I'm back on track! I have a couple blogs I have to write still but now I have some time to do it. It's been a hectic couple of weeks!
I may be back on track, but this train is clearly not!
Bad, Badder, Baddest! Teenagers in the News!
So last night, while I was searching the internets for some news articles about teenagers, I came to the realization that there are hardly any that depicted teenagers in a good light! Every headline was "teen killed in a freak accident" or "teenagers did something dumb." The stories were all about how teens are morally weak or lacking judgement and in dire need of some sort of guide.
The assignment we were given was to examine three news articles that were somehow related to teens, taking into account how society has constructed and connected the negative connotation of youth and inexperience to adolescence. I picked three random articles: the first was an ABC commentary called Why Teens Act Like Teens, Breaking it Down: Beware the Teenage Brain, the second was from a Minnesota television station KARE called Teen Pregnancy on the Rise in Minnesota, and finally I went international and looked at a melancholy Reuters UK article named Teenager Accused of Murder of 14-year-old.
First, and my favorite, was the ABC article Why Teens Act Like Teens because it buys into all the negative stereotypes about teenagers. According to the commentator, who isn't named anywhere on the article, there are scientific reasons why teens act the way they do. Of course, it's full of sarcasm. Like this tidbit, "Sometimes I want to throw up my hands, grab my hair and shout in exasperation: TEENAGERS!!" The article argues that judgement and self-control is impaired during the adolescent phase, but we should we compassionate because "their brains have not yet caught up with their bodies." I really don't know what to make of this, and I question any science without seeing the results myself.
The second news snippet was Teen Pregnancy on the Rise in Minnesota and is basically self-explanatory. While the author Jenna Healy writes this article in an objective manner, the state officials that she interviewed clearly do not. The official named blames the "fighting about what kind of information teenagers should get in this internet era means we are clearly behind the times." Is this person blaming the internet for the failings of the state government? Hmm. Another interesting point in this article was the raw statistics. Not surprisingly Hispanic/Latina groups had the highest rate of teen pregnancy, American Indian, African American, Asian, and White respectively. Of course, the article does not talk about the possible reasons that minority ethnic groups have higher rates - like... heath care access?!
Finally, was the terrible UK article called Teenager Accused of Murder of 14-year-old. Apparently, a 17 year old boy killed fellow teenager over a $10 debt. This article would be straightforward and to the point if they didn't put the part in about the nationality of the perpetrator's family. I fail to see why mentioning that the boy's family was from Egypt has anything to do with the crime. This article feeds into, perhaps indirectly, the stereotype that Muslims are dangerous.
It would be remiss if I didn't say that there were indeed some articles mentioning teens in a good light, but they were few and far between the death and destruction!
The assignment we were given was to examine three news articles that were somehow related to teens, taking into account how society has constructed and connected the negative connotation of youth and inexperience to adolescence. I picked three random articles: the first was an ABC commentary called Why Teens Act Like Teens, Breaking it Down: Beware the Teenage Brain, the second was from a Minnesota television station KARE called Teen Pregnancy on the Rise in Minnesota, and finally I went international and looked at a melancholy Reuters UK article named Teenager Accused of Murder of 14-year-old.
First, and my favorite, was the ABC article Why Teens Act Like Teens because it buys into all the negative stereotypes about teenagers. According to the commentator, who isn't named anywhere on the article, there are scientific reasons why teens act the way they do. Of course, it's full of sarcasm. Like this tidbit, "Sometimes I want to throw up my hands, grab my hair and shout in exasperation: TEENAGERS!!" The article argues that judgement and self-control is impaired during the adolescent phase, but we should we compassionate because "their brains have not yet caught up with their bodies." I really don't know what to make of this, and I question any science without seeing the results myself.
The second news snippet was Teen Pregnancy on the Rise in Minnesota and is basically self-explanatory. While the author Jenna Healy writes this article in an objective manner, the state officials that she interviewed clearly do not. The official named blames the "fighting about what kind of information teenagers should get in this internet era means we are clearly behind the times." Is this person blaming the internet for the failings of the state government? Hmm. Another interesting point in this article was the raw statistics. Not surprisingly Hispanic/Latina groups had the highest rate of teen pregnancy, American Indian, African American, Asian, and White respectively. Of course, the article does not talk about the possible reasons that minority ethnic groups have higher rates - like... heath care access?!
Finally, was the terrible UK article called Teenager Accused of Murder of 14-year-old. Apparently, a 17 year old boy killed fellow teenager over a $10 debt. This article would be straightforward and to the point if they didn't put the part in about the nationality of the perpetrator's family. I fail to see why mentioning that the boy's family was from Egypt has anything to do with the crime. This article feeds into, perhaps indirectly, the stereotype that Muslims are dangerous.
It would be remiss if I didn't say that there were indeed some articles mentioning teens in a good light, but they were few and far between the death and destruction!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Lauren Greenfield's "Fast Forward"
"Although trends come and go, especially among teenagers, I was intrigued by the role of the media as a homogenizing force. Against the foil of obvious material and cultural differences, I began to explore the ways in which young people from diverse backgrounds are similarly influenced by a popular culture they share."
To think that all teenagers all have something in common because of the influences of popular culture, regardless of cultural and economic differences, is a really interesting thought. I know that pop culture does influence us, but Lauren Greenfield takes it a step further and says that it "homogenizing force." A claim like that certainly warrants some evidence, which she lays out in Fast Forward. To defend her hypothesis, Greenfield took a video journal of teenage students from her Alma mater high school in Los Angeles. The pictures are a candid and vivid affirmation of her claim, that what teens see and hear will ultimately draw them to make similar choices. These choices, Greenfield argues, kind of makes all teens dress, act, and desire all in the same ways.
The photos that Greenfield puts forward in her journal, to me, suggest two things: first is that teens are growing up way too fast, and second they are terribly lazy. Perhaps the best example of this is the boy who had belly dancers at his bar mitzvah. I don't know how old he is exactly, and maybe I am being culturally insensitive by saying this, but I think it is inappropriate to have scantily clad women frolicking around young kids. I think Greenfield is trying to tell us here that even if the child did want the belly dancers, the fact that the parents allowed it means that they too have been influenced by this force of popular culture.
Another moving (and a little disgusting) photo was the plastic surgery on a teen's nose. In a world where there are television shows called Nip and Tuck where plastic surgery is just another thing, these teens feel that it is necessary to alter their physical appearance to fit in, to strive to be the normative teenager that the media depicts are "beautiful."
But what did Greenfield mean when she said that the media served to homogenize teens even across class lines? In one of the photos, a Hispanic teen is standing outside his modest home all decked out in his tuxedo. It was the day of his senior prom. The media teaches us that it is important to go all out on your prom night, even if it is beyond your economic means. It is clear from the photo that he comes from a working-class home, so this prom was extra special. He probably worked really hard to save money for that night. As a result, it was a family affair to see him off. His whole family was out in front of his house to see him off. Would this have occurred if the young man was rich? I forgot who it was, but someone in our class had said that the prom was just another day for one of their friends because they were used to formal events. Clearly, to this boy and his family, it was much more.
Now, when he arrived at his prom, it is likely he was just another kid, and all of those class differences were left behind. Everyone was likely dressed the same, all had a limo, all danced to the same music. It homogenized the entire group. If just for a moment, he was equal with all of his peers.
To think that all teenagers all have something in common because of the influences of popular culture, regardless of cultural and economic differences, is a really interesting thought. I know that pop culture does influence us, but Lauren Greenfield takes it a step further and says that it "homogenizing force." A claim like that certainly warrants some evidence, which she lays out in Fast Forward. To defend her hypothesis, Greenfield took a video journal of teenage students from her Alma mater high school in Los Angeles. The pictures are a candid and vivid affirmation of her claim, that what teens see and hear will ultimately draw them to make similar choices. These choices, Greenfield argues, kind of makes all teens dress, act, and desire all in the same ways.
The photos that Greenfield puts forward in her journal, to me, suggest two things: first is that teens are growing up way too fast, and second they are terribly lazy. Perhaps the best example of this is the boy who had belly dancers at his bar mitzvah. I don't know how old he is exactly, and maybe I am being culturally insensitive by saying this, but I think it is inappropriate to have scantily clad women frolicking around young kids. I think Greenfield is trying to tell us here that even if the child did want the belly dancers, the fact that the parents allowed it means that they too have been influenced by this force of popular culture.
Another moving (and a little disgusting) photo was the plastic surgery on a teen's nose. In a world where there are television shows called Nip and Tuck where plastic surgery is just another thing, these teens feel that it is necessary to alter their physical appearance to fit in, to strive to be the normative teenager that the media depicts are "beautiful."
But what did Greenfield mean when she said that the media served to homogenize teens even across class lines? In one of the photos, a Hispanic teen is standing outside his modest home all decked out in his tuxedo. It was the day of his senior prom. The media teaches us that it is important to go all out on your prom night, even if it is beyond your economic means. It is clear from the photo that he comes from a working-class home, so this prom was extra special. He probably worked really hard to save money for that night. As a result, it was a family affair to see him off. His whole family was out in front of his house to see him off. Would this have occurred if the young man was rich? I forgot who it was, but someone in our class had said that the prom was just another day for one of their friends because they were used to formal events. Clearly, to this boy and his family, it was much more.
Now, when he arrived at his prom, it is likely he was just another kid, and all of those class differences were left behind. Everyone was likely dressed the same, all had a limo, all danced to the same music. It homogenized the entire group. If just for a moment, he was equal with all of his peers.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
This was Not a Picture Perfect Day...
This is part of the E-mail I sent to Dr. Bogad.
Dr. Bogad,
I had a bit of a issue with the photo project, and I wanted to write this to make you aware of it.
This week, my family and I went to our timeshare in North Carolina. With nothing but the greatest intentions, I brought my digital camera so I could take some pictures of teenagers in action! Problem is, since the apartment is in a older tourist laden area, there were like... no teens. I mean none. My mother and I went searching for teens, but instead we found elderly men playing bocci. lol
So I came home late on Saturday, and decided that I would spend the whole day Sunday gathering some pictures. I headed to the Warwick Mall today at 12:30 with camera in hand, and got ready to snap some pictures. The first one I took was a group of teens in the food court. Perfect! So I get in close (but not too close) and snap a picture. I turn to walk away and a women was standing behind me with a tray of food. She demanded to know why I was taking a picture of her kids (mind you, if she had that many kids she'd be old mother Hubbard... anyway). I calmly explained to her why I was doing that, in great detail, but she did not want to hear it. She was demanding that I delete it.
Dr. Bogad, she caused SUCH a scene it was ridiculous. She got right in my face. She wanted your name and everything... I was so scared. Terrified and mortified. Since she was so loud, other people around her were agreeing that what I was doing was wrong. I walked out in tears...
---
Did anyone else have a similar experience? lol
Dr. Bogad,
I had a bit of a issue with the photo project, and I wanted to write this to make you aware of it.
This week, my family and I went to our timeshare in North Carolina. With nothing but the greatest intentions, I brought my digital camera so I could take some pictures of teenagers in action! Problem is, since the apartment is in a older tourist laden area, there were like... no teens. I mean none. My mother and I went searching for teens, but instead we found elderly men playing bocci. lol
So I came home late on Saturday, and decided that I would spend the whole day Sunday gathering some pictures. I headed to the Warwick Mall today at 12:30 with camera in hand, and got ready to snap some pictures. The first one I took was a group of teens in the food court. Perfect! So I get in close (but not too close) and snap a picture. I turn to walk away and a women was standing behind me with a tray of food. She demanded to know why I was taking a picture of her kids (mind you, if she had that many kids she'd be old mother Hubbard... anyway). I calmly explained to her why I was doing that, in great detail, but she did not want to hear it. She was demanding that I delete it.
Dr. Bogad, she caused SUCH a scene it was ridiculous. She got right in my face. She wanted your name and everything... I was so scared. Terrified and mortified. Since she was so loud, other people around her were agreeing that what I was doing was wrong. I walked out in tears...
---
Did anyone else have a similar experience? lol
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
For Danielle and Others Wondering about 'PWND'
A few classes back, TJ and I were talking about internet language. If you recall, we were talking about the word "pwnd." Danielle wrote a comment on one of my blogs:
nick, i've been meaning to post this since last class, i'm a bit of a procrastinator [wow, did i spell that right? seems awfully long?]anyway, when you and TJ were talking about "pwned" in class my inner nerd wanted to jump in the conversation, but i kept it quiet. i think i may be the ultra nerd
Let it out Danielle! I urge everyone to express their inner nerd!
This is one of a million internet examples of pwn - some can be quite shocking and provocative.
nick, i've been meaning to post this since last class, i'm a bit of a procrastinator [wow, did i spell that right? seems awfully long?]anyway, when you and TJ were talking about "pwned" in class my inner nerd wanted to jump in the conversation, but i kept it quiet. i think i may be the ultra nerd
Let it out Danielle! I urge everyone to express their inner nerd!
This is one of a million internet examples of pwn - some can be quite shocking and provocative.
New Poll!
The other poll wasn't doing it for me. This one is up my alley.
Vote Smart. Vote Democrat!
On Hip Hop
I must admit, before Monday's lecture I was skeptical of anything that presented "rap" in a positive light. While I have always respected it as an art form, I have always associated it with violent and misogynistic messages that served no purpose other than to promote and perpetuate interracial violence.
I was surprised to learn that I was correct, but it is not the fault of the artists. The culture and business of hip hop, like so many other industries, has fallen victim to corporate America's hegemony on nearly all aspects of society. In short, these companies demanded that rappers distort what hip hop was originally, and forge the new cultural identity we see today.
I certainly hope the opposition is able to tear down this false representation of the culture, but in the same token, I wonder it it is too late. It is difficult to strip down cultural constructs after they have stood for so long.
Anyway, a big kudos to Marco on a fabulous presentation. It was fun!
I was surprised to learn that I was correct, but it is not the fault of the artists. The culture and business of hip hop, like so many other industries, has fallen victim to corporate America's hegemony on nearly all aspects of society. In short, these companies demanded that rappers distort what hip hop was originally, and forge the new cultural identity we see today.
I certainly hope the opposition is able to tear down this false representation of the culture, but in the same token, I wonder it it is too late. It is difficult to strip down cultural constructs after they have stood for so long.
Anyway, a big kudos to Marco on a fabulous presentation. It was fun!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Rose and "A Style and Nobody Can Deal With: Politics, Style, and the Postindustrial City in Hip Hop"
If you can't tell by my last post, this article was tough to digest. I found myself reading, then re-reading passages over and over again. Not going to lie, the article left me in left field many times. It's Ok though, I got through it!
Rose discusses the history of hip hop culture in postindustrial America, focusing greatly on New York City. Many people think of hip hop as specifically rap, but Rose argues that rap is only a small part of a larger cultural phenomenon. She explains that the importance of the hip hop properties of flow, layering, and rupture reflect and contest the social roles accessible to inner city youth. (402)
The concept of identity was also an important topic in her discussion. Compounded with the economic and social problems facing lower income and minority areas, many young people turned to a new community dynamic - the formation of gangs as a means of support in a very complex and unyielding environment (407) Hip hop became synonymous with gangs, and was used as an expression the societal norm.
While I struggled with the wording, I really liked how she dismantled hip hop and urban life in a academic way. This would be the first time I have ever seen an analysis of urban culture. I found it quite interesting. I really like how she says that because people in urban areas struggled to fit in the greater cultural mold because of deindustrialization they, in essence, created their own culture. I think people outside that culture, me included, sometimes do not understand the positive messages that hip hop gives young people. We automatically assume that "rap is bad," when much of it does indeed give messages of hope to kids living in pretty dire circumstances.
Rose discusses the history of hip hop culture in postindustrial America, focusing greatly on New York City. Many people think of hip hop as specifically rap, but Rose argues that rap is only a small part of a larger cultural phenomenon. She explains that the importance of the hip hop properties of flow, layering, and rupture reflect and contest the social roles accessible to inner city youth. (402)
The concept of identity was also an important topic in her discussion. Compounded with the economic and social problems facing lower income and minority areas, many young people turned to a new community dynamic - the formation of gangs as a means of support in a very complex and unyielding environment (407) Hip hop became synonymous with gangs, and was used as an expression the societal norm.
While I struggled with the wording, I really liked how she dismantled hip hop and urban life in a academic way. This would be the first time I have ever seen an analysis of urban culture. I found it quite interesting. I really like how she says that because people in urban areas struggled to fit in the greater cultural mold because of deindustrialization they, in essence, created their own culture. I think people outside that culture, me included, sometimes do not understand the positive messages that hip hop gives young people. We automatically assume that "rap is bad," when much of it does indeed give messages of hope to kids living in pretty dire circumstances.
Rose and the Hip Hop... Whaaa?
Ok... ok... I read Rose and am in awe at the flowery language! Problem is, I think I need to read it again. It didn't quite sink in... so busy translating it into the vernacular! I didn't expect this! More to come! For now, this article gets a...
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